1. 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

2. 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 overprotective 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 examplein
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 loveshis 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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].