Did Zira really die?

[Marked Queen]

To Quote Zira on the question of "Do you think Zira really died?"

"nooo...neeever!!"

Enough said, the Queen lives! Get your RP pants on and prove this kitty wrong! ^.^

[TheLionPrince]

Yes, she's dead! Even in the original version of Zira's death, she commits suicide, which means "to kill oneself". The filmmakers edited out all hints of suicide, and still kept her demise intact.

Another way to plainly state Zira died is that during the 1990s, Disney officially began their tradition of killing off the main antaganist except in Aladdin (because Jafar is a genie, and genies can't die because they are supernatural), Pocahontas, and Hercules (because Hades is immortal, so he can't die). So, the filmmakers of TLKII were just following a tradition.

Also, the filmmakers obviously must have cared about these characters (especially Zira) because they knew it would be silly if Zira just all of a sudden "converted". She was so delusional in her mindset that there was no hope for her. So, in order for the main characters to enjoy their happy ending, she had to be killed off.

Now, in the general context of the film, she falls into the raging river with logs very much like Mufasa fell into the stampede. The last shot of her shows only her paw, hinting her whole body is submerged and overtaken by the waters. That shot alone should confirm her passing. But, if it doesn’t, then, let’s compare her demise to Mufasa’s. Scar must have known that Mufasa was strong enough to survive the impact of the fall, so that's why he had the wildebeest in place to ensure his demise. Since it’s possible that Mufasa could have survived the fall, it’s possible Zira could have survived her fall if not for the log-infested rivers. So, TLK lions can survive from falling from high heights, but another severe factor below is what sealed their fate.

It is true that lions can swim, but the current was too strong for her to swim, and working against her. Along with that, she couldn't just grab a log, and float downstream, because the logs were too slippery to grab hold of, and Zira wouldn't be able to hold onto the log because of the oppresive current. Also, since the logs were working against her, it’s possible that the force from the logs could have knocked her cold dead.

In the end, it seems to me that Zira died a very brutal death now that I think about it.

[Vish]

I really don't know. I think she didn't since it is really that rough of a flood.
Also it lasted only for 3 seconds when she fell into the water.
Also she was holding onto a log for life support.

She might of broken a few bones.

[SlayerOfLight]

Zira was a bit of an old lioness, so she wouldn't have the strenght to save herself out of the river. And therefore, I conclude that Zira ended up sleeping with the fishes.

[mamaprince]

[quote="Nicholas"]Zira was a bit of an old lioness, so she wouldn't have the strenght to save herself out of the river. And therefore, I conclude that Zira ended up sleeping with the fishes.[/quote]
i agree with you there. i think she was old , and wouldn't be able to fight the waters. i think she drowned.

[Ananda]

It's a Disney movie. The fall of an evil character is Disney's way to tell people that the character is dead.

[mamaprince]

Disney always kills off the villains in the movies. it's just how it goes .

[Ananda]

[quote="mamaprince"]Disney always kills off the villains in the movies. it's just how it goes .[/quote]

Not really. Cinderella's stepmother lived after all.

[mamaprince]

really ? wow. i guess i should watch that , what Cinderella was that ?

[Ananda]

[quote="mamaprince"]really ? wow. i guess i should watch that , what Cinderella was that ?[/quote]

Cinderella, the 1950 Disney movie. You never watched it?