"Mufasa: The Lion King," directed by Barry Jenkins, was released over the Christmas holiday in theaters.
This film was full of adventure and followed the journey of Mufasa, the father of Simba. This was a real-life adaptation of the animated version, bringing new life to an old classic.
This movie was about the story of an orphaned cub named Mufasa (Aaron Pierre). He meets a lion named Taka, who takes him to his royal bloodline. The film is an adventure of how Mufasa became king; it shows his perspective. He is on a journey with a group of misfits traveling back to his home.
Highs
This new perspective introduced the story of Mufasa and shows background knowledge on how he became enemies with Scar. This had a good world-building of the past that keeps the audience intrigued and entertained.
Mufasa's character development was beautifully done, considering he started as a lost and lonely cub and transforms into a brave lion. His ambitions created a sense of depth in the narrative, showing the audience the pain that drove him to become powerful. He is a loyal lion who will protect the ones he loves and has a pure heart.
The historical aspect of discovering the Pride Lands’ past was shown well. The themes of legacy and family dynamics are mentioned throughout the film, emphasizing Mufasa’s story. The voice acting was a highlight, considering how confident Mufasa became. His growth was essential to the audience, showing the duality of the character.
The themes in the movie were a high as the film incorporated the the nature of responsibility behind his story. In retelling the tale to Mufasa’s granddaughter, Kiara, Rafiki emphasized Mufasa's importance. The bird Zazu (Preston Nyman) was a high because of his hilarious character. He showed this humor during the intense fighting scenes, giving the audience a lightness.
Lows
The lows are minimal, considering the history behind Mufasa was portrayed effectively. The inconsistent tone was a low because it sometimes contradicts the narrative. It can interrupt the balance between the themes in the film, such as drama and adventure.
The story of Mufasa was sometimes confusing, considering how he was lost in the water with his parents while he was so young. Background information about his parents was lacking. Establishing this could show the truth behind Mufasa's reasoning and personality.
The relationship between Taka and Mufasa became intense towards the film's end, and the reasoning behind it becomes unnecessary. The anger Taka shows Mufasa is not right due to how long they have been close.
Verdict
"Mufasa" is a perfect entertaining film for families; it has musical aspects that intrigue viewers of all ages. It has an essential meaning behind the loyalty of family.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Mariam Fakhreddine is a film and theater reviewer for The Eastern Echo. She has worked as a news and features reporter for The Echo for two years.
