This Week's Poll - And My Absence

[bladestarr]

Hey all, I've been away for quite some time and might still be. I've just gotten into an MBA program at my local university and am holding two part time jobs at the same time to make ends meet so I'm probably not going to be around for while. I'll still be watching you mutants so you better keep producing those high quality articles, or you will be hearing from the Bloviator of Doom (© and ™ 2003 by Hucklebubba and BladeStarr)! ;D

Anyways, onto the real reason I'm making the post. I love a good Disney film like the next man, but I must say I'm apalled at the number of responses for the Lion King. For those of you that voted for that particular piece of work, I must point you to the included link. I just prefer a Disney film where they ADMIT to their sources, rather than calling their story "original" like Disney producer Don Hahn states in this article and denying that Osamu Tezuka had 'any influence' on the movie. No, I think I'd rather take a movie 'ripped' from Dutchman that involves a big hairy dog and some tastefully placed seashells, thank you very much!

[TheOogieBoogieMan]

Wow...I'm never gonna look at that movie the same way again.

Plus, I just got the reference from the Simpsons:

"You must avenge my death, Kimba...I mean, Simba."


And three, I think Aladdin is a much better musical, and voted that way, so no guilt there.

[PoolMan]

I've heard the Kimba the White Lion thing before, but I might point out that I read a plot summary in an anime guide that Madler has. There's a whole thing about being lost at sea and hunters in there too. So is someone just inferring real copying, or has anyone here actually seen both and figures that they ARE that much alike?

[Lissa]

I don't care. The Lion King was still a phenomenal movie for more reasons than just the plot. It was character driven, and the characters were phenomenal. Scar is one of the. best. villians. ever; the hyenas are phenomenal evil sidekicks (Ed?) and Simba is an extremely complex hero for a Disney movie. The writing is amazing, and I still tear up when Mufasa dies because that scene is SO well done. Voice acting is tremendous, the songs are some of the best Disney's ever had (thanks Elton!) and the animation is great.

My pick is Mulan anyway, becaue I LIKE Mulan better, but I'll maintain that The Lion King is the best movie Disney's ever turned out. (Ignoring their association with Pixaar, anyway!)

[bladestarr]

To answer your questions, yes it is true that the two have very different plots. However, they share so many similar themes and moments between them that it is impossible for it to be coincidence. And to respond to Lissa, yes if you ignore the fact that Tezuka made Kimba, the movie stands on its own as one of Disney's greatest works. I am just upset with the fact that Disney still to this day has not owned up to the fact that they ripped so much from a classic animator's work and continue to deny any connection whatsoever.

It is the principle of the thing! Just like how I was joining the first week boycott of I, Robot as suggested by this site, because of my respect for Isaac Asimov and my lack of respect for unethical salespeople. I'm still going to see the movie to give it a chance, but only after the first week of video sales (missed it in the theater, darn!). That is all that this really comes down to for me, I do think everyone involved in the creation of The Lion King did a wonderful job, I just detest the fact that the company as a whole and specifically the marketing department keep up the facade that there is no influence between the works and that The Lion King was made in a Tezuka-less vaccum and is completely 'original'. That's all.