GamesRadar+ VerdictIt’s no Hakuna Matata, that’s for sure. And it’s far from Jenkins' best work, but in any other hands, a lot of Mufasa’s intentions would have completely misfired. Thankfully there are some stellar vocal performances and VFX – but it could have been so much better.Pros+A class above the 2019 film+The animation is more expressive+A nice tribute to James Earl JonesCons-A rushed third act-Song and dance scenes that pale in comparison to the original 1994 film-Nostalgic callbacks that rear their ugly head from time to time
GamesRadar+ Verdict
GamesRadar+ Verdict
It’s no Hakuna Matata, that’s for sure. And it’s far from Jenkins' best work, but in any other hands, a lot of Mufasa’s intentions would have completely misfired. Thankfully there are some stellar vocal performances and VFX – but it could have been so much better.
It’s no Hakuna Matata, that’s for sure. And it’s far from Jenkins' best work, but in any other hands, a lot of Mufasa’s intentions would have completely misfired. Thankfully there are some stellar vocal performances and VFX – but it could have been so much better.
Pros+A class above the 2019 film+The animation is more expressive+A nice tribute to James Earl Jones
A class above the 2019 film
The animation is more expressive
A nice tribute to James Earl Jones
Cons-A rushed third act-Song and dance scenes that pale in comparison to the original 1994 film-Nostalgic callbacks that rear their ugly head from time to time
A rushed third act
Song and dance scenes that pale in comparison to the original 1994 film
Nostalgic callbacks that rear their ugly head from time to time
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
If Jon Favreau’s 2019 live-action version ofThe Lion Kingleft you with a painful scar (get it?), then at least Barry Jenkins' directorial effortMufasa: The Lion Kingprovides the plaster. Favreau’s shot-for-shot attempt was completely soulless, lacking the emotion of the classic animated film, ultimately failing to justify its existence despite the star power of Donald Glover and Beyoncé.
And while it showcased the boundless technology resembling a nature documentary that David Attenborough would be proud of, to echo Jeff Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park: “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, that they didn’t stop to think if they should.”
As harsh as that sentiment is, we are talking about The Lion King here. The epic, award-winning 1994 film that came at the height of theDisneyanimated renaissance, traumatizing a generation of ’90s kids in the process.
FAST FACTSRelease date:December 20Available:In theatersDirector:Barry JenkinsRuntime:1h 40 min
FAST FACTS
Release date:December 20Available:In theatersDirector:Barry JenkinsRuntime:1h 40 min
Release date:December 20
Available:In theaters
Director:Barry Jenkins
Runtime:1h 40 min
Fast-forward to 2024 and the studio has strayed from that legacy, intent on remaking all their animated films into live action (or in the case of The Lion King, a photorealistic virtual production).
Mufasa doesn’t make a strong enough case for its necessity, but to judge the 2024 prequel on its own merits, or at least for the parts that do work, Jenkins' fingerprints are all over the story’s direction.
Touches of magic
(Image credit: Photo Courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Jeff Natherson’s screenplay keeps in tone with The Lion King’s Shakespearean roots – a light story about bloodlines, brotherhood, and betrayal. Told through a series of flashbacks via Rafiki (John Kani), we see the origin story of Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) before he became the king of Pride Rock.
The touches of magic Jenkins does bring to the table makes it feel a little less like a cash grab but rather an earnest attempt to deliver something different.
The touches of magic Jenkins does bring to the table makes it feel a little less like a cash grab but rather an earnest attempt to deliver something different.
The touches of magic Jenkins does bring to the table makes it feel a little less like a cash grab but rather an earnest attempt to deliver something different. Its commitment to capturing African cultures is very identifiable. Rafiki telling Simba’s daughter Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter) about her legendary grandfather is reminiscent of elders sitting their descendants down to tell family stories, continuing the ancestral line from generation to generation.
The soulful tones of Lebo M meanwhile are baked within Dave Metzger’s accompanying score. And while he doesn’t quite pull off his trademark POV shot with the same emotional resonance, Jenkins' natural eye for visual poetry still captures the vastness of the African Pride Lands. And The Lion King wouldn’t be what it is without James Earl Jones, so the film rightfully pays its respects to the legendary actor who passed away this year.
Whilst Pierre is no James Earl Jones (but then again, who is?), at least he makes the character his own to feel invested in Mufasa’s journey as a reluctant leader who becomes the king we know and love. The learned nobility complements the eventual downfall of Taka and his infamous nickname.
Vision vs nostalgia bait
(Image credit: Disney)
But honestly, that’s not the frustrating part. The studio obligation for brand reassurance and nostalgia bait is constantly at odds with Jenkins' vision, especially when they’re not emotionally earned. How many times can we slide in “everything the light touches?” How many times should we tease Mufasa’s downfall where Scar does his best Star Wars impression of ‘having the high ground’? Ever wanted to know how Pride Rock was formed? These are somehow the burning questions Mufasa felt the need to answer and yet it is amazing how quickly they take you out of the moment. The result: a messy and rushed third act that doesn’t spend enough time with characters.
While Mufasa will still (likely) end up as a commercial hit thanks to its VFX and brand familiarity, you just wished Jenkins was given the benefit of the doubt to tell Mufasa’s story to its fullest potential.
Mufasa: The Lion King is out in theaters worldwide on December 20.
For more, check out our guide to theupcoming Disney moviesto watch out for, as well as our picks of thebest movies on Disney Plusthat you can watch right now!
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I can’t lie - my Christmas plans including using this 480Hz monitor to play Overwatch 2 at ridiculous speeds
I can’t lie - my Christmas plans including using this 480Hz monitor to play Overwatch 2 at ridiculous speeds
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