Mufasa is a household name. Everyone knows the story of the king of Pride Rock who met his untimely end due to his brother’s deceit. But what we didn’t know was how his story began.
In the original 1994 film, it’s stated that Mufasa is Scar’s older brother, so he simply inherited the throne from their parents, but in the 2019 CG-remake, nuances in Mufasa and Scar’s first scene together paint a different picture. Small changes in dialogue throughout the film left the door open for Barry Jenkins to create a solid installment in ‘The Lion King’ franchise that is a must-see for fans of the Pride Lands.
READ: The First Reactions to ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Are Here!
The Pride
‘Mufasa’ serves as both a prequel and sequel to the 2019 adaptation of ‘The Lion King’ and as such, all the characters we know and love have returned, with some new additions.
Mufasa as a character is synonymous with the late James Earl Jones, and following in his paw prints is an enormous task, but one that Aaron Pierre assumes with grace and sophistication. He brings a depth and warmth to Mufasa as a young lion just trying to do his best to not only survive, but make those around him happy even when it requires he make sacrifices.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. portrays Taka as a young prince who never got to live up to his full potential. His father set grand expectations for him, but always unknowingly held him back from greatness. As the film progresses and Taka slips away and becomes Scar, Harrison’s voice changes slightly and perfectly channels Chiwetel Ejiofor’s unhinged Scar from the 2019 adaptation. As Taka feels that everything that was owed to him is usurped, his inevitable transformation into one of Disney’s best villains has begun.
Sarabi’s character is deepened greatly in ‘Mufasa’. Tiffany Boone exhibits both poise and fortitude in her portrayal of the future queen. Strong and brave, but more calculating than Mufasa, she is his perfect fit.
The main villain in this film is a white lion named Kiros, voiced by Mads Mikkelsen. Wanting revenge for the death of his son, he and his Outsiders hunt Mufasa across Africa. Kiros is a formidable foe for our ragtag pride, but doesn’t measure up to the likes of Scar, or even Zira from ‘The Lion King: Simba’s Pride’. He serves his purpose of driving Mufasa and Taka away from their home to find their own pride, and leaves a lasting impact on the duo, but won’t with audiences.
The Search for Milele
The film opens with Simba and Nala leaving Pride Rock for an important family matter, leaving the safekeeping of their young daughter, Kiara, to Timon and Pumbaa. When the trio is frightened by a storm, they seek shelter in Rafiki’s cave, where he begins to tell them the story of Mufasa from an orphan/stray into a true king.
The ultimate hero’s journey, the story spans across the various terrains of Africa, from the desert to snow-covered mountains and lush savannas.
Every journey is filled with peril, and there are numerous action sequences where Mufasa’s courage and wisdom are tested. While they grow Mufasa as a character, the swift pace of the film doesn’t let audiences digest the emotional impacts of these moments, as the next trial begins. It’s not until the second half of the film that it slows down and we get to sit with the characters and truly understand how the events of the film have shaped them. It’s in these quiet moments where ‘Mufasa’ shines and the true emotional depth of the film is explored.
We Go Together
Lin-Manuel Miranda has done it again. The songs in ‘Mufasa’ are engaging, clever, and memorable, without a Scuttlebutt in earshot.
I Always Wanted a Brother is an instant earworm. A classic Disney “I Want” song, but this time done as a duet. Bouncy and jovial, it captures the dream of two young boys against the world.
Bye Bye is a perfect musical theater number, which would translate beautifully on the stage but doesn’t reach its full potential due to the limits of its realistic CG-animal confines.
Tell Me It’s You is the film’s Can You Feel The Love Tonight, and while it doesn’t match the majesty of that number, it quietly but powerfully cements Mufasa and Sarabi’s connection.
READ: Barry Jenkins Teases New Songs And More In His ‘Lion King’ Prequel ‘Mufasa’
Everything The Light Touches
It is easy to see that ‘Mufasa’ was crafted with love and respect for ‘The Lion King’ franchise. There are cleverly placed homages throughout the film that will both touch and thrill fans. While not the best film in the franchise, it explored the world of ‘The Lion King’ in a new and original way, just barely tapping into the rich expanse this universe has to offer.
It may be too soon to tell, but I don’t think we’ve seen the last of the Pride Lands.
READ: ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Could Lead Into More Movies
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ premieres in theaters on Friday, December 20.
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