Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” was released Dec. 20. This prequel to the 2019 live action film follows the story of Mufasa, an orphaned lion cub who befriends the royal heir of another lion pride, named Taka