Mufasa: The Lion King review -– A wild ride through the Pride Lands (with a few roars and snores)

Alright, Disney fans and moviegoers alike, let’s talk about Mufasa: The Lion King. Disney is taking us back to the past with a shiny new prequel. But is it worth a visit to the cinema? As a lifelong Disney fan, I was more than curious to check out the new prequel to the iconic Lion King franchise. Here’s my take on the film—complete with a few fun facts to keep it lighthearted.

From lost cub to king of the Pride Lands

First things first, let’s talk about the plot. Mufasa: The Lion King isn’t about Simba (thankfully, we’ve all had enough of his “what’s my purpose?” crisis). Instead, it tells the origin story of Mufasa, Simba’s father. The movie explores how Mufasa went from a lonely cub to becoming the mighty king of the Pride Lands. It all unfolds through Rafiki’s narration to Kiara, Simba’s daughter, which is a unique and fun storytelling device.

What I really enjoyed was learning that Mufasa and Scar (back when he was still known as Taka) weren’t actually brothers by birth—they found each other as cubs. This revelation added an interesting layer to their relationship, making it a mix of rivalry, sibling-like bond, and the complexities of leadership. The movie delves into their history, showing how they grew up together but went in very different directions. It’s like watching two lions trying to outdo each other in a game of "who’s the real king here?"

Kiros: the villain who actually steals the show

Let’s talk about the villain: Kiros, the massive white lion who brings some serious tension to the film. Honestly, every time he appeared on screen, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. And his villain song “Bye Bye”? I couldn’t stop humming it after the movie. Kiros was by far the scariest lion. His presence made you believe that he meant business, and he definitely added that extra layer of danger to the story.

The music: some catchy tunes, but don’t expect to be singing along for days

What’s a Disney movie without its musical numbers, right? Lin-Manuel Miranda, the genius behind Hamilton, lends his touch to the soundtrack. And while the tunes are fun, none of them hit quite as hard as the classics we’ve come to know and love. “Bye Bye” was catchy, but that’s the only track that stuck with me. The rest? They were fine, but didn’t exactly scream “Disney classic.” I’m not expecting anyone to be singing these on repeat in the car or on TikTok.

Is this a movie or a nature documentary?

Now, here’s where Mufasa really shines. The CGI animation is absolutely mind-blowing. Honestly, there were moments where I thought I was watching a documentary about real lions rather than animated ones. The fur textures, the way light reflects off water, and the movements of the lions are so realistic, you almost forget these are animated characters. It’s like the 2019 Lion King remake but with even more detail. You’ll be left speechless, especially during action scenes like the river rescue. The visuals are the star of the show, no doubt.

Fun fact corner!

• Did you know that Mufasa’s voice actor, Aaron Pierre, spent months perfecting his lion roar? They even used real lion sound recordings as references. Talk about dedication!
• Kiros’ character was inspired by a real-life lion known for his fierce nature. They wanted to create a villain who felt truly intimidating.
• The animators used hundreds of reference photos of real lions to get their movements just right. So, if you ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a lion researcher... this might be your dream job!

Would I watch it again?

The big question: would I go back to see the movie again? Absolutely! The visual spectacle, the gripping action, and the deep dive into Mufasa and Scar’s backstory make it worth a second viewing. But, let’s be real: I’m not going to be blasting the soundtrack in my car anytime soon. The music doesn’t have that same lasting impact as the original Lion King songs.

Final thoughts: a strong prequel, but lacking the original’s magic

To wrap it up: Mufasa: The Lion King is a solid film. It’s visually stunning, the characters are engaging, and the story adds some interesting depth to the Lion King universe. But... it doesn’t quite capture the heart and magic of the original. The music isn’t as memorable, and the overall tone feels a bit less adventurous than its predecessor.

So, if you’re a Disney fan, or if you’ve got a soft spot for lions (who doesn’t?), it’s definitely worth checking out. But if you’re hoping for a movie that will leave you humming the tunes for days or that will surpass the original Lion King in emotional depth, Mufasa might not hit all the right notes.

⭐ Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ⭐