When I heard a while back that Disney was doing a “live action” reimagining of the 1994 classic ‘The Lion King,’ I’ll admit I was sort of hesitant (even though I knew one would eventually be coming). The 2019 remake/reimagining is a decent watch, even though I definitely prefer the animated original!
Now, the world of ‘The Lion King’ expands and we get to see how Mufasa becomes the lion that we all know!
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ enlists Rafiki to replay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature shtick.
Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka - the heir to a royal bloodline.
The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny - their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
I’m sure creating a prequel/origin story to a major Disney favorite can be a daunting task. Now, even though a ‘Lion King’ prequel/sequel wasn’t exactly necessary, ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ delivers some great visuals and a decent story.
Sure, this film does change a few things around with the known ‘Lion King’ lore - which was hinted at during some of the trailers. Yet, even when they changed a few things to the ‘Lion King’ story, the filmmakers ended up making an enjoyable story filled with love and spirit.
Mufasa’s start of the story is a little sad as he ends up getting separated from his parents after a terrible flood. As young Mufasa is found by another young cub named Taka (who ends up being an important character), a friendship blooms into a brotherhood. This film also shows us how the characters that we grew up with have met and how they connected.
There are also a few visual references throughout the film that do foreshadow events that occur in the 2019 remake/1994 animated original. We also get to see how Mufasa and his “brother” started to part ways. Timon and Pumbaa are, of course, back to serve as the film’s comedic relief. Now, while those scene-stealing characters can be humorous at times, this time around they did seem a little out of place.
Just like the animated classic that we all grew up with and the 2019 remake, there are some songs scattered throughout the film. Yet, they’re just not as catchy and memorable as the previous iteration’s songs.
So, did we really need a ‘Lion King’ prequel? Not really. But the film is a decent little watch for the entire family during the holiday season!
Cast: Aaron Pierre (Mufasa); Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Taka); John Kani (Rafiki); Seth Rogen (Timon); Billy Eichner (Timon); Tiffany Boone (Sarabi); Donald Glover (Simba); Lennie James (Obasi); Thandiwe Newton (Eshe); Beyonce Knowles-Carter (Nala); Preston Nyman (Zazu); Blue Ivy Carter (Kiara); Mads Mikkelson (Kiros).
Writer/director: Jeff Nathanson (writer); (Young Woman and the Sea; The Lion King 2019; Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales); Barry Jenkins (director) (If Beale Street Could Talk; Moonlight)
Trivia: This film is dedicated in memory of James Earl Jones, who passed away at age 93 on September 9, 2024. There’s also a sweet little tribute for him in the opening minutes of the film. In September 2020, it was announced a follow-up film to the remake was in development.
MPAA: Rated PG for action/violence, peril and some thematic elements (running time 2 hours)
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