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1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
THE DESIGN SCHOOL
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT
NAME: SHUM LI SZE
STUDENT ID NO: 0322822
FILMS SELECTED: SCIENCE FICTION (MEET THE ROBINSONS)
FICTION (THE LION KING)
WORD COUNT: 897 words
ENGLISH 2 (ELG 30605)
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: COMPARE – CONTRAST ESSAY
LECTURER: GOPIGHANTAN MYLVAGANAM
SUBMISSIONDATE: DECEMBER 4TH
2015

2. Science fiction and fiction movie genre are both similar and yet different in many
ways. Science fiction and fiction are both the product of our imagination. However, science
fiction movies tell the possibilities that are probable in the future and predict stories of what
is likely to happen given the path all of us are walking on. Whereas fiction is pure fantasy.
Fiction feeds our wild belief that anything could happen. Animals can talk, fish can fly,
anything is possible. It tells of an alternate reality where there is no limit. The movie I have
chosen is Meet the Robinsons and The Lion King from Walt Disney animation. By
contrasting both of these movies, one can easily see that they are different in their visual
animation and synopsis, protagonist, family background and the settings.
Meet the Robinsons is a computer-animated three-dimensional science fiction movie
as it includes speculative phenomena and numerous science terms and principles. Boy genius
Lewis invented Memory Scanner, a device that scanned people’s deepest memories.
However, it was stolen by Bowler Hat Guy and his partner, a robotic hat who came from the
future during the school science fair. Lewis gave up hope of retrieving his invention until
they then met Wilbur’s eccentric family and his future self. In contrast, the Lion King is a
fiction movie as it is a fictional story based on Simba, a young lion who lost his father who
was the king at a young age. His father’s death was actually planned by Simba’s uncle who
wanted to be the king himself. At first, his uncle blamed the death on Simba so he fled to a
distant land. Many years later, Simba met many friends and learnt a lot. When he found out
that his uncle had taken over his kingdom and had mistreated all the animals, Simba was
furious and quickly returned home to battle his uncle. All the other lions helped him and the
kingdom was restored peacefully at last.
The protagonist of science fiction movie, Lewis, was a 12-year-old slender boy with
blonde spiked hair. He was fantastically gifted in term of intelligent and he had been
inventing since he was young. Throughout his life, he invented brilliant inventions such as
Memory Scanner, time machine, robotic hat DOR-15 and a housekeeping robot. He even
recorded all his inventions and ideas in his notebook and tried his best to invent them in the
orphanage that he stayed in. “Keep Moving Forward. ” was his favourite motto that made
him incredible successful in his life in the future. On the other hand, Simba, a young lion was
the protagonist of the Lion King. He was a playful and adventurous cub who longed to be the
greatest king of the Pride Land of Africa. Due to his arrogant attitude, he always put himself
into troubles. When he grew up, he turned over a new leaf by changing his attitude. He was
more mature and responsible as he finally learnt from his mistakes and determined to protect
the kingdom. “ Sometimes, what’s left behind can grow better than the generation before… if
given the chance. ” said Simba.
The protagonists from both movies have contrasting family backgrounds. Lewis was
abandoned by his mother at the orphanage as an infant. He grew up in the orphanage and was
then adopted by Lucille and Bud, who were the Science Fair judges. He then lived with his
new family and continued inventing, fulfilling his dream. Meanwhile, Simba was the only

3. son of King Mufasa in the Pride Land of Africa. Unfortunately, he lost his dad when his dad
was killed by his uncle, Scar. After knowing the ugly truth, he ran away from his home and
went to a jungle. He was then raised by Timon and Pumbaa, a meerkat and a warhog and
lived in a jungle before returning to his home.
The setting of the science fiction movie is placed in the 2007 and 2037, which is the
year Lewis and Wilbur travelled to by using the time machine. The city in the 2037 that was
invented by future Lewis, Cornelius Robinson was an incredible city with breathtaking
architecture and modern inventions. In the future, modern technology and inventions are a
must in people’s daily lives. Conversely, the setting of the Lion King is placed in the Pride
Land of Africa which is a vast African savanna territory. This place is covered with natural
elements and it provides shelter and a home for a variety of animals. The animal kingdom in
the Pride Land is ruled by King Mufasa, followed by Scar and Simba. The Pride Rock is an
important setting that is featured in the fiction film. It is a giant rock formation that provides
shelter and home for the pride of lions that rule the Pride Lands. It serves as the center rule
for the pride as animals will gather here for the presentation of the future ruler.
In a nutshell, science fiction genre film and fiction genre film is different in the
aspects of visual animation and synopsis, protagonist, family background and settings.
Science fiction genre film tends to show realistic ideas and possible futures in all its aspect.
Fiction, however, lean towards a more wild approach especially in its storyline. Despite being
vastly different, both can promote good ideas and push the boundaries of imagination and
creativity.

4. References
Meet the Robinsons. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2015 from
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Meet_the_Robinsons
The Lion King. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2015 from
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/The_Lion_King
The Pride Lands. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2015 from
http://lionking.wikia.com/wiki/The_Pride_Lands