Ladies, and gentlemen, today, we review a film that the Lion King nerd in me had long been anticipating since it was first announced back in September 2022. It is a Disney film that serves as both a sequel, and prequel to the 2019 remake of the classic 1994 Disney animated film. Oh, and it is also a Disney film to be released in December of this past year, the very first one to get a release in such a month since 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns. So now, let’s discuss the one, and only film, Mufasa: The Lion King.
Plot: Rafiki (John Kani) recounts to Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), the daughter of Simba (Donald Glover), and Nala (Beyoncé Knowles Carter), some rather key events in the life of her grandfather, Mufasa (Braelyn, and Brielle Rankins as young Mufasa, and Aaron Pierre as adult Mufasa), from his relationship with Taka/Scar (Theo Somolu as cub Taka/Scar, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as adult Taka/Scar), how he became King of the Pride Lands, and more.
Okay, first of all, I will say this, I’m glad that Disney decided to honor James Earl Jones by having a line of his from the original Lion King movie included in this film. Wow, what a great way to honor his legacy, since he played one of the most iconic roles in The Lion King in the character of Mufasa. With that said, did we need this sequel/prequel to the remake, and/or the original Lion King? Well, not necessarily. But was it good for what it was? Well, in more ways than not, yes. First of all, the visuals were most definitely spectacular, especially when it came to sunrises, and sunsets, and the scenery of any beautiful lush paradise that was portrayed in this film. Second, there was the relationship between Mufasa, and Taka, and any other relation he had in this film, be it with his biological parents, and adoptive parents, and, of course, his relationship with Sarabi. I will say that Obasi, and Eshe, the latter who especially was the one to take Mufasa in after he, let’s just say, went through really tough circumstances in the beginning of the film, seemed to be very much like gorilla parents Kerchak, and Kala from Disney’s Tarzan. Anyway, nearly all of the relationships that Mufasa has are well-established, aside from the one with Obasi, that is. Additionally, there is the deal of some elements being taken from both a New Age, and potential Christian perspective. This is where I’m sure some people, especially Christians will feel ambivalent about this film, and those elements of this film, especially with the whole thing with Milele. I mean, on the one hand, the whole deal with Milele can feel like a rough New Age element. On the other hand, the whole thing with some believing that it either exists, or it doesn’t, is a very good parallel to real life with some people believing that Heaven exists, and others believing that it may not. So, as a result, some people will likely have mixed feelings with that, along with other aspects included in this film. Next, there are the songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Well, I will say that even though not all of them will leave an impact like say the original songs of The Lion King did, be it “Just Can’t Wait To Be King”, “Be Prepared”, “Hakuna Matata”, and songs like those, there were some very fun songs in this new Lion King film. I know a lot of people seem to love “I’ve Always Wanted A Brother”. And yeah, it’s a good song, along with “We Go Together”, “Tell Me It’s You” (which seems to have the feel of songs like The Lion King’s “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”, or even a song like “Rewrite The Stars” from The Greatest Showman), and maybe even “Brother Betrayed”. The other few songs in this film, like “Ngomso”, “Milele”, and “Bye-Bye”, they were alright. Speaking of music, the score was also very good. Dave Metzger, and Nicholas Britell did the score this time around. Let me tell you, they did do great writing their own score. However, they also did well with making nods to the score of the original Lion King film, and making it work very well. Oh, and the voice acting was really great too. I mean Aaron Pierre, who voiced Mufasa, Jo doubt he had some big shoes to fill in this film. Still, for the performance he gave, he did well. Same can be said about Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka/Scar, Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, John Kani as Rafiki, and even Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, who was the leader of a pride of white, and served as the villain of this film. Oh, and did I forget to mention that Keith David, and Anika Noni Rose also were in this film, voicing Mufasa’s biological parents, Masego, and Afia? Yeah, seeing them come back in another Disney film 15 years after voicing other characters in the 2009 Disney film, The Princess & The Frog, that was a very welcome treat. One other thing that I will say that people will be impressed by how humble Mufasa is throughout this film, whether it’s sacrificing for others, including his attempts to sacrifice his own happiness for those he cares about, even when it may blow in his face, and more. It’s also impressive that Mufasa will do his best to stand up for what’s right. Finally, how could you not appreciate having Kiara, Simba, and Nala’s daughter, included in this film?
With all of these good things that I mentioned, are there cons to Mufasa: The Lion King? Well, yes, there are a few, actually. First of all, there’s the deal with not all of these songs being memorable. Yes, a majority of them were good. But I’m not sure that some of them were needed. Additionally, there were a couple plot holes in this film as well. Also, as I mentioned before, the film may a little bit too much of New Age stuff. Yes, that may have been the case for the original Lion King. Still, it seemed maybe a little more so this time around. Also, why did the villains end up being white lions, and lionesses this time around? Okay, don’t get me wrong, it was nice that some people might learn of a new species of lion this time around, especially if maybe you were a young kid. Still, considering the political climate that America especially has been experiencing in recent years, it kind of makes you wonder, was the white lion species a reference to say the old anime show, Kimba The White Lion, or did Disney intend to include subtle racism in this film? I don’t know, it just didn’t seem like having white lions as the villains was the best idea, you know? But hey, just a thought! Additionally, even if most of the relationships in this film were done very well, there were a few, like the one with Mufasa, and his stepfather, Obasi, that could have maybe been handled better. Speaking of Obasi, even if he did have one, or two redeeming qualities, overall, he was definitely not the best role model for a father, especially not to his biological son, Taka/Scar. There were also one, or two questions that could have been answered, but seemed to be left just the opposite way. Finally, some of the beginning did seem to drag before we got to the main meat of the story.
And that’s my review for Mufasa: The Lion King. Well, even if we didn’t necessarily need this film, this was definitely a very good film. Still, in some ways, it may have felt obvious that Disney was trying to rush to get this film released sometime during the year that the original Lion King film had reached its 30th anniversary. Honestly, had Disney not been trying so hard to do so, gone through one, or two rewrites, and maybe waited another year, or two, Mufasa: The Lion King might have likely been a better film than it was in the end. As it is, it’s still good. It just could have been better. Even so, definitely do still make it a point to see it if you’re a fan of The Lion King, love Disney, are a big movie buff period, or something like that, still make a point to see Mufasa: The Lion King. I can guarantee that you’ll still enjoy it.
Final Rating: 8/10
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