Musical-based film contrast essay for english essay

1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
THE DESIGN SCHOOL
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT
NAME: Sham Zhen Wen
STUDENT ID NO: 0317733
FILMS SELECTED: Frozen and Lion King
WORD COUNT:663
ENGLISH 2 (ELG 30605)
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: COMPARE – CONTRAST ESSAY
LECTURER: CASSANDRA WIJESURIA
SUBMISSION DATE: 19TH SEPTEMBER 2014

2. We all love music. It has a potent effect to our emotion, whether it is happy, sad,
relaxing or warmth. Thanks to this effect, musical based films has become a member of the
movie family. Although the potential of a musical film is all about the sound, different musical
films have some specialty in their own way. For example, the music style, the setting, and
the characters of the film. To further explain these difference, I will compare two of my
favorite musical films, Frozen and The Lion King. Both films are produced by Walt Disney
Animation Studios.
First and foremost, let’s introduce the plot of the films. The films “Frozen” is about a
princess with the magical power to turn things into ice. Her power turns her home in infinite
winter as she failed to control her power, her sister, Anna teams up with a mountain man, his
playful reindeer, and a snowman to save the day. On the other hand, the films “The Lion
king” is about a young lion prince that was born in Africa, making his uncle Scar the second
in line to the throne. Scar plots with the hyenas to kill King Mufasa and Prince Simba, thus
making himself King. The King is killed and Simba is led to believe by Scar that it was his
fault, and so flees the kingdom in shame. After years of exile he is persuaded to return home
to overthrow the usurper and claim the kingdom.
Both films have different setting. The films “frozen” takes place in Arendelle, which
seems to be inspired by medieval era. There are castle, knights, and people dressing like
those in medieval period. Around the castle are the beautiful sight of snowy mountains and
river. Meanwhile, “The Lion King” takes place in southern Africa, where there are endless
view of fields, which are the “kingdom” of the lions, as the lion king Mufasa told his son,
Simba, Mufasa: "Look, Simba, everything the light touches is our kingdom.” The film also
brings you to various jungles and desserts.
Both films have different character as well. The community in the film “Frozen” is
made up with human civilization while all the inhabitants in the film “The Lion King” are all

3. animals that talk. The main characters in both films have different stories, although they bear
some same characteristic, for example: they are both from royal family. The main character
in the film, Elsa fears that her power will hurt the innocent, especially her dearest sister,
Anna, so she decided to ran away from her castle. On the other hand, Simba running away
from his throne when his evil uncle convinced him that he was responsible for his father
death.
Music style is also what made both of these films unique in its own way. The music in
the film “Frozen” are more modern, catchy and warm. Most notable example is the song “Let
It Go”, the song that never get out of my head. Not to mention music like “Do You Want to
Build a Snowman” and “Fixer Upper” that give you warmness, despite the title is called
“Frozen”. In the film “The Lion King”, its music borrow the taste of African folk song to fit its
environment. For example the song “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata”, you can hear the
traditional African music instrument, and how they usually sings in a group. Classical music
are also heard in the film, like “King of Pride Rock”, as the plot reached the sad part.
After all, different film can’t be totally the same. But I would said both film are really
great. Both films have the music that have the potential to affect the audience heart
according to the plot of the films. Their music are pretty unforgettable, especially the one
from “The Lion King”, which make me feel nostalgic and old. I wish the producer will keep up
the good work, and continue to produce amazing musical films.