Emotionally conflicting climax aside, the actual ending to The Lion King is about as perfect as can be. Balance has returned to the Pride Lands. Timon and Pumbaa are on the straight and narrow. Zazu has not been devoured. Simba and Nala have marriedand produced a cub of their own. As a reprise to The Circle of Life appropriately swells, Rafiki picks up the cub and lifts it to the sky. The animals of the kingdom rejoice, and the cubs eyes widen as it looks out upon all of the land that the light touches. Roll credits. Disney films are not exactly short on happy endings, and even an installment like The Lion King was not going to end on a low note. What makes this conclusion remarkable, however, is the way in which the final scene leaves viewers with a sense of both promise and closure rather than sequel bait.
Fiction buff and writer. If it's on Netflix, it's probably in my queue. I've bought DVDs for the special features and usually claim that the book is better than the movie or show (and can provide examples). I've never met a TV show that I won't marathon. Follow on Twitter @lah9891 .
