“The Lion King,” which is the ninth-highest-grossing animated film of all time, is back on the big screen after 25 years…but in a live-action format. Since its official release in Philippine cinemas, fans have been sharing their thoughts on the 2019 remake. Movie critics, for instance, say that the film lost the Disney magic and Favreau’s version is too realistic for its own good. But before we get too critical about it, let’s pause for a moment and appreciate one of the movie’s major characters—Pumbaa the warthog.
Voiced by Ernie Sabella (1994) and Seth Rogen (2019), Pumbaa is more than just a happy-go-lucky, gluttonous warthog. Because behind his hysterical or silly antics lies a profound guy who knows about astronomy, philosophy, and whatnots.
He lives by the motto “Hakuna Matata”
“Hakuna Matata”, which was sung by Timon and Pumbaa when they first met Simba, is probably the catchiest song in the Disney film. In the Swahili language, the phrase means “no trouble” or “no problems.”
Pumbaa’s one-liners may sound funny (at first) but they surely make sense
When Pumbaa said, “You’ve got to put your behind in your past,” he actually meant that you’ve got to put the past behind you. Although the past is irreversible, people should realize that we can always change the future.
He is a low-key nerd
Well, he knows how to explain what stars are made of without being a know-it-all.
He slams body-shamers
You can call him a coward but you should never ever call him fat or chubby.
Although some of us are not happy with the live-action version, at least we have Pumbaa who provided us that necessary comic relief. Stay true to yourself, Pumbaa!