Current Events > Shere Khan > Scar

(+) Yeah! (+)

Shere Khan is extremely underrated as a villain

Shere Khan was lame.

AgentCoulson posted...

Shere Khan was lame.

No u

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcLw9-3W_qo

Not even the best big cat in the story.

When it comes to live-action, sure. Idris Elba and Benedict Cumberbatch were both much better as Shere Khan than Chiwetel Ejiofor was as Scar.

Animated? Fuck no! Jeremy Irons all the way.

Monferno_AQW posted...

Animated? Fuck no! Jeremy Irons all the way.

Except for the parts that are Jim Cummings.

Irons tore something in his throat recording "YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME" and Jim had to fill in.

Monferno_AQW posted...

When it comes to live-action, sure. Idris Elba and Benedict Cumberbatch were both much better as Shere Khan than Chiwetel Ejiofor was as Scar.

Animated? Fuck no! Jeremy Irons all the way.

Idris Elba was fucking fantastic in that role. The "I will have you all in my teeth!" line is one of the best Disney villain moments.

Also, I really liked Tailspin Shere Khan's characterization. He was a ruthless businessman but he wasn't outright evil. Also, his voice fit much better as a fancy boy.

AgentCoulson posted...

Shere Khan was lame.

Yeah, he couldn't even killed Baloo

DrizztLink posted...

Irons tore something in his throat recording "YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME" and Jim had to fill in.

Ever tried singing that line the way Irons did? Murder on the throat.

Ivynn posted...

Ever tried singing that line the way Irons did? Murder on the throat.

If I went full Jeremy on that my throat would literally rip itself open.

They were both awesome

Shere Khan really only has two scenes in the movie and his fight is pretty lame. It's difficult to compare the two when Lion King gives Scar so much more to work with.

I don't like comparing the two because they're very different types of villains. Scar is Shakespearean (obviously) and very popular. When people contrast Shere Khan to him due to them both being big cats, they fault Shere Khan for not hitting the same marks.

Shere Khan is a fantastic villain. Despite first appearing literally 45 minutes in, his presence hangs overhead for the whole movie. He's mostly spoken of in rumors, third hand accounts at best. But despite only being rumors, everyone is on alert. The fact that he'd "returned to this side of the jungle" was enough to make the wolves exile Mowgli. Shere Khan doesn't even know about him. But they're so worried he'll find out, so worried there's even a chance of retaliation that they pull their protection of a pack member.

Baloo lives life worry free, unbothered by any hardships he might face. He's overconfident in his own abilities and willing to fight those that have him outmatched, like the gang of monkeys. But his face immediately turns to alarm at the mention of Shere Khan. He's willing to break Mowgil's heart and his own to keep him safe, abandoning his philosophy in the face of this rumored threat.

About these rumors. While they are unsubstantiated, while Mowgli and his advocates rationalize and argue against them, they're ultimately believed. You're taught that Shere Khan is inevitable. He hates man, and nothing can change that. Suggestions to hide or run away are shut down, it's hopeless. Shere Khan will find out, and he will kill a man cub. Clearly, he has been doubted before. We can be certain that the consequences were severe last time, and the time before that. We're not told why he left this part of the jungle, but we can understand he wants to remain an enigma. With everyone on edge his hunting will get too hard, so he has to go somewhere else. But he makes sure they remember him. If they question whether he was real or not, he'll drop by to remind them. At least that's what Shere Khan has instilled in the whole population.

When he finally does appear, he's hunting some reused frames from Bambi. We see his talents in stealth, which also serves him at keeping the rumors light. Just before he initiates a calculated, precise strike, his prey is startled by the elephants. He's angry, anything that disrupts his way of life triggers frustration. He's not even mad about losing a meal, he curses Hathi for the interruption. Of course, he takes the opportunity to eavesdrop. He likes to keep updated intel. Shere Khan will project that by the time you know where he is, he's knows all about you. He's excited to learn about some special prey, and more excited by the competition. He's ready to start tracking, but stay hidden. It's better if the man cub doesn't know he's out there.

