The 2023 origin story “Mufasa” is a visually stunning spectacle that showcases the impressive photorealistic CGI techniques developed from John Favreau’s 2019 live-action remake of The Lion King. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the film boasts remarkable rendering capacity and captures the intricate details of its characters’ fur and environments.
The movie follows Mufasa, voiced by Aaron Pierre, as he forms a bond with his adoptive brother Taka, played by Theo Somolu. Their journey is fraught with danger as they face off against a rival clan of albino big cats led by the vengeful Kiros. Along the way, they meet Sarabi, a young lioness whose pride has been decimated by the rival clan.
Despite its impressive visuals and slick action sequences, the film suffers from a weak screenplay that relies on familiar themes and devices from previous films. The attempts at humor fall flat, and the musical numbers, while catchy, feel like an unnecessary addition to the story.
Ultimately, “Mufasa” feels like a missed opportunity for director Barry Jenkins, who has shown his poetic sensibilities in other works such as Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk. With its impressive visuals but lackluster storytelling, this prequel is a disappointment that fails to live up to its full potential.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/dec/22/mufasa-the-lion-king-review-barry-jenkins-disney-lin-manuel-miranda-simba-taka