‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ movie review: This lion saga echoes majorly

In a scene from “Mufasa: The Lion King”, from left is Afia, voiced by Anika Noni Rose, in the middle is Mufasa, voiced by Braelyn Rankins, and Masego, voiced by Keith David. , Photo Credit: Disney Enterprises

However this photo-realistically animated sequel/prequel to the 2019 remake of the beloved 1994 lion king is called Mufasa: The Lion KingIt is also the story of the antagonist Scar, who covets the throne. It is believed to be a prequel and sequel The Godfather II, Mufasa begins with the lion king, Simba (Donald Glover), joining his companion Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter) in a tranquil oasis as she prepares to give birth to her second cub – the first they have. Also there is a female cub (daughter? The anthropomorphism can go as far as you want), Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter).

Simba leaves Kiara in the care of his friends, the warthog, Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) and the meerkat, Timon (Billy Eichner). After Kiara says she’s afraid of storms, and after Pumbaa and Timon give her a version of Simba’s victory over his uncle Scar – which ends with the two eating Scar – the mandrill and the pride’s wizard, Rafiki (John Kani), tells him the story of how Simba’s father, Mufasa (Aaron Pierre), became king of the pride.

Interrupted by bathroom breaks, cricket snacks, and various wisecracking tasks from Pumbaa and Timon, Rafiki explains how when Mufasa was a young lion cub, he became separated from his parents in a flash flood. He floats far down the river until he is rescued by a cheerful, generous lion cub, Taka (Calvin Harrison Jr.). Although Taka’s father and king of the tribe, Obasi (Lennie James), does not trust Mufasa because he is an outsider, Obasi’s companion and Taka’s mother, Eshe (Thandiwe Newton), welcomes the orphaned cub. .

Mufasa and Taka grow up as brothers despite Obasi’s warning to Taka not to trust strangers as they are obliged to betray their protectors. Trouble arrives in the form of a pack of white lions led by the ruthless Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen). As the white lions destroy the herd, Taka and Mufasa flee to the mythical oasis of Milele. They are joined by a lioness, Sarabi (Tiffany Boone), and her scout and guide, hornbill Zazu (Preston Nyman), as well as little Rafiki (Kagiso Ladyga), who is rejected by his tribe for being different. The situation between the brothers changes with Sarabi’s entry.

Photorealistic animation takes some getting used to, and watching the lions’ mouths contort into a purr-like smile is as disconcerting as watching their lips shape human words. Talking animals in traditional animation is something that anyone can wrap their mind around, not so much that there are these exquisite nature documentary-style animals that suddenly open their mouths and start speaking!

Pumbaa is voiced by Seth Rogen Bottom and Timon is voiced by Billy Eichner in a scene from “Mufasa: The Lion King”. , Photo Credit: Disney

From the stamping wildebeest to the pride rock, there are plenty of callbacks to the original. Rogen, Eichner, Glover, Knowles-Carter, and Kani reprise their roles from the 2019 film.

Oscar winner Barry Jenkins has crafted a thrilling action-adventure in which the beating heart of love turns to hate, and the songs, courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda, are brilliantly groovy. However, all the hard work and creativity is wasted due to the awkward visual style. There is more sorrow.

Mufasa: The Lion King is currently playing in theaters