Mufasa: The Lion King is a movie that didn’t need to exist, but I’m glad it does. I mean, Disney’s made more out of this franchise than Scar made out of his “Long Live the King” stunt. Naturally, they’d want to venture back into the jungle for more. While it’s clear this film was born out of a desire to capitalize on the brand, it still manages to capture the heart of Disney magic.
Visually, Mufasa is nothing short of a masterpiece. The photorealistic CGI brings Africa to life, with breathtaking landscapes that span jungles, snowy mountains, and savannas. It’s an incredible visual achievement that shows just how far animation technology has come.
The story dives into Mufasa’s origin, narrated by Rafiki, who is basically the animal kingdom’s therapist. The flashbacks cleverly tie into the present, giving Simba and the audience a better understanding of his father’s legacy. However, Mufasa often feels like a background character in his own movie, which could have been more engaging had the narrative given him more agency.
The relationship between Mufasa and Scar? Peak drama. Watching Scar go from wide-eyed cub to Disney’s top-tier manipulator is chilling and oddly captivating. You will be in awe at the ending. Who knew betrayal could be so entertaining?
The voice cast is another triumph, Disney finally got actual voice actors with an amazingly diverse cast instead of just picking random celebrities who’ve never seen a sound booth. You can feel the chemistry between the characters, and it’s so good it’ll make you forget you’re watching animated lions.
Mufasa and Sarabi’s romance is sweet, and their duet, “Tell Me It’s You,” tugs at your heartstrings. It’s not quite on par with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from the original, but it’s a tender moment that stands on its own. Let’s be honest, prequels rarely outshine the original, and that’s totally fine. Nostalgia has a way of keeping the first movie close to our hearts.
And speaking of songs, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s contributions are, of course, a highlight. Tracks like “I Always Wanted a Brother” and “Bye Bye” are catchy, and emotional, and will stick in your head long after the credits roll.
Despite its strengths, Mufasa isn’t without flaws. Certain plot points might confuse younger audiences, especially when they diverge from the original Lion King. Additionally, Timon and Pumbaa feel shoehorned in for comedic relief, which is fine but unnecessary.
That said, the movie captures the heart of Disney and reminds you why you fell in love with these stories as a kid. Sure, Disney has changed a lot over the years, but Mufasa manages to hold onto that timeless magic. Plus, it’s a great reminder that everyone has a story—even the lion who wasn’t born into greatness but found his way there.(Cue Rafiki’s wisdom)
In the end, Mufasa might not dethrone the original, but it’s a worthy addition to the pride.
