
MUFASA: THE LION KING
Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Blue Ivy Carter, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikkelsen, Lennie James, Thandiwe Newton, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani
Director: Barry Jenkins

NICK

Although 2019’s The Lion King set a low bar, I still wasn’t expecting much from Mufasa. In that sense, it was a pleasant surprise. Overall, it's an improvement in literally every way, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opening 45 minutes. But that’s when the flaws started creeping in. Some of the visuals are genuinely jaw-dropping, but many others fall victim to the limitations of the current technology. It’s the writing, however, that deteriorates enroute to a rushed conclusion. It diminishes all the positives, including Braelyn Rankins’ “I Always Wanted A Brother.” Having said that, your kids are going to love it.

AMARÚ

Mufasa is a clear example of the difference top-tier directors can make. Barry Jenkins overcomes 2019’s The Lion King’s heavy baggage by imbuing this prequel with tons of emotional range, from humor and hope to terror and courage. It, of course, helps having veteran voice talents like John Kani and Keith David to enhance the CGI animals’ emotionality, but Jenkins’ visual choices give audiences more opportunity to really see the characters’ hearts. The writing does lack depth, which isn’t helped by rushed pacing, but similar to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songwriting, even though nothing is left to the imagination, the end product leaves an affecting impact.

ADRIANO

After the disastrous 2019 “live-action” remake of The Lion King, director Barry Jenkins is here to make… slight improvements. The mere existence of a soul in Mufasa gives it a leg over its predecessor, and the voice acting is really good for the most part. However, this is a visual downgrade because it looks much murkier with animal faces that go into uncanny valley territory. On top of the cringe humour, forgettable music, and prequel-baiting, the story ultimately is just flat and unengaging. This could've been much worse, but it's still a miss.