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“Mufasa: The Lion King” is roaring prequel to 1994 animated classic

Reviewing “Mufasa: The Lion King” less than a week after “Kraven the Hunter” is somewhat of an oddity or coincidence — and it doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that both movies prominently feature computer-generated imagery (CGI) of lions.

Barry Jenkins and J.C. Chandor are both gifted directors who have earned every bit of acclaim they have received, and I had high expectations for Jenkins’ “Mufasa: The Lion King” after Chandor’s “Kraven the Hunter” lost some of its anticipated roar.

“Mufasa: The Lion King,” taken from a screenplay written by Jeff Nathanson and produced by Walt Disney Pictures, definitely delivered. The film was masterfully photo realistically animated — or computer generated to look real — and serves as both a prequel and sequel to “The Lion King” in 2019, the remake of the 1994 animated film of the same name.

The narrative framing of “Mufasa: The Lion King” returns viewers to the Pride Rock of Favreau’s 2019 remake and sees Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), the daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyonce Knowles-Carter), left in the hands of Rafiki (John Kani), Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) as her parents leave to take care of an undisclosed matter. With Kiara being scared of a coming rainstorm, her babysitters keep her distracted with the story of her legendary grandfather.

We learned that Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) was separated from his parents (Keith David and Anika Noni Rose) when he was a cub and was raised as a stray by another pride of lions. While he is scorned by King Obasi (Lennie James), he is accepted as a son by Queen Eshe (Thandiwe Newton) and as a brother by their cub Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.).

Years after his arrival, he is given a massive responsibility when the cats learn about an approaching rival pride of white lions, dubbed “The Outsiders.” Their leader, Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen), wishes to rule over all, and Mufasa is told to escape with Taka so that he and the royal bloodline are protected.

Rogen, Eichner, Glover, Beyonce and Kani reprise their roles from the remake. While the film has received mixed reviews to date, Jenkins received particular praise for his direction, along with the film’s musical score and voice performances.

Comparing it to the 2019 classic, “Mufasa: The Lion King” demonstrates just how far visual effects have come. The animals are more emotionally expressive.

Besides the visuals, the voice acting remains a standout feature. Pierre delivers a stellar portrayal of Mufasa, balancing courage with humility. Harrison excels as Taka/Scar, capturing the character’s evolution from insecure sibling to bitter antagonist. Mikkelsen shines as Kiros, the commanding leader of the Outsiders, while Eichner and Rogen interject the right touch of humor with their delightful chemistry.

At the core of “Mufasa: The Lion King” is a fittingly Shakespearean drama about siblings being torn apart by the notion of power as a birthright, with one brother being a natural leader and the other propped up by entitlement.

“Mufasa: The Lion King” is a visual treat that immerses audiences in a beautifully-rendered world. Its stunning CGI, aesthetic appeal and engaging performers are captivating and make for a jungle experience worth having on the big screen.

Grade: A

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Greg Williams is a reporter and Weekend Editor for The Sentinel. A Mifflin County native, he has been writing for The Sentinel since 1991.

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