His first interaction is with Kaa. Another predator, but certainly not a peer. Kaa takes a submissive stance for almost the whole conversation. And Shere Khan feigns civility while inflicting heavy intimidation, keeping Kaa's life a fraction of a second from ending. He doesn't let on what he knows about Mowgli, but keeps Kaa talking in the hopes of finding an opening. He reads Kaa, and correctly believes that Mowgli is there. Kaa squirms to settle suspicions, but with little success. Shere Khan presses ever reasonable angle he can without outright making accusations. Though he never actually falls for it, Shere Khan ultimately decides to accept Kaa's explanation. He still thinks Mowgli is up there, but he's not confident enough to risk being wrong. The blow to his reputation would be immense. He works hard to keep it perfect, so that everyone knows that every pounce by Shere Khan lands. Everyone knows that he wanders as he pleases, he's indifferent to happenings around the jungle, some man cub isn't enough to make him lose his cool and act rashly. He can't play his hand.

He has a brilliant entrance for the climax. The vultures were carrying on and dancing around all over the place, but never sensed him coming. He got incredibly close, close enough that he could probably have made the kill. But he didn't attack, and he didn't close the gap further. He got caught up with the song and waited. At the perfect moment, he jumped in to end the song. He announced his presence. They know they're alive because he allowed it. And they panic, forgetting their ability to fly away, opting to cower behind a child that they had just promised to protect with their most recent breath. They represent how most of the population feels. Shere Khan is the most terrifying thing in the world.

He wanted to display perfect confidence, dispel any idea that he was afraid of what Mowgli could become. That's why he announced himself, stayed just far enough back that escape seemed possible. Shere Khan maintains confidence, and condescends. He thanks the vultures, and their cooperation highlights how ingrained he is in the minds of everyone. He acts like he just stumbled upon the group, stopping over simply for polite conversation. Under this false civility, he gives Mowgli "a sporting chance," offering every advantage to make his victory that much more definitive. He's deploying every intimidation tactic in his repertoire.

But Mowgli is unphased. Despite the reputation, poor situation, and an explicit threat, the only thing he's feeling is annoyance. Shere Khan can't stand that. How could someone see him as an inconvenience, when everyone else trips over their own feet to avoid making his whiskers twitch. During this exchange, all of Shere Khan fears are validated. Mowgli isn't a potential threat to Shere Khan if he grows up, he's a threat to him now. His reputation is everything to him. A creature this pathetic will stand up to him? He's been telling everyone that he would, Even now that he's face to face with the promised threat, he won't back down.

Mowgli has already hurt Shere Khan, and Shere Khan noticed. He's inspired animals all over. The elephants are one of the few animals he doesn't threaten, but they broke their strict patterns to mobilize for Mowgli's sake. Who else might have been moved? Who else might start doubting the threat Shere Khan poses and the hopelessness of challenging or escaping him?

Finally losing face, he rushes his countdown and pounces. In that moment, he must have gotten immense satisfaction when Mowgli finally shows fear as well. Only for it to be ruined by Baloo grabbing his tail. It's the worst case scenario. Someone came to defend the boy. The vultures, too weak to cause him any real harm, do a 180 from their previous attitude and chip in what they can. His world is falling apart. He fixates on Mowgli, his single focus is stopping this threat an asserting his dominance. Everything else can wait, a victory will make it that much easier to restore his tarnished reputation. So he let's Baloo hang on until it's clear he won't get Mowgli without dealing with him first.

In the end, his deepest fear is realized too. Fire, inescapable fire. He can no longer worry about his reputation, as his life is in danger. He runs off, leaving the rest of his dignity behind.

Yeah, this is not the first time I've defended Shere Khan lol.

Shere Khan did nothing wrong

Shere Khan's biggest feat is failing to kill a kid multiple times.

Scar commanded the loyalty of an army of displaced hyenas, hatched a successful plan to murder his brother and exile his nephew, took over the Pride Lands, and (presumably) fucked his sister-in-law and an entire harem of lionesses.

TMOG posted...

Shere Khan's biggest feat is failing to kill a kid multiple times.

Scar commanded the loyalty of an army of displaced hyenas, hatched a successful plan to murder his brother and exile his nephew, took over the Pride Lands, and (presumably) fucked his sister-in-law and an entire harem of lionesses.

tbf kid was being protected by a bear

You know if Netherrealm studios made a fighting game with these two in it, they would likely snipe at each other about these very things before the fight. It is one of the reasons why Injustice 2 was so well done.

Share Kahn is a better character but Scar is a better performance