Small things you notice in movies that changes everything.

[IamQ]

I was watching the Lion King a few months back, and thought to myself how on earth the Lions had become the hierarchical kings of the savanna. After some thinking, I concluded that what happen, must have been a blood bath. The lions murded nearly every other predator in order to be on the top of the hierarchy, and rule all the other animals by fear. I mean, what reason does a zebra for example, to listen to a Lion, other than being threatened to be eaten? Maybe Mufasa had a yearly public execution on the Pride Rock, as an example for what would happen when you oppose him.

I also thought then, that doesn't that make the Hyenas like some sort of rebells? They're the only ones who didn't cower before the Lions tyrannical reign.

 

[Jonluw]

That may be, but Mufasa certainly seems like a capable ruler.
A dictatorship with a good leader who agrees with their people is pretty much the ideal political situation.

The hyenas aren't rebels who are trying to impose democracy in fear of their ruler. They are the minions of a completely crappy leader who wishes to perform a coup d'etat, but otherwise retain the political status quo.

 

[C F]

The most recent time I watched Mulan, I just noticed the point behind the end of the imperial messengers scene.

Shan Yu: "Tell me: how many men does it take to deliver a message?"
Archer, sighting down his bow: "Just... one."

Basically, Shan Yu had his archer murder one of the imperial messengers just as they were leaving.
Because he could.
Now we see Shan Yu isn't just your standard villain. It's clear he's an amoral monster without any regards to life who is set on domination. That moment really drives the point home, because we actually watch him give the order to kill someone while smiling his evil smile. The razed village should have also sent the same vibes, but it's just a bit too audacious. One is a tragedy, a million is a statistic.

 

[SwagBite]

First thing that came to mind was the last scene in Reservoir Dogs where, Mr. White, Mr. Orange, Lucky Eddy, and Joe are in a Mexican stand-off. Then Joe pulls his trigger, shooting Mr. Orange, which in turn makes Mr. White shoot Joe, and then VERY quickly, turns and shoots Eddy as Eddy fires his own gun, hitting White.

It took me a couple slow-motion plays to see it, but that's how it goes.