Ah, Mufasa: The Lion King, Disney’s latest addition to their photorealistic “live-action” safari collection. And guess what? The lions are still just lions. I swear, if someone didn’t yell out a name, I’d be cheering for Scar when it’s supposed to be Mufasa. My brain was doing gymnastics trying to figure out which perfectly rendered CGI kitty I was supposed to root for.
But let’s face it—this isn’t really Mufasa’s movie. It’s Scar’s origin story, and let me tell you, the rumors are true: Scar is the one true king. We’ve been lied to our entire lives, folks.
Aaron Pierre (Mufasa) and Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Scar) do their jobs—nothing groundbreaking—but let’s give credit where it’s due: they can sing! I was fully prepared for the acting to overshadow the vocals, but nope, they delivered with some impressive notes.
Tiffany Boone as Sarabi? Loved her. She brings the sassy wit and calm wisdom to balance out the brothers’ endless drama. She’s a queen, and it shows.
Mads Mikkelsen’s performance as Kiros is pure menace. He brings a chilling, treacherous energy to the role, with every look and move oozing danger. What really surprised me, though, was his singing. His vocals blend perfectly with the character, adding an unexpected layer of intensity. Mikkelsen’s raw, haunting voice complements Kiros’ manipulative nature, making him not only menacing but also memorable. It’s a fantastic, unexpected dimension to an already brilliant performance.
Then there’s Blue Ivy as Kiara—yes, Beyoncé’s daughter in her Lion King debut. She gives us cute innocence and lighthearted charm, particularly during her “scared of thunder” scenes. A much-needed break amidst all the lion-on-lion tension.
Finally, shoutout to Rafiki, who stole the show for me. The extra depth given to his character was a pleasant surprise, providing clarity and weight that fans like me didn’t know we were missing. Zazu’s back too, doing his Zazu thing—good for him.
Visually? It’s stunning. The fur, the manes, the wind in those manes—Disney has perfected the art of making CGI lions look chef’s kiss glorious. The level of detail in the animation is spectacular. But—and it’s a big but—they’re still indistinguishable. Seriously, can someone slap a bow tie on one or give Scar a scarier scar? I cannot survive another “Wait, who is that?” moment.
Lin-Manuel Miranda deserves a standing ovation for the music. He delivered fresh melodies that stand out and strengthen the emotional bonds between characters. The songs fit seamlessly into the story and made this prequel feel both new and familiar at the same time.
The story itself is solid—a familiar “journey” narrative that echoes the first Lion King but stands firmly on its own paws. Scar’s backstory was engaging, if a little predictable. The love triangle twist? Classic bros over hoes. A woman causing the collapse of an empire? Iconic. While I hoped they’d dig deeper into Scar’s motivations beyond just jealousy and heartbreak, the simplicity works.
What didn’t work as well? The constant references to the original film. Sure, it’s cute at first—like a younger sibling tugging at your sleeve going, “Remember this?!” But after a while, it gets exhausting. And that big reveal Disney hyped up in their marketing? Yeah, they ruined it. The impact was about as powerful as a Simba sneeze.
Still, there’s no denying that Mufasa has heart. The music, visuals, and Scar’s arc kept me engaged, even if the predictability and lack of lion differentiation tested my patience.
So, was this prequel needed? Probably not. But it’s here, and it’s not bad. It’s a solid holiday season watch, especially for the big screen. While I won’t be in a rush to rewatch it, I’d still recommend it for fans of the franchise or anyone looking for some high-quality Disney drama.
And remember, Scar’s the real MVP. We’ve been living a lie, my friends. Long live the king.
