Phil Roberts 
Mufasa: The Lion King is surprisingly brilliant. It is fun, visually stunning, and incredibly poignant, making it a welcome addition to the legacy of Pride Rock.
Disney’s live-action formula has been hit-and-miss for me. Jon Favreau’s The Jungle Book and The Lion King were fun adaptations of the source material that hit the mark with their incredible visual effects and imaginative storytelling. However, other properties like Dumbo and Lady and the Tramp have been laborious to watch. So, eyebrows were raised when Barry Jenkins signed on to direct a live-action sequel to The Lion King. After all, Disney has attempted to extend its Pride Lands sandbox before, with mixed results. So, can Jenkins truly capture lightning in a bottle and deliver the sequel we are hoping for? Or is Mufasa’s origin story another disappointment destined for the Disney+ bargain bin?
REVIEW
Fear not, Lion King fans, because Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King is surprisingly brilliant. It is fun, visually stunning, and incredibly poignant, making it a welcome addition to the legacy of Pride Rock. Although the antics of Timon and Pumbaa can be tiresome and disrupt the flow, the film ultimately delivers a great family adventure. The songs are catchy and enjoyable, the visual effects are breathtaking, and Jenkins brings out the best in the material. While the film may seem conceptually unnecessary, John Kani’s performance as Rafiki is outstanding, and Mads Mikkelsen’s Kiros adds a much-needed sense of menace. In the end, the film is an absolute blast.
FAMILY ORIGINS
Let’s be clear about one thing: this film is wholly unnecessary. Yes, it’s a brilliant and visually stunning spectacle, but did we need this new addition to the series? Perhaps not. Disney has always tried to stretch its material to craft new stories, and this is the studio’s latest attempt. While the film is a blast, the origin story of Mufasa and his treacherous brother, Scar, doesn’t necessarily need to be told—and the film reflects that. The opening moments quickly remind us that this is an extension of The Lion King and a fresh landscape to explore. Simba and his partner Nala are about to give birth to a second cub and set off to the birthing grounds, leaving their daughter Kiara in the care of Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki.
As a menacing thunderstorm approaches, causing Kiara to retreat in fear, Rafiki takes the opportunity to share the story of the greatest lion ever to roam the Pride Lands—Mufasa. Together with the eye-rollingly awful Timon and Pumbaa, Rafiki takes us back in time and teaches the terrified cub how Mufasa rose from the ashes to become the great King we know and love.
ORIGINS
After a heartfelt tribute to the late great James Earl Jones, the film transitions to Mufasa’s days as a young cub. Jenkins frames the story as a coming-of-age lesson for Kiara, depicting how Mufasa overcame adversity and faced his deepest fears to become the King of the Pride Lands. The positive message conveyed in the film is a wonderful lesson for kids of all ages and serves as a reminder of the importance of family. The story hits its stride when young Mufasa is swept away from his family by rising floodwaters and awakens in a strange part of the savannah.
Jenkins’ spell in The Lion King sandbox has some amazing visual effects that are just mind-blowing. While Jon Favreau’s 2019 version featured impressive technology, it was limited by the capabilities of its time. In contrast, Jenkins’ prequel demonstrates significant advancements in visual effects, making it visually spectacular. At times, I was astonished by how realistic the lions appeared. Even the close-up shots of the elephants looked incredibly lifelike, making me remind myself that this is a work of fiction. James Laxton’s incredible cinematography doubles down on its splendor by delivering some of the most vivid landscapes ever committed to film. From the grassy plains to the snow-covered mountains, every landscape has been impeccably rendered, and it only heightens the experience.
MUSICAL CREATURES
The musical numbers woven throughout the film are the only elements that somewhat disrupt the visual brilliance. Rather than being a distraction, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s new musical numbers enhance the experience. The fresh musical pieces are lively and effectively capture the innocence of a young Mufasa as a cub. However, watching these characters burst into song and frolic across the landscape clashes with the incredibly realistic portrayal of the animals. Like any fantasy film, a certain degree of suspension of disbelief is necessary for the narrative to resonate, and this film carefully navigates that balance. Yet, when it shines, it truly soars, taking the audience on a musical journey that lingers in their minds long after the credits have rolled.
Following in the footsteps of Elton John, Tim Rice, and Hans Zimmer is a daunting prospect for any composer and songwriter. However, Nicholas Britell’s beautifully atmospheric score and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s new compositions serve as natural successors to their predecessors’ classics.
