Disney’s highly anticipated prequel to The Lion King, Mufasa, premiered on December 20th, and while it boasts a star-studded cast and impressive visuals, it fails to deliver in several key areas. The film attempts to flesh out the backstory of Simba’s father, Mufasa, but ultimately feels like a rehashing of familiar tropes.
The origin story follows young Mufasa as he navigates his way from being separated from his parents during a flood to becoming the king who created his own monarchy through goodness. The film introduces new characters, including Taka, an adoptive brother who welcomes Mufasa into their family despite initial hesitation from their father. However, the plot takes a familiar turn when the brothers face an outside threat in the form of ghostly white lions led by the sadistic Kiros.
While director Barry Jenkins brings his lyrical style to the film’s smaller moments, it’s not enough to elevate the narrative. The songs, penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda, are lackluster and fail to capture the magic of the original. Even Scar, a character with immense potential for depth, feels reduced to a sanded-down incel.
The film’s attempt at providing variety and keeping kids engaged works, but ultimately, it’s just not enough to make Mufasa stand out as a worthy addition to The Lion King franchise. With its regal premise and impressive visuals, the film had the potential to be a roaring success – instead, it feels like a missed opportunity.
Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/mufasa-the-lion-king-review-this-belongs-in-the-disney-bargain-bin