The year 2019 marked the 25th anniversary of Disney’s classic animated film, “The Lion King”. In commemoration of that event, Disney released a CGI live-action style remake featuring a high profile cast including Beyoncé, Donald Glover, and James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa. Though it didn’t meet certain expectations, it still grossed $1.657 billion at the box office and created a storm of nostalgia. “The Lion King” franchise is wildly successful in part due to its various adaptations: a hit broadway musical, 3 video sequels, 2 tv-animated series, video games, and various other forms of media. A huge reason for its commercial and intergenerational success stems from the emotional connection people feel through its vibrant storytelling wrapped in a breathtaking score.
In case you need a quick refresher, “The Lion King” is the story of Mufasa, the lion who reigns over the animals of Pride Rock, and his son and heir, Simba. Though Mufasa is a good and fair king who rules by abiding the traditions of the circle of life, his evil and sinister brother Scar is jealous of his brother’s seat on the throne. Scar lures Simba into a trap which kills Mufasa and convinces his young nephew that he is responsible for the king’s death. Simba runs away and meets Timon and Pumba, who teach him to live for the present. He is eventually confronted by his past when he runs into his childhood friend Nala, learning about the horrific way his uncle has transformed the kingdom. Simba is destined to return to Pride Rock, avenge his father, and save everyone from Scar. From here on out there will be more spoilers so read at your own risk!
Though considered a children’s movie, this film shifts through dramatic degrees of lightness and darkness. These moods are expertly navigated by the incredibly lush and gorgeous score crafted by the master Hans Zimmer. Zimmer navigates these moods by creating gravity and weight, using thicker orchestral and choral arrangements when the scene is heavy, and lifts joyful moments back up with carefree rhythms and whimsical melodies. These passionate motifs of hope, anguish, and bittersweet relief are interwoven throughout the film with the use of an exuberant choir, classical orchestra, and elements of African percussion and vocal traditions.
In order to create the film’s original songs, Disney called in the expertise of legendary lyricist Tim Rice and superstar music and performance artist Elton John, two artists quite familiar with the art of Broadway. Disney’s animated movies are musicals: stories with songs that propel the narrative. This fantastic songwriting duo created some incredibly memorable works like the romantic ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’, the mischievous ‘Can’t Wait to be King’, and feel good ‘Hakuna Matata’.
The soundtrack to “The Lion King” is filled with such love, strength, and honor. So it’s no surprise that no other scene in cinematic history quite captures the majesty of a kingdom like the opening sequence in this movie. This scene is true alchemy: a triumph of animated artwork, drenched in vibrant colors, set in the beautiful plains of Africa. It creates a feeling of awe, wonder, and hope in the audience.
Beginning with that oh-so-recognizable striking solo voice sung by Lebo M., accompanied by a choir of lush harmonies, we are shown the sun rising as the ‘Circle of Life’ begins to stir the entire kingdom. All of King Mufasa’s subjects gleam with golden light as delicate instrumental harmonies join the chant-like background vocals. As the scene brightens, more vibrant greens emerge, and the animals display their full colors and hues. With the low serene voice of Carmen Twillie, animals big and small are ushered into the procession to welcome Mufasa’s new heir, Simba.
As the drums roar in with the ‘Circle of Life’, we are shown the entirety of the kingdom, Pride Rock. Our eyes follow Zazu, the blue bird and Mufasa’s advisor, soaring across the sky towards the point of the rock. We see Mufasa for the first time, regal and steady as a king should be. The ceremony begins and Rafiki the shaman enters his way into the threshold. He and Mufasa embrace each other as the music begins to soften, and we see Simba and his mother Sarabi nestled on the ground. The musical theme is picked up by a gentle flute, accompanied by the same chanting voices and a supportive bass line. Rafiki begins performing the ceremony for baby Simba and the mood remains tender and intimate as the happy parents look on with pride. Rafiki then takes the baby from his mother’s arms, and the music begins to swell again with the chanting voices. He hoists the baby up into the air, and the magnificent drums re-enter, stirring the whole kingdom once more in joy and celebration of their new heir. The last chorus is sung as the scene zooms out showing the sky and our characters elegantly washed in an ethereal glow.
Watch the opening sequence here:
This opening sequence is not only beautiful, but really sets the importance of Pride Rock as a character itself. Through music and storytelling, this sequence has you revering the landscape, which makes it all the more heart wrenching when we see what happens to it when Scar takes over. When Simba returns as the rightful king, Pride Rock flourishes again, the colors returned, and the music jovial once more – the circle of life restored.
While Disney has many classic animated movies, “The Lion King” really brought something special to audiences. With an emotional soundtrack far more sophisticated than the average children’s movie, it’s easy to see why it remained such a staple in the hearts and minds of one generation, now handed down to the next, although in a very different form. An EGOT winner and staple in the social consciousness of film-watchers, families, and children everywhere, “The Lion King” is here to stay. The circle of life continues.
