SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

THE DESIGN SCHOOL

FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT

NAME: LEE YAUE SHEN

STUDENT ID NO: 0315381

FILMS SELECTED: THE LION KING, THE FINING NEMO

WORD COUNT: 846

ENGLISH 2 (ENGL 0205)

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: COMPARE – CONTRAST ESSAY

LECTURER: CASSANDRA WIJESURIA

SUBMISSION DATE: 5TH DECEMBER 2013

I heard my friends say that animated films are just for kids, they mention that

those films are somehow childish and lame. However I totally not agree with them, I

like to watch animated films, it inspired our life in unique ways. Animated films are

easier to understand compare to adult movies. Today I am going to compare some

of my favourite animated films which are “The Lion King” and “The Finding Nemo”.

One of the most popular Disney animated films; The Lion King presents the story of

a lion cub's journey to adulthood and acceptance of his royal destiny. The Finding

Nemo is also a popular Disney animated film, it tells the story of the over-

protective clownfish named Marlin, who along with a regal tang named Dory,

searches for his abducted son Nemo all the way to Sydney Harbour. There are some

similarities between these two films.

First of all, both of the films show strong fatherly love to son. For example in

The Lion King, Mufasa loves his son Simba very much; he takes Simba to the

kingdom and teaches Simba the responsibilities to have as a king. Besides that,

Mufasa strictly forbids Simba to enter the Elephant Graveyard because he does not

want his son to be in trouble as the place is very dangerous. Likewise, in The Finding

Nemo, Marlin loves his only son Nemo very much. He has overly protective over his

son because he feels that the ocean is way too dangerous, he even does not want

Nemo to go to school. On the morning of Nemo first day of school, Marlin escorts

Nemo to school to ensure his safety. These all incidents have shown that how

fathers show their love towards son and also shown that how fathers protect their

son in different ways.

Moreover, both of the films show sacrifice of parent’s life. In The Lion King,

Mufasa rushes to rescue his son Simba without hesitation after Scar appeals and

reveals that Simba is trapped in a gorge with the wildebeest. Mufasa successfully

saves his son but struggles to climb up a cliff to safety. Scar which is Mufasa’s

younger brother comes and pierces Mufasa paws but at the end he flung Mufasa off

the cliff. Mufasa falls back to the gorge and trampled to death. Similarly in The

Finding Nemo, Coral which is the mother of Nemo, rushes down to save her children

when the barracuda is nearby. At the end, all the eggs and Coral have eaten by the

barracuda except the only egg which is Nemo. Both of the character Mufasa and

Coral have sacrificed their life to save their son.

Furthermore, Simba from The Lion King and Nemo from The Finding Nemo

have same characteristics which are curiosity and adventurous. In The Lion king,

Simba is curious about new thing and always ready for adventure, because of that

he always gets in danger. Besides that, Simba is curious about the Elephant

Graveyard and travels to there after being manipulated by his uncle Scar, he does

not know it is a plot by Scar to kill him. However, Mufasa came and saved him at the

end when he was in danger. In addition, Nemo from The Finding Nemo is curious

and ready to adventure with his 3 peers. He swims to the very edge of the reef with

his 3 peers and dare each other to touch the boat, at the end he was caught by a

diver. These incidents have shown that both of the characters from these 2 films are

curious and always ready for adventure.

Besides that, The Lion King and The Finding Nemo are both release at United

States of America. Other than that, both of the films won the Kids' Choice Award for

Favourite Movie and contain English language. Next, Walt Disney Pictures is one of

the production companies for both of the films. Moreover, both of the films contain a

good ending. For example in The Lion King, Simba finally gained its confident and

had taken back his place as a king. He married Nala and they have their own cub at

the end. Similarly in The Finding Nemo, Marlin finally met his son Nemo, they come

to an understanding and go back to their home in the reef. Marlin has changed and

is more confident at his son abilities at the end. This are some the similarities about

these 2 animated films.

As a conclusion, I do learn a lot of moral value from both of the films. I learnt

to think positive and be confident to overcome hardship. Besides that, both of the

films carry inspired message that can totally change the way I think. Furthermore,

both of the films are suitable for young to old generation. Families can enjoy both of

the films together. I have stated many similarities between these 2 films, now u can

understand more about them. The Lion King and The Finding Nemo are such an

interesting animated film; I strongly suggest you all at least watch it once in your life.

References:

1) (2003). Finding Nemo. [ONLINE] Available at:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266543/synopsis?ref_=ttpl_pl_syn. [Last Accessed

5/12/13].

2) Christopher Finch (August 26, 1995). The Story. [ONLINE] Available at:

http://www.lionking.org/story/. [Last Accessed 5/12/13].