Right off the bat, I want to say, that Mufasa: The Lion King is superior to its 2019 predecessor. But the unfortunate truth is, that bar is very low. Like many people, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Jon Favreau’s The Lion King adaptation which felt soulless even though it was a massive box office success, it left people with a bitter taste in their mouth. So it was likely that we wouldn’t get a continuation of Simmba’s story, so that doesn’t leave many ways to tell another story in this universe. A prequel with a largely original story sounded like a decent direction to go in after The Lion King.

Barry Jenkins was certainly an unexpected but exciting choice for a blockbuster like this. He tries his best to breathe new life into the iconic Pride Lands by exploring the origins of Mufasa and Taka (who eventually goes on to become Scar). Jenkins, known for Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, brings surprising emotional depth to what could have easily been a soulless cash grab. The facial emotions are significantly better this time and we actually get an idea of what the characters are going through. This also takes the weight off voice actors who had to do all the heavy lifting in the last one.

Technically, the movie is as stunning as expected. The breathtaking photorealistic visuals are back, with meticulous attention to every leaf, ripple of water, and blade of grass. The Pride Lands come alive in all their splendor, creating a visual experience that demands to be seen on the big screen. The character animations are fluid and much more expressive enough to evoke connection without sacrificing realism. Jenkins really tries to present a more profound emotional tone, exploring themes of family, loss, and legacy with more nuance than one might expect from a Disney blockbuster.

(L-R): Sarabi (voiced by Tiffany Boone), Taka (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.), Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre), and Rafiki (voiced by Kagiso Lediga) in Disney’s live-action MUFASA: THE LION KING. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

At its heart, the film focuses on the journey that shaped Mufasa into the king we know, and how two brothers turned into enemies. His journey takes very formulaic routes and hardly offers anything new. The brothers turned enemies story is also done multiple times and doesn’t surprise or impress at any point. The story has moments of beauty but struggles to get you invested or emotionally attached to it. The script is weak and definitely needed help from the visuals to bring the entertainment value. Thankfully the lack of novelty in the writing is partly compensated by the breath-taking visuals. There are some really impressive sequences that leave you impressed and engaged solely due to the cinematography.

But where Mufasa truly disappoints is in its music. Lin-Manuel Miranda is nowhere near his best and the sings are decent at best. Not a single song stayed with me once I left the screening. The middle portions of the film are particularly strong, offering intriguing subplots and emotional beats that elevate the narrative. Miranda is master at his work, but here he really struggles to get the beats right. The voice cast is solid across the board. Aaron Pierre captures Mufasa’s spirit, while Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner are as charming as ever. Kelvin Harrison Jr., struggles with his British accent.

(L-R): Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre) and Taka (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) in Disney’s live-action MUFASA: THE LION KING. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Another aspect that the script gets wrong is the structure and character usage. It shouldn’t have taken the flashback storytelling route as it doesn’t work at all and only takes you out of Mufasa‘s story. It also never justifies the inclusions or Pumba and Timon, and they feel forced into the story. The final act feels emotionally satisfying but it really messes up Taka’s arc. His origin story is surprisingly underwhelming and frankly lazy. The story of his rivalry with Mufasa will remind you a lot of Transformers: One that came out earlier this year, and they did it way better. It’s also as if the writers hesitated to take bold narrative risks, instead settling for a resolution that feels too safe and familiar.

Mufasa: The Lion King is a visually stunning prequel that adds compelling world-building and heartfelt moments but struggles to justify its existence. The rushed narrative underdevelops key characters, and while Barry Jenkins’ thoughtful direction adds gravitas, it can’t overcome the contrived screenplay. The voicework is solid, but the music by Lin-Manuel Miranda is surprisingly underwhelming. It is superior to its 2019 predecessor, but the film still lacks the soul needed to truly roar with life.

Mufasa: The Lion King hits cinemas on December 20.