Read Time: 5 minutes

Year of release: 2024
Run time: 2 hr. | Rated: PG | Genre: Action / Comedy / Animation Adaptation | Language: English

A Disney sequel that no one asked for yet I was really looking forward to, despite the curse of Disney has making failed/forced sequels, this one piqued my interest as the original animated film was one of my favorites growing up. The thought of knowing and learning how the mighty Mufasa came to be was too interesting to pass up on.

From the wide array of live actions Disney has been making, Lion King was probably the best that came out of it, whilst the first live action Lion King that came out in 2019 had some issues, Mufasa 2024 greatly improved on the CGI and overall visual appeal of the film. The sound effects also brought the prequel to life.

Recent music/scores composed by Lin Manuel Miranda were a hit or miss here

• “I Always Wanted A Brother.” Was meh, I didn’t like it, even a little and it will not grow on me over time. It was annoying to hear “Bratha” every 10 seconds.
• “Bye-Bye” was another song I hope to never have heard. They try so hard to give Kiros that cunning, sly, deceptive, sophisticated and sinister sounding voice that Scar originally had. Kiros on the other hand, the King of the Outsiders, was a brute, not one for thinking, so the tone of the song he did didn’t fit his demeanor and image in any way. Although not going to lie, the song has been stuck on my head ever since.
• “Milele” I actually liked, the message and how it was told and envisioned was grand. The voice of Uru, Mufasa’s mother was warm, whole and pure.

Lin Manuel Miranda is great and all, don’t get me wrong, his work in Hamilton was legendary and he was known for it. His style is very distinct to himself that… that’s it, it is very distinct to himself that you’d know in an instant that he was involved in the making of that song. Most of the songs he released were great, but it sort of becoming a parody in and of itself, its too… Lin Manual Miranda, if you get what I mean. Like the songs in Moana 2, he didn’t have any part in it and it was a hot mess, compared to the songs he made for Moana 1, it’s like Night and Day.

Tim Rice / Alan Menken over Lin Manuel

Songs/scores made by Tim Rice or Alan Menken will stand the test of time. Even without us being informed that the score was composed by them, it would still sound glorious. I hope LMM would stop or maybe choose what kind of music he wants to do for Disney and not be bought with a fat paycheck to produce a mediocre soundtrack.

The premise was actually great. Who doesn’t want to know how the great Mufasa came to be? Unfortunately, the execution had some dowfalls. From the voice actors, some of the music, and the way they presented Mufasa’s story itself.

Synopsis

The story started with (grown) Simba leaving Kiara in the hands of Timon and Pumba, and Rafiki joined in the mix afterwards. Rafiki then tells the story then we cut back to the past where we see Mufasa being cub with his parents in an almost barren land. I was no qualms with how it transitioned, but every now and then they cut back to the present with Rafiki, Kiara, Timon and Pumba, supposedly to insert some humor, much like a commercial break. It killed the momentum of the story and just ruins it. Its almost as if those scenes were added padding to lengthen the film.

Honestly, the film wasn’t all that bad that people/critics made it out to be. There were some heartfelt moments that got me choked up. I also love the concept of the Outsiders, them being white lions, that are bigger and stronger than others. I thought that was cool. Reminded me of Kimba, The White Lion TV series. It’s like Kimba’s revenge on Disney’s Lion King.

There were 4 things however that made me go ohhh and ahhh…

• The concept of Kiros and the Outsiders was cool, I was actually rooting for him. Such an alpha male presence and really exudes kingliness (I know, its not the only thing that makes one a King, he’s just so cool).
• How Pride Rock was formed – towards the final battle between Mufasa and Kiros, an earthquake began and Rafiki says this “The Earth will shake.” The whole of pridelands shook, the ground cracked, and that crack ran up towards a mountain. The mountain split open and a huge elongated boulder fell down and nestled at the front like a nose. That iconic shot was majestic.
• Rafiki’s stick – Though its not canon to Disney’s lore. Rafiki was holding on to a branch for dear life, then the branch broke and he fell down, which then he found his stick. According to Disney lore however, Rafiki received his walking stick from his grandfather at a young age, signifying the passing down of wisdom and mystical abilities, the gourds on the stick are considered to be the key to his magical powers.
• After Mufasa roars for the first time as King of the Pride Lands, switch back to present, we see Kiara standing atop of Pride Rock, facing up the sky and roaring as much as her cub voice could reach. Crepuscular rays (sun shines through clouds) are seen forming the face of Mufasa. That got me teary eyed, not going to lie.

Conclusion

Mufasa was a very good film, aside from the minor downside mentioned above. I’d still recommend this to long time Lion King fans, specially those who grew up watching the original Disney animation. The premise was good and interesting. Though its not something I’d pay to watch again. Probably wait for it to be available for streaming. All in all, I had a blast watching this with my 5 year old daughter, and regardless of what I thought, the child in me and my daughter loved it.

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