The Lion King franchise is struggling to stay relevant, and its latest installment, Mufasa: The Lion King, is no exception. Director Barry Jenkins has been working on the project for years, but it feels like a chore that nobody needed.
The film takes place before Simba’s story and follows the life of Mufasa, played by Aaron Pierre, as he grows up in Tanzania. What we get is an overly simplistic and predictable tale about a lion with incredible abilities who becomes king of the Pride Lands. The script flubs its own plot points, making it hard to understand why this movie was made.
The voice acting is underwhelming, with most characters sounding like theme-park animatronics. Even Mufasa’s character development is lacking, as he never really faces any consequences for his actions. The supporting cast, including Taka, a lion who becomes Mufasa’s adopted brother, are the only ones who bring some life to the story.
One of the few bright spots in the film is its animation. The subtlest details and beautifully rendered scenes make up for some of the storytelling shortcomings. However, even these impressive visuals can’t save the movie from feeling like a chore.
The music, composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is one of the highlights of the film. His songs are catchy and well-crafted, but they’re not enough to save the story. Overall, Mufasa: The Lion King feels like a unnecessary prequel that didn’t need to exist.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/review-unnecessary-mufasa-shows-lion-110054328.html