As a cinema devotee who has witnessed the evolution of animated films since the golden age of Disney, I must say that “Mufasa” is a captivating prequel that successfully explores the early life of Simba’s father, brilliantly voiced by the legendary James Earl Jones.
2019’s blockbuster remake of The Lion King, which grossed an impressive $1.6 billion, has naturally led to a sequel. This time around, we delve into Mufasa’s past in a prequel to the original story. Notably, James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa so powerfully and memorably, is credited before the titles even start rolling.
In this prequel, characters from the past might not appear much, but how do Pumbaa and Timon make a return? Their role is significant as they serve as an audience to Rafiki, the Mandrill monkey, who narrates Mufasa’s origins. The story frequently shifts between the three, with Rafiki telling the tale. Pumbaa and Timon continue to provide comic relief throughout the film with witty and amusing remarks that subtly reference the stage musical, and of course, their famous song “Hakuna Matata” makes an appearance.
The movie starts with young Mufasa playing in the African savannah, where a flooded river causes him to become lost from his parents. This heart-wrenching separation serves as an engaging starting point for the story, encouraging children to reflect on similar experiences. Later, Mufasa encounters Taka, another cub, and is welcomed into their family, which includes a caring mother and a future king who eventually bequeaths his rule to his son.
As a cinephile, I must say that Taka’s father, who takes pride in being the alpha, or rather the king of the pride, finds himself facing a challenge from a group of gray-furred lions who have seized control of the savannah. His is the last remaining pride in the Valley of the Kings, and they are at risk of being overthrown by force.
Similar to the 2019 remake, the photo-realism is spot-on, with the landscapes beautifully portrayed. However, like the 2019 remake, this film runs approximately two hours, which is longer than the original 1994 version that ran about 90 minutes. This issue seems to be a common one among modern live-action remakes, as they tend to run excessively long. Unfortunately, it’s also plagued by another problem shared by many contemporary musicals: the tunes lack staying power. The music here doesn’t compare to the earworm quality of Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs, and it’s notable that the film often brings up Hakuna matata, a song that has remained memorable for decades.
Under the guidance of Barry Jenkins, who might not appear to be the first pick at first glance, his previous works such as ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, ‘Dear White People’, and the Academy Award-winning ‘Moonlight’ suggest that he was indeed the ideal choice, given their shared themes. The impressive ensemble features Mads Mikkelsen, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, and Beyonce. It’s no wonder then that Blue Ivy Carter, a nepo-baby, lends her voice to one of the characters. Fortunately for us, she won’t be singing in this film, as leaked footage from her school play suggests she might struggle carrying a tune or hitting a note accurately.
The enduring fondness and devotion that fans, who can recall the initial film, have for The Lion King’s title ensures that they will be eager to introduce this classic tale to their kids, thereby ensuring its success as a timeless hit.
Here’s the Mufasa trailer…..
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2024-12-17 20:23