“Mufasa: The Lion King,” a new film in the Disney franchise, has received mixed reviews from critics, with many panning its animation style as impersonal and lacking emotional depth. Despite this, the film’s box office performance is expected to be significantly lower than its predecessor, “The Lion King” (2019). According to Rotten Tomatoes, the new film holds a 59% score, compared to 51% for “The Lion King.” Critics have also pointed out that the animation style is less naturalistic and less characterful than in previous films.
Projections indicate that “Mufasa: The Lion King” may gross $50 million over its opening weekend, significantly lower than the $78 million earned by its predecessor on its first day. The film’s director, Barry Jenkins, has faced criticism from some who claim he is “too talented” for Disney’s franchise. However, Jenkins defends his work, stating that “The Lion King” is a “potent vessel for communal empathy” that allows children to experience collective grief.
The new film’s poor box office performance may be attributed to its release timing, as it follows some of the most successful weekends in recent history. Despite this, fans are eagerly anticipating the film’s global opening and potential earnings of $180 million.
Key takeaways:
– “Mufasa: The Lion King” holds a 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
– The animation style has been criticized for being impersonal and lacking emotional depth.
– Projections indicate that the film may gross significantly less than its predecessor.
– Director Barry Jenkins defends his work, stating that “The Lion King” is a “potent vessel for communal empathy.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/12/18/mufasa-faces-mixed-reviews-much-lower-box-office-outlook-than-lion-king