Mufasa: The Lion King - A Live-Action Prequel That Lacks Purpose
Mufasa the lion king review 2024
Introduction
Mufasa: The
Lion King is the latest Disney live-action (or rather,
photorealistic CGI) film directed by Barry Jenkins. It serves as a prequel to
the 2019 The Lion King, diving into the origins of Mufasa and his
journey to becoming king. However, despite its stunning animation, the film
struggles to justify its existence, offering a story that feels more like an
unnecessary expansion rather than an essential addition to the franchise.
Mufasa The Lion King Trailer
Plot Summary
The film
follows a young Mufasa who is separated from his parents and meets another cub,
Taka—who later becomes Scar. Unlike many assumptions, they are not biological
brothers but close companions. As they navigate the harsh realities of life,
Mufasa is raised among the lionesses, learning valuable leadership and survival
skills, while Taka aligns himself with less honorable male lions.
Meanwhile, a
new and dangerous pride of lions, led by a menacing leader voiced by Mads
Mikkelsen, begins seizing territory. Mufasa and Taka go on the run, searching
for a new land—the one we eventually know as the Pride Lands. Along the way,
they gather a group of familiar characters from The Lion King.
Visuals & Animation
The film’s
greatest strength is its animation. The CGI is breathtaking, with characters
expressing emotions more convincingly than in the 2019 adaptation. Disney
seemingly took feedback from the previous film and made improvements—lions now
display slightly exaggerated expressions, making them more engaging.
A standout
visual moment includes Rafiki making snow angels, a scene that looks incredibly
realistic due to the advanced rendering of snow interacting with his body.
However, while the animation is impressive, it reinforces the debate that these
films should be categorized as animated rather than live-action.
Voice Acting & Characters
The voice cast
delivers solid performances. Aaron Pierre as young Mufasa strikes a balance
between vulnerability and leadership, setting up his eventual transformation
into the regal figure voiced by James Earl Jones. Kelvin Harrison Jr. also does
well as young Scar, capturing a gradual descent into the voice tones
reminiscent of Jeremy Irons’ original portrayal.
Despite these
strong performances, the characters themselves don’t offer much new insight.
The film’s main purpose seems to be introducing how they all met—a question
many fans never really asked.
Weakness in Storytelling
The film takes
too long to establish its premise, much like this review did in summarizing the
plot. The journey from point A to point B introduces familiar characters but
lacks depth. Unlike epic journey-based films that use the adventure as a means
for profound storytelling, this one feels more like a checklist of references
rather than an engaging narrative.
The framing
device, where Rafiki tells this story to Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba’s child,
further pads the runtime. Scenes featuring Timon and Pumbaa feel unnecessary,
breaking the flow rather than adding charm.
Music: A Missed Opportunity
Lin-Manuel
Miranda composed the music, but unfortunately, it doesn’t feel like The Lion
King. Instead, it carries his distinct musical style, which doesn’t
seamlessly blend with the franchise’s established sound. Unlike his work in Moana,
where his compositions felt integral, his music here doesn’t evoke the same
magic or memorability.
The Core Issue: An Unnecessary Prequel
At its heart, Mufasa:
The Lion King feels like a glorified episode of a TV series stretched into
a feature film. It lacks a compelling reason to exist beyond Disney’s desire to
capitalize on the success of its live-action adaptations. Even Scar’s
backstory, including how he got his name, feels forced and awkward.
Final Thoughts
Mufasa: The
Lion King is visually stunning but ultimately forgettable. While
it improves on some issues from its predecessor, it fails to justify why this
story needed to be told. With Christmas approaching, families may consider it
for a holiday outing, but it’s not the kind of film that will leave a lasting
impact.
Summery
Mufasa: The
Lion King, directed by Barry Jenkins, is a visually stunning but
ultimately unnecessary prequel to The Lion King (2019). The film
explores Mufasa’s origins, his bond with Taka (young Scar), and their journey
to the Pride Lands. While the CGI is breathtaking and characters emote better
than in its predecessor, the story feels stretched and uninspired. Lin-Manuel
Miranda’s music lacks the signature Lion King feel. Framing the story as
Rafiki’s tale to Timon and Pumbaa adds unnecessary padding. Despite strong
voice performances, the film fails to justify its existence, making it a
forgettable addition to Disney’s lineup.
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