Mufasa: The Lion King [Movie Review]

Mufasa: The Lion King [Movie Review] | Of course this is a must-watch for me. I grew up with the movie and now I have to know the backstory of the great Simba.

SYNOPSIS

Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) Trivia

• Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Tiffany Boone, Donald Glover, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, Blue Ivy Carter & Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
• Director: Barry Jenkins
• Producer: Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak
• Production Company: Walt Disney Pictures

• Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

• Release date: December 20, 2024

• Running time: 118 minutes

• Rating: PG (Rated for action/violence, peril and some thematic elements)

• Country: United States

• Language: English
• IMDb: 6.8/ 10
• Tomatometer: 55%
• Metascore: 56% 
• James Earl Jones, the voice of Mufasa from 1994 to 2019, passed away at 93 on September 9, 2024. He had turned down this role and the film is dedicated to his memory. 
• Braelyn Rankins, who plays Young Mufasa, first took on the role of Simba at just 7 years old in his elementary school play—two years before starting his professional acting career. 
• Mads Mikkelsen voices Kiros in the Danish version, while his older brother, Lars Mikkelsen, was the voice of Scar in the 2019 Danish version of The Lion King. 
• In the book, Taka is scratched by Boma, the water buffalo. In The Lion Guard series, he’s bitten in the eye by a cobra. However, in the The Lion King (2019) sequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, Taka is scratched by a white lion outsider.

Simba is all grown up and is now the King of Pride Rock. He and Nala rule with their first cub, a daughter named Kiara. As they prepare for the birth of their second cub, Simba and Nala travel to a peaceful oasis for Nala to give birth, leaving Timon and Pumbaa behind to watch over Kiara. Simba left with specific instruction - NO STORY TIME by the two.

While they wait, Rafiki visits and with Timon and Pumbaa providing their usual comic commentary, he shares the tale of Kiara’s grandfather, Mufasa, and the tragedy that shaped their family’s past.

Mufasa was not born as a king. He was born into a small, humble family, his parents Masego and Afia, who often spoke of a mythical place called Milele. When a flood struck their home, he was swept away and separated from his parents. 

He eventually found himself face-to-face with a royal cub named Taka, who saved him from a dangerous encounter with crocodiles. Taka’s mother, Queen Eshe, was initially reluctant to accept Mufasa, but after seeing Taka’s kind actions, she allowed him into their pride. Taka’s father, King Obasi, however, grounded Taka for befriending an outsider. To prove his worth, Mufasa raced against Taka, but exhausted, he lagged behind. In an act of kindness, Taka declared Mufasa the winner, allowing him to join the pride.

As Mufasa and Taka grew, their bond deepened. Obasi never allowed Mufasa to spend time with the male pride. Mufasa learned to hunt from Eshe, but their land was soon threatened by two white lions who attacked Mufasa and Eshe. Mufasa fought bravely and killed one of the lions, but the other escaped. Taka witnessed the attack but fled in fear. The white lions reported back to their leader, Kiros, who vowed revenge on Mufasa and his pride. In a brutal retaliation, the Outsiders killed Mufasa’s family, forcing Mufasa and Taka to flee into a river.

On their journey, they met a lioness named Sarabi, her hornbill friend Zazu, and a young Rafiki, who was seeking a new home in Milele. Taka developed feelings for Sarabi, but the Outsiders chased them relentlessly. In a desperate bid to escape, Sarabi used bees to create an elephant stampede, allowing the group to flee. Sarabi was injured in the chaos, but Mufasa saved her. To help the shy Taka, Mufasa told Sarabi that Taka was the one who saved her.

The group took refuge in snowy mountains and it was there that Mufasa and Sarabi grew close, eventually falling in love. Meanwhile, Taka, consumed by jealousy and rage that Mufasa would betray him despite knowing his feelings towards Sarabi, joined forces with Kiros, hoping to get revenge on Mufasa. As they reached Milele, Taka secretly left marks for the Outsiders to follow.

At Milele, Rafiki declared Mufasa his brother, but it wasn’t long before the Outsiders arrived. During the battle, Mufasa discovered Taka’s betrayal, but even so, he united the animals to fight. In the heat of battle, Taka’s actions caused Kiros to strike him, leaving a permanent scar. A cave-in caused by Rafiki trapped the Outsiders, and in the chaos, Kiros met his end when a falling rock struck him. Taka, despite his past actions, chose to save Mufasa, pulling him from the floodwaters.

When the flood receded, the animals celebrated their victory. Rafiki crowned Mufasa and Sarabi as King and Queen of the land. Mufasa was reunited with his mother, Afia, who mourned the loss of his father, Masego, in the previous flood. Mufasa, with a heavy heart, confronted Taka about his betrayal, giving him a name that would forever mark his treachery—Scar. With Pride Rock now his home, Mufasa roared triumphantly, embracing his role as the true king.

Back in the present, Kiara stands proudly atop Pride Rock, roaring as the spirit of Mufasa watches over her. As she and her friends prepare to meet her newborn brother, the circle of life continues.

The circle of life continues.

MY REVIEW

What I Like:  

• I love the backstory and the plot. 
• The CGI is good.

What I Don't Like:

• None I would say.

Will I Watch It Again: Already did and don't mind watching it again.  

Overall: 4.7/ 5.0

The pictures are taken from multiple sources on the Internet. Thank you.

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