User reviews

Absolutely loved every moment of this movie. Everyone should take time and watch this beautiful movie.

Tugs at the heart strings that's for sure. Beautiful animals and the characters were well played.

For people who know how lions live / studied them / watched documentary about them, this movie won't be very good. Also it's obvious from the movie it's hard to record lions, you cannot fully tame lions.

Saw this with my mom 'cause she really wanted to see it and it was her birthday. And she likes it quite a bit, and I at least don't regret having seen it.

But it is incredibly kitschy, manipulative and nothing new. The message though, it mostly gets across, and I agree with it of course. I don't at all hate the flick, but it's too much of a standard family movie.

Gotta add as well that it was fun and incredible to see that lion grow up, I won't lie, that got me a little emotional here and there. Beautiful animal. And btw. if any kid got inspired by this film, it did something right in the end.

What's really interesting about the movie is how interactive the actors seem to be with the lion or lions in a movie about lion preserving. I'm sure some of it was digital manipulation but how much I cannot tell. Just a thought how familiar the animal got with the people. Anyway, I got the message. It's a good one but this flick was too much about he message and it did loose a few entertaining factors because. Yet, still enjoyed it.

I enjoyed the quality and intentions of the film, but I eventually wanted the lion to eat Mia! At what point in the film, even before the secret of what Mia's father was doing, was she going to be disciplined? With that being said, I am all for conservation of animals and nature.

But you should not shoot your parent!

Story of a relationship between a young girl and a lion and what she does when his life is threatened. Filmed over a three year period as both develop in age. I really like this one. It's a nice relationship movie and to me much more honest than say "Out of Africa."

It's such a pity this film isn't more popular! The pace of the narrative is great. It is engaging from the first minute. It's also evident to see how long they've taken to film it, as the boys grow along with the lion - about three years. While it focuses on the relationship between Mia and this wonderful lion, it also deals with family ties, connection with nature and the hard way in which these animal farms have to survive. Super recommended!

A very nice movie, to be watched by whole family. A little bit predictive, but otherwise ok.

I feel really conflicted about this movie. On one hand it is a masterpiece regarding the animals and sceneries. Respecting all life is an important value, which is well represented in the movie. However I find the movie highly disturbing regarding the message about parent-child relationship. The parents in the movie are considered inhumane and callous, who can't understand the bond between humans and animals. In the second half of the movie the rebellious teenage girl is considered to be the heroine, whose actions are highly questionable. The story completely ignores reality about risks treating a wild animal as family member. I would recommend watching the movie first, and then decide whether to watch together with kids.

REVIEW - MIA AND THE WHITE LION

Occasionally while watching all of the films I find a gem, a film that stands out and as an impartial independent reviewer I can write without influence.

This is one such film, whilst the acting could be better and the editing is terrible the subject matter and of course the white lion truly make this a film too watch.

Simple story but what I absolutely loved about this film is the time it took to make, it must have been filmed over a period of about 4 years because you literally see the same lion grow from a lion cub to maturity and the children grow also!

Of course the actual white lion steals every scene Charlie is in and the actors were in my personal opinion very very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such a beautiful creature.

Easy to follow but with a very important message to share about tourism and hunting.

One to watch but as I've said acting isn't the best and the editing is terrible but on this occasion I can forgive.

Rating 8 out of 10

Such a good movie. Authentic, heartbreaking and motivates to reflect.

This guys thought that having a white lion was enough to make a good movie. Actors are terrible, but the script is the worst collection of absurdities you can imagine.

It's a beautiful Movie with a powerful message.

Most annoying and unbelievably stupid main character that I've seen in a long time. I didn't go into this expecting riveting storytelling or anything, but some of this crap was baaaaad, even for a family film. Rated it a 2, solely for the lion .

It's so good movies like this to raise awareness for those who cannot speak for themselves. Humans should not hunt animals just for pleasure. This is NOT RIGHT! Watch THE COVE to fully understand how devious politicians and governments have become to hide their crimes from the public. Humanity is cruel!

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library.

Because the story involves a white lion growing from a newborn to an adult male over a three year period, and a young girl, Mia, growing from about 11 to about 14, the movie was actually shot over a three year time period. So there is no substitution of characters, we actually witness the lion and the two kids growing up.

Mia lives with her dad, mom, and brother on a farm in South Africa, primarily raising then selling animals that otherwise would be in the wild. Like lions. One day dad brings home this tiny, cute white lion cub, and they call him Charlie. At first Mia is annoyed with the cub, wants him to leave her alone, but they eventually bond.

When Charlie is about to be sold Mia finds out the actual fate of most of the "trophy" animals, they are sold to become targets of big game hunters in a captive environment, still a legal activity in South Africa. Mia decides to take drastic action to try and save Charlie from that fate.

There is a good "extra" on the disc telling about the process and what had to be done to train the lion to become the young actress' friend and not eat her.

Just watched this film with my two children who are 9 and 7. We enjoyed it a lot. It is beautifully shot and carefully filmed. The film also carries a powerful message that will resonate for children for care for our world.

"Mia and the White Lion" feels like a movie/vehicle created specifically for spreading an important message. The script doesn't feel creatively inspired but more like a series of cliched scenarios thought up during a board meeting. The movie has some quality actors which is good because some of the ham-fisted dialogue and scenes in less skilled hands could have been dire. I also feel like I must mention that intermittently, and awkwardly, a legend about a white lion saving the world is brought up that the teenage kids unrealistically believe throughout the movie.

The movie has some good qualities too. The scenery and the animals are beautiful. The baby animals are cute. The acting is good especially given what the actors have to work with. The message is important and a good reason to support the movie. Unfortunately I can't say what the message is without spoiling the plot since it's not revealed until the end of the second act. Overall I give the movie 5 stars. It's watchable but not quite good.

Thought the film was very good. My 7 year old cried her eyes out at the end. Such a moving story. Worth the watch.