NAAAA-ZABINYAAAA VAVAVICHI BABA

What do you first think about when you think of Disney’s The Lion King? My ignorant mind immediately starts chanting, what I think are the words, NAAAA-ZABINYAAAA VAVAVICHI BABA, but in real life, they are actually “ Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba”. Others may think of Timon and Pumbaa, of Scar and Simba battling it out on Pride Rock, or, on a more depressing note (!!spoiler!!), Mufasa’s traumatizing death. Whatever you may think of, each of those quotes or scenes play a very important role in The Lion King as a whole, and influence how each character acts, thinks, and responds to things. I think that the characters in The Lion King are some of the most well-known and beloved characters in all of Disney, but I also think that the supporting characters play an even more important role than that of the main characters in amusing the audience, and that is due to their comical nature and gut-busting behavior. Take Timon and Pumbaa, for instance. 

They are always expressing an emotion to the extreme, whether its laughing or crying, and in the process, they never fail to miss a meal. Even the evil hyenas are well-known for their quirky jokes and antics. Yes, Simba, Mufasa, and Scar are all very important characters and drive the entire plot, but I believe that the supporting characters were made purely as entertainment for the audience, to lighten the mood and distract them from the seriousness of the main characters situation (i.e. liven up the movie).

Timon and Pumbaa are two of the oddest, funniest, hungriest, and most supportive friends that anyone could have. Although they are, at times, dumbfounded by easy tasks or are blinded by their self-centeredness, they can be relied upon to be there when you need it most. For instance, even though they did not initially chase after the buzzards and vultures (or as they called it, “Bowling for Buzzards”) to save Simba, they decided, in the end, to rescue Simba and raise him as their own son (and also as their bodyguard). But, in my opinion, their true glory moments were both while they were singing. Their first major performance was in “Hakuna Matata”, a song promoting their hippie-themed, care-free-lifestyle.

“It means no worries

For the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!”

Their other major moment was while they were helping Simba get to Scar by distracting the hyenas with a hula dance.

Timon:	Hyenas. I hate hyenas. {To Simba, whispering} So what's your plan for gettin' past those guys?
Simba:	Live bait.
Timon:	Good idea. {Realizing} Heeey.
Simba:	Come on, Timon-- you guys have to create a diversion.
Timon:	{Incredulous} What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?

This is honestly my favorite seen out of the entire movie because 1) its hilarious (duh), 2) it is totally unexpected, so it makes it even funnier, and 3) it’s a true testament to how loyal they are to Simba and what a true friendship should look like. Now, onto the hyenas. They are a group of bumbling, stupid, clumsy, and hungry siblings that are, ironically, just as loyal to each other as Timon and Pumbaa are to Simba. Both of their funniest moments, in my opinion, are as they are chasing Simba and others through the Elephant Graveyard and out of the Pride Lands. In this scene, Mufasa has just arrived to save Simba and Nala from the hyenas:

Mufasa:	{Half roar} Silence!
Banzai:	Oh, we're gonna shut up right now.
Shenzi:	Calm down. We're really sorry.
Mufasa:	If you ever come near my son again...
Shenzi:	Oh this is... this is your son?!?
Banzai:	Oh, your son?
Shenzi:	Did you know that?
Banzai:	No... me? I-I-I didn't know it. No. Did you?
Shenzi:	No! Of course not.
Banzai:	No.
Shenzi and Banzai:	Ed?
Ed:	{Stupidly nods yes}

            My other favorite scene is right after Simba jumps into the briar patch, and the hyenas realize too late that with the combination of their current speed and size, it was inevitable that at least one of them was going in the patch. 

Shenzi:	{Seeing Simba emerge from the far side of the briars into the desert} Hey-- There he goes! There he goes!
Banzai:	{Removing thorns} So go get 'im.
Shenzi:	There ain't no way I'm going in there. What, you want me to come out there looking like you? Cactus Butt?
Banzai:	{Spitting out thorns into Ed's laughing face; Ed lets out a small yelp of pain} We gotta finish the job.
Shenzi:	Well, he's as good as dead out there anyway. And IF he comes back, we'll kill 'im.
Banzai:	{Shouting} Yeah! you hear that? If you ever come back, we'll kill ya!!!

The Lion King is full of fascinating animation, hilarious content, and overall wonderful values in friendship and family. Although there are many controversies behind the voice actors, character representations, and such, I still love this movie and would recommend it to anyone of any age.