MIA AND THE WHITE LION * (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Mia and the White Lion works tension to the max at the beginning of the story as two young children interact with a lion. This movie allows a child far too much freedom in making and influencing parental decisions that have the capability to permanently affect a family’s well-being and happiness. Mixed messages are sent throughout the film that detract from its overall story. Be aware that there is a scene toward the end of the movie where a young daughter not only points a rifle at her father in anger, but pulls the trigger and hits him with a tranquilizer dart. She then proceeds to leave him lying in the outback while driving away in his vehicle with no regard for his safety or well-being. This sends a very poor message about the value of human life, the value of family relationships, and priorities in loyalty and love. Hunting practices are not well explained. If choosing to watch this film as a family watch, do some research and educate the children about the different types of safari hunting, what is legal, what is illegal.  The film does not present the case, upfront, that lions are endangered.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 A young girl befriends a lion cub and must make hard choices as it grows into maturity.

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Gilles de Maistre for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Valentine Perrin, Jacques Perrin, Nicolas Elghozi, Gilles de Maistre,  Stephane Simon, and Catherine Caborde for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Mia Owen (Daniah De Villiers), Alice Owen (Melanie Laurent), John Owen (Langley Kirkwood), Mick Owen (Ryan Mac Lennan), Kevin (Lionel Newton), Jodie (Lillian Dube), Dirk (Brandon Auret), and Charlie the Lion (Thor). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Maybe. The film may have been more effective as a documentary film about lions as an endangered species. The fictional format detracts from the movie’s real purpose. Children should be advised before watching that a significant amount of time (3 years) was spent so that actors/actresses could bond with these animals before filming began so that children are not under the impression that wild animals are the same as domesticated animals. Also, before watching, there should be an education/instructive time allotted to rifles loaded with tranquilizer darts, weaponry, and shooting humans or even pointing such devices at people or threatening people with such devices as there is a disturbing scene toward the conclusion of the film where Mia not only shows anger toward her father, but shoots him with a rifle loaded with darts. While it is important to care for our environment and the many lifeforms that live within it, humans are a part of that environment. Respect needs also to be shown for the value of human life as well as animal life.

Also Known As: Mia et le leon blanc 

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers