{type}=
{year}=2024
{episode}=1h 58m
{quality}=HD
HD
1h 58m
Score: 6.6 / 10 rated
Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Musical
Barry Jenkins
United States, Japan, Canada, Iceland, United Kingdom
December 20, 2024
Summary of the story
“Mufasa” tells the origin story of how the iconic character became the beloved king of the Pridelands. A fast-paced, thrilling spectacle of absorbing grandeur, dynamic wit, insightful depth, and fun. Falling in love with the story and characters, “The Lion King” fans (myself included) won’t be going to this sequel for nostalgia or originality, but for answers to some fan-based questions and more information about the world-building. The whole thing, by Jeff Nathanson, offers us a reminder that good old-fashioned stories about heroes and old relatives will always have the power to inspire children. Some kids will find these old stories so powerful, they’ll live on in their relatives’ legacy as a circle of life that continues through the generations. Back to the basics, while offering the perfect balance of wit and humor, and its quotable lines, “Mufasa” is a re-introduction of the Pridelands for a new generation, the kind of family film that kids will grow up loving and remember for years to come. The film delivers solid execution, while some of the plot feels a bit sentimental in taste. Honestly, I don’t know what it is that sells the internal/external execution, but the circumstances are so compelling that they draw me in and keep me interested. The overall tone is an even balance of fantasy and realism; similar to Jon Favreau’s “The Jungle Book” (2016). As a team for film technology, Barry Jenkins (director) and James Laxton (cinematographer) are essential talents. The intense and constant energy of this craftsmanship never lets up until the end, as the film moves at a fast pace throughout its two-hour running time. Some of the images are haunting. The combination of creative ideas, high stakes, and a wide variety of clever cinematic tricks makes for a smooth film with thrilling scenes that are beautifully composed. With a full composition, the wonderfully upbeat musical score by David Metzger adds a driving force to elevate the film. The songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Lebo M are catchy and energetic. Both Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison are perfect for their teenage Mufasa and Taka (as opposed to their adult counterparts in the 2019 remake). Aaron’s deep voice provides a melancholy edge to keep the drama as intense as possible for Mufasa, while Kelvin’s lively voice can go from melancholy to nurturing as Taka. John Kani is great as Rafiki the mandrill (he would make a great storyteller). He sounds wise, old, and warm. Young Rafiki creates a sense of humor. Even my 6-year-old niece can’t help but laugh. Zazu, the strange horned one, has a lighthearted personality for light-hearted comic relief. Timon and Pumbaa are a crazy bunch who represent some of the audience members who are annoying. They even talk about the disadvantages of the annoying time in “The Princess Bride.” Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, represents the audience’s excitement in the crowd. Mads Mikkelsen delights in the brutal evil as Kiros, a formidable tyrant who vows revenge after the death of his son and will ruthlessly subdue everything he touches. Kiros is the evil white lion king known as the Outsider – a vengeful and ruthless terrorist. Highly recommended (suitable for ages 7 and up).
