Popular Culture Review Vol. 10, No. 2, August 1999 | Page 90

84

Popular Culture Review

“hakuna matata,” meaning “no worries.” Their carefree lives appeal to Simba,
who as an adolescent lion feels a strong need to escape the supposed sins of his
past. Although his guilt and internal conflict are not erased, he is able, with the
help of his two new friends, to think only about the moment at hand. Simba
describes “the good life” as one of no rules, no worries, and no responsibilities.
Simba is forced to rethink this definition when confronted by a child
hood friend. Because conditions at Pride Rock have degenerated under Scar’s
lack of responsible leadership, the lionesses are forced to hunt a great distance
from their original hunting grounds. Simba happens upon a lioness who recog
nizes him as Mufasa’s son and questions him about his failure to return to assume
leadership. She cannot understand why he would abdicate his position and allow
the inhabitants to suffer. He responds to her probing by blithely stating, “Some
times bad things happen and there’s nothing you can do about it, so why worry?”
She pointedly replies, “because it’s your responsibility.”
Although Simba led a life of contentment and ease, others suffered by
his failure to return and assume a leadership role. In a vision facilitated by the
local shaman, Simba is permitted a conversation with his deceased father. In the
vision, Mufasa tells Simba, “You have forgotten who you are....You are more
than what you have become.... Remember who you are....You are my son, and the
one true king.” The film concludes with Simba returning to Pride Rock, over
throwing Scar and assuming leadership responsibility, restoring societal order,
and later presenting to his subjects his newly bom son as heir to the throne. Con
sequently, the film’s ultimate message about leadership is that leadership posi
tions are rightly bestowed upon those who assume responsibility for the well
being of their subjects. Leadership in the hands of authoritarians who abdicate
responsibility for the welfare of their followers leads to chaos and the disintegra
tion of society. Although lineage is important, character is the ultimate determi
nant of leadership.
Toy S to ry

In contrast to Mufasa, Woody, the leadership figure in Toy Story, cannot
accept the idea of being displaced. He has been his owner’s favorite toy for a
long time and all the other toys recognize Woody’s favored position. They defer
to him during toy counsels, look to him to settle disputes, and rely on him to bring
order to their toy society. The primary leadership issues arise when Andy re
ceives a new toy for his birthday, the coveted Buzz Lightyear.
Buzz is a high-tech robotic spaceman with mechanical arms, laser lights,
a built-in radio communication module, and the ability to fly. Compared to Woody,
a cowboy sheriff doll with a pull-cord in his back to make him talk. Buzz looks
omnipotent. His state-of-the-art constmction, combined with restrained but abun-