Disney, 2024
Voices of Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, and Mads Mikkelson
Directed by Barry Jenkins
Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
While the photorealistic remake of The Lion King wasn't popular with critics in 2019 (including me), it wound up being one of the biggest hits of that summer. Plans for a prequel focusing on the young Mufasa were announced in 2020, though they were derailed somewhat by the strikes in 2023. This finally debuted last Christmas, and while it wasn't the massive hit the first film was, it was by no means a failure. The success of some of Miranda's songs did help, and so did competition dropping off as the holidays ended. Is this movie more worthy of the Lion King legacy than the previous film, or should it be left to the raging flood waters? Let's begin, not with Mufasa, but with his grandaughter Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter) as Rafiki (John Kani) tells her the story of Mufasa's life and find out...
The Story: Mufasa and his parents search for the mythical land of Milele, where animals can live in harmony. Young cub Mufasa (Braelyn and Brielle Rankins) is swept away in a flood and ends up in a marsh, where he befriends local cub Taka (Theo Somolu). His mother Eshe (Thandiwe Newton) accepts him into the tribe, but his father Obasi (Lennie James) sees him as an outsider. He prompts a race between the cubs, only for Taka to lose so Mufasa is able to stay.
The two cubs grow to young lionhood as the closest of brothers, but Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) is all too aware that Obasi favors Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). Two white lions, part of a pride of outsiders, attack the youngsters. Their king Kiros (Mads Mikkelson) is furious when Mufasa kills his son and ends up killing Mufasa and Taka's pride. The two flee, discovering stray lioness Sarabi (Tiffany Boone) and her horn bill scout Zazu (Preston Nyman), along with a young Rafiki (Kadiso Lediga). Rafiki leads them through the snowy mountains to the promised land of Milele...but Taka, who is jealous when Sarabi falls for Mufasa rather than him, betrays them to the Outlanders. It's Mufasa who finally brings all the animals in the Pridelands together to fight this menace...but he never quite forgives his "brother" Taka for his cowardice and abandonment, even after he saves him.
The Animation: This a big improvement over the first film. The animals show more expression and detail. Every hair on their body is crystal-clear. The backdrops are gorgeous. The snow looks so realistic, you really do feel cold in those scenes. There's a greater range of color too, from the gray rocks and raging blue waters of the flood in the opening to the Technicolor grasslands that is Milele.
The Song and Dance: At least we get an original story this time, and one that's a tad more interesting than just regurgitating the 1994 animated film. The movie's at its best when it's just Pierre, Harrison, and the charming Boone playing off each other as they travel across frozen and glowing landscapes. Lediga and Nyman also get to toss in a few good quips as the young baboon aiding Mufasa in finding his destiny and the bird scout who does not want to end up in a lion stomach! Though not his best score, Miranda's music is far from horrible, with the cubs' "I Always Wanted a Brother" as the adorable stand-out. (And as someone who did mildly enjoy Lion King II: Simba's Pride, I appreciate the continuity, mentioning characters from that film and the Disney Jr. show The Lion Guard.)
The Numbers: We open with Lebo M singing "Ngomso" over the credits as the Pridelands prepares for the birth of Simba and Nala's second cub. Mufasa's parents (Anika Noni Rose and Keith David) explain why "Milele" is a paradise for lions. The hilarious "I Always Wanted a Brother" takes Mufasa and Taka from childhood friends to inseparable young lion siblings. The Outlanders say "Bye Bye" as they dispatch Taka's pride. "We Will Be Together" say newly-forged friends Sarabi, Taka, Mufasa, Rafiki, and Zazu as they make their way over the mountains to Milele. "Tell Me It's You" is Mufasa and Sarabi's big ballad as she encourages him to admit he was the one who saved her, not Taka. "Brother Betrayed" has Taka admitting why he brought the Outlanders there and why he's frustrated with his best friend.
What I Don't Like: First of all, though the continuity with Kiara and Lion King II is nice, the framing device with Rafiki telling the story while Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogan) make goofy comments takes you out of Mufasa's story and is completely unnecessary. They either didn't think Zazu and Rafiki were enough comic relief, or just wanted to include two of the most popular characters in the franchise whether they belonged there or not.
Second...we still didn't need this. As several critics complained, not every character has to have a backstory. Though this was technically better than The Lion King and had a slightly more interesting plot, it's still awash in cliches. The villains are underused, with Mikkelson's Kiros being a bit on the dull side. You can't figure out why Taka would run to them.
The Big Finale: Though it's a slight improvement on the 2019 Lion King, it's still mainly for fans of the franchise or families with kids who love animal stories.
Home Media: Easily available on disc and Disney Plus, the latter with a subscription.
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