Mufasa: The Lion King

When Disney released the original animated version of "The Lion King" back in 1994, little did we, if not them as well, realize the phenomena it would become. Certainly Disney copies a plethora of their own work, however even with that aspect, they truly know how to create a great rendition of the story. This film, "Mufasa: The Lion King" is basically a prequel to its predecessor.

As a cub, Mufasa (Aaron Pierce) shows hints of the confident and courageous king he will one day become. But he's faced with unimaginable tragedy early in his life that leaves him all alone--far away from his family and everything he's ever known. Befriended by another lion cub, Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), Mufasa finds brotherhood and, eventually, purpose when he's once again thrust from his home, forced on a life-changing journey. This all being told as a flashback by Rafiki (John Kani) with an audience including Pumbaa (Seth Rogen )and Timon (Billy Eichner), it takes us back to Mufasa who became the Lion King. 

Others to round out the cast are Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, Thandie Newton as Eshe, Lennie James as Obasi, Keith David as Masego, Donald Glover as Simba, Kagiso Lediga as young Rafiki and Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara. 

This was beautifully sequenced well by director Barry Jenkins ("Medicine for Melancholy" '08, "Moonlight" '16, "If Beale Street Could Talk" '18) plus TV, shorts and a video. He hasn't a great amount of experience under his belt, but what he's created is exceptional. The live-action edited with the CGI were dissected with precision and carried this production. It was able to showcase Lin-Manuel Miranda's original songs in a story that seamed effortless. It was executed well by writer Jeff Nathanson ("For Better or Worse" '95, "Fenway" (TV movie) '96, "Speed 2: Cruise Control" '97, "The 900 Lives of Jackie Frye" (TV movie) '98, "Rush Hour 2" '01, "Catch Me If You Can" '02, "Terminal" '04, "The Last Shot" '04, "Rush Hour 3" '07, "New York, I Love You" '08, "Tower Heist" '11, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" '17, "The Lion King" '19, "Young Woman and the Sea" '24) plus TV and a video game, based on characters by Linda Woolverton, Irene Mecchi and Jonathan Roberts. This script excelled more at the beginning and about the middle until the end. There were a few areas of slowness in the story that I questioned of their importance, but otherwise it was concise, cohesive and exciting especially nearing the end when it starts reaching its climatic moments. Certainly, no one can argue about the production values i.e. photography, editing, music and the visual effects predominately created by MPC (Moving Pictiure Company). Being a prequel, it did give us a look of how Rafiki's staff came into being, how the huge famous ledge came into being as well as how Scar got his name--it's interesting bits of trivia for sure.

If you are a 'Lion King' or even a Disney aficionado, this will certainly check all the boxes. The music and lyrics by the comparable Lin-Manuel Miranda truly fit the story and cleverly created. Will there be another 'Lion King'? Only if Disney can make a truck load of money will it have any chance at all. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                         Rated: PG                                                    118mins.