The Lion King is one of Disney’s most infamous franchises, certainly standing the test of time. With its newest rendition “Mufasa: The Lion King,” Disney attempts to deepen the world of the Lion King by looking at the story of Mufasa, a noble king who would later shape the “Pride Lands” for the better. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the film definitely delivers as being visually innovative, however it’s screenwriting and storytelling fall completely flat.

The movie follows Mufasa as a young orphaned cub who is taken in by a rival lion pride, while also growing up alongside Taka, who would eventually become the villain, Scar. They have a brotherly bond, yet Taka’s jealousy and ambition leads him to betray Mufasa later in the film. This storyline serves as the emotional pillar of the film, but the execution feels rushed. The movie tries to tell Mufasa’s own journey of self-discovery with Scar’s descent into darkness, yet both arcs feel hurried, and neither feels as compelling as it should. 

Visually, Mufasa: The Lion King is quite breathtaking. With its hyper-realistic animation, the film definitely brings the African landscape to life. Many action sequences, such as an elephant stampede and intense showdowns between the rival prides, are crafted well. However, these visuals come at a cost; at many points the characters lack expressiveness or emotion. The photo-realistic lions remain stiff, making it difficult to understand how they’re feeling and connect with their struggles. 

With Lin-Manuel Miranda composing the songs, expectations for the soundtrack were high, but many of the tracks aren’t memorable. Some exceptions with “Bye Bye,” performed by the story’s antagonist, Kiros, and Mufasas and Taka “Brother” song landed well though. But overall, the music pales in comparison to the iconic Lion King soundtrack. 

Pacing is another issue. The film rarely slows down, constantly moving from one dramatic moment to the next. When it does slow down, it stops hard leaving little room to grasp the emotional depth the film tries to express. Scenes that should resonate, like Mufasa learning what it means to be a leader, feel rushed, while comedic relief from Timon and Pumbaa feel immature and unoriginal. 

Ultimately, Mufasa: The Lion King is shallow. While younger audiences may enjoy the movie, longtime fans and critics will find it lacking the heart and soul of the original. 

Rating: 2 Stars