THE VOICE CAST
Bringing the wonderful new songs to life is Jenkins’ cleverly selected cast members. Although Donald Glover and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter feature in glorified cameos as Simba and Nala, respectively, the responsibility of propelling the audience on the musical journey falls upon Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr, and Tiffany Boone. Bringing young versions of Mufasa, Scar (or Taka, as he is known here), and Sarabi to life is an uphill battle, but for the most part, the young cast delivers. Aaron Pierre, especially, works wonders to fill the void left by James Earl Jones and delivers a perfectly balanced performance as young Mufasa.
Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s portrayal of young Scar certainly takes some getting used to. While Chiwetel Ejiofor delivered a commendable performance in Jon Favreau’s reimagining, Jeremy Irons’s rendition remains the gold standard for this character. Despite Harrison Jr.’s earnest efforts, his take falls short in terms of the depth and gravitas that fans associate with his predecessor. As a result, the audience may struggle to adjust at times, and it takes a while for the film to hit its stride. While this might not be a deal breaker for younger viewers, adults will likely feel disoriented throughout much of the first half.
A NEW THREAT
Fortunately, the legendary Mads Mikkelsen steps in to deliver an exceptional performance as the new villain, Kiros. With his distinctive Danish accent perfectly punctuating his lines, Mikkelsen fully embraces the role, bringing a much-needed sense of menace to the film. His portrayal of Kiros is nothing short of a triumph. From his lethal demeanor to his chilling delivery, Mikkelsen’s interpretation of the character is a true highlight. Even when he participates in the musical numbers, his villain maintains an intriguing edge that enhances the overall enjoyment of the film. Alongside his crew of misfits and outcasts, Mikkelsen presents a genuine threat that aligns seamlessly with the story, making them the film’s standout elements.
TIMON AND PUMBAA
Unfortunately, Timon and Pumbaa, once again voiced by Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner, detract from the brilliance of Kiros and his pride. In this prequel, their presence feels unwarranted, and they don’t belong in the story. Instead of sidelining them to concentrate on the main narrative, Jenkins follows the Disney formula, forcing them in as unnecessary comic relief. Their role becomes even more frustrating as they frequently interrupt the unfolding adventure to provide their commentary on Rafiki’s tale. Although intended to be humorous, these uninvited interludes only halt the story’s flow and undermine any momentum it builds.
Just when the audience becomes deeply engaged in Mufasa’s heartbreaking story, we abruptly shift back to the present with frustrating interludes that contribute nothing meaningful to the narrative. These segments quickly start to overshadow the brilliance of the adventure, particularly when Timon tries to break the fourth wall by alluding to watching the stage version of The Lion King. This choice is puzzling and diminishes the experience of watching animals in their natural setting. While I recognize this is a work of fiction, the incredible effort put forth by the special effects team to create a photo-realistic landscape and its lifelike wildlife deserves better treatment than having that illusion shattered by dull commentary. I totally understand that Disney has its formula to stick to, but cramming Timon and Pumbaa into this story was such a wrong move, and honestly, that’s my only real issue with the whole film.
VERDICT
Despite the best efforts of Timon and Pumbaa, Mufasa: The Lion King still brings the classic Disney magic to life and hits all the right notes. With John Kani’s portrayal of Rafiki acting as the wise commentator, the film seamlessly follows in the footsteps of Favreau’s earlier work. It’s a delightful experience—visually stunning and deeply touching—making it a fantastic addition to the legacy of Pride Rock. The film carries an important message that resonates with children of all ages, teaching them how to navigate life’s ups and downs. Perhaps the most heartfelt sentiment it expresses is our unwavering love and respect for the legendary James Earl Jones.
The film serves as a heartfelt tribute to our beloved Mufasa. Several scenes resonate more deeply in the wake of his passing, and the final moments are sure to tug at your heartstrings. The conclusion pays tribute to the late, great actor in the most fitting way, leaving the audience feeling thankful for the time we shared with him. While the film might initially seem unnecessary, it is this message of appreciation that truly stands the test of time, making it well worth the ticket price. It beautifully captures the circle of life, both on and off the screen, and reminds us to cherish our moments with the King of Pride Rock.
We can still feel the love tonight…and Mufasa reigns.
Mufasa: The Lion King roars into cinemas everywhere on December 20th.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
