[FILM REVIEW] MUFASA: THE LION KING Review (2024)

December 22, 2024December 22, 2024 Dave Aaron Pierre, Abdul Salis, AJ Beckles, Anika Noni Rose, Barry Jenkins, Beyonce Knowles-Carter, Bielle Rankins, Billy Eichner, Blue Ivy Carter, Braelyn Rankins, Central Coast Radio, David Griffiths, David S Lee, Derrick L McMillion, Dominique Jennings, Donald Glover, Folake Olowofoyeku, Jeff Nathanson, Joanna Jones, John Kani, Kagiso Ledigo, Keith David, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Kyle McGrath, Lennie James, Mads Mikkelsen, Maestro Harrell, Mufasa The Lion King, Preston Nyman, Seth Rogen, Shelia Atim, Thandiwe Newton, The Popcorn Conspiracy Radio Show, Theo Somolu, Thuso Mbedu, Tiffany Boone, USA

Summary: Mufasa, a cub lost and alone, meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of a group of misfits searching for their destiny.

Year: 2024

Cinema Release Dates: 20th December 2024 (Australia), 19th December 2024 (Thailand), 20th December 2024 (UK), 20th December 2024 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA

Director: Barry Jenkins

Screenwriter: Jeff Nathanson

Cast: Shelia Atim (Ajarry (voice)), A.J. Beckles (Azibo (voice)), Tiffany Boone (Sabari (voice)), Blue Ivy Carter (Kiara (voice)), Keith David (Masego (voice)), Billy Eichner (Timon (voice)), Donald Glover (Simba (voice)), Maestro Harrell (Inaki (voice)), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Taka (voice)), Lennie James (Obasi (voice)), Dominique Jennings (Sarafina (voice)), Joanna Jones (Akua (voice)), John Kani (Raifiki (voice)), Beyonce Knowles-Carter (Nala (voice)), Kagiso Ledigo (Young Rafiki (voice)), David S. Lee (Mobo (voice)), Thuso Mbedu (Junia (voice)), Derrick L. McMillon (Mosi (voice)), Mads Mikkelsen (Kiros (voice)), Thandiwe Newton (Eshe (voice)), Preston Nyman (Zazu (voice)), Folake Olowofoyeku (Amara (voice)), Aaron Pierre (Mufasa (voice)), Braelyn Rankins (Mufasa Cub (voice)), Bielle Rankins (Mufasa Cub (voice)), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa (voice)), Anika Noni Rose (Afia (voice)), Abdul Salis (Chigaru (voice)), Theo Somolu (Taka Cub (voice)),

Running Time: 100 minutes

Classification: PG (Australia), G (Thailand), PG (UK), PG (USA)

OUR MUFASA: THE LION KING REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ MufasaL The Lion King Review

The original The Lion King animation is considered a film classic. Not only was it a film loved by families right around the world but it gave us all a spectacular soundtrack led by the classic tracks ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight?’ and ‘The Circle Of Life’ so beautifully recorded by Elton John.

Then came the re-imagining of the story from director Jon Favreau in 2019 – a film that lifted CGI animation to a whole new level. Even watching the film back years later and it still feels like you are watching real animals and not something created by a computer.

Now director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) continues that legacy with Mufasa: The Lion King. The film begins with Simba (voiced by Donald Glover – Solo: A Star Wars Story) and Nala (Beyonce – Dreamgirls) leaving their daughter Kiara (newcomer Blue Ivy Carter) in the care of Pumbaa (Seth Rogen – The Super Bros. Movie), Timon (Billy Eichner – The Angry Birds Movie) and Rafiki (John Kani – Black Panther).

With a storm approaching and Kiara terrified Rafiki decides to tell the young lion the story of her grandfather. The story begins with a young Mufasa (Aaron Pierre – Rebel Ridge) becoming separated from his parents during a flood.

He is rescued by another young lion named Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jnr. – It Comes At Night) and his mother, Eshe (Thandiwe Newton – Crash). However, when they try to bring Mufasa into their pride he is rejected by its leader Obasi (Lennie James – The Walking Dead).

Not to be defeated Eshe decides to raise Mufasa as her own during which time he becomes a lethal hunter – skills that come to the fore when the pride is attacked by Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen – Doctor Strange) and his pride.

Sensing defeat Eshe orders Taka and Mufasa to leave in order to protect Taka’s father’s legacy. However, they soon realise that they are being hunted by Kiros and as their journey continues they are joined by Rafiki, a young lioness named Sarabi (Tiffany Boone – The Following) and the cheeky Zazu (Preston Nyman – Crooked House).

While a masterpiece itself the story of the original The Lion King did leave true fans with a lot of questions especially around the relationship between Scar (whom Taka becomes in this film) and Mufasa. There are some hints there but nothing truly explained so that is where Mufasa: The Lion King comes into its own.

The plot, which comes from the pen of screenwriter Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me If You Can) answers all of those questions and in fairness to Scar as a character it probably should also be pointed out that this is as much his origins story as it is Mufasa’s. The way Nathanson tells that story while also capturing how the friendship between Mufasa, Rafiki, Sarabi and Zazu began is kind of genius.

What does let the plot down a little though are some of the cliches. While Kiros is a great villain, and a great analogy for what the ‘white’ invaders did to Africa, he is a walking cliché. While the notion of him wanting to rule over all animals is believable there are still a lot of questions to be asked including where this pride of White Lions suddenly came from.

The framing element that Nathanson uses for this story is also likely to divide audiences as well. While some fans will be impressed that he has managed to find a way to bring Pumbaa and Timon into what is largely a story that occurred before their time others will realise that at times it is brought in just when the ‘flashback’ is getting interesting and interrupts the story being told.

Still the positives here well and truly outweigh the negatives. The characterisation in the screenplay is top notch, even making me like Rafiki a little more after learning his backstory, and that is further enhanced again by this spectacular CGI that makes you feel like you are right there on the Savannah with these amazing animals. Even the way the animal’s mouths move when they speak is a testament to just how stunning the animation is here.

The other big talking point here is the music. While there are no tracks here that will ever become as iconic as Can You Feel The Love Tonight, The Circle Of Life, I Just Can’t Wait To Be King or Hakuna Matata there are some catchy numbers hear that are guaranteed to become earworms as you watch the film a number of times.

Mufasa: The Lion King is definitely a film for lovers of the franchise. Newcomers will understand what is happening plotwise but will certainly not get as much out of that as those who live and breath the characters and relationships of the original films. This is a film that can be enjoyed by the whole family just be aware that it does has some darker themes and moments.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Kyle McGrath’s Mufasa: The Lion King Review

Kyles rating Out Of 5

Average Subculture rating Out Of 5

Other Mufasa: The Lion King Reviews

You can read our review of Mufasa: The Lion King from The Phuket News right here – https://www.thephuketnews.com/mufasa-returns-to-lion-king-roots-94805.php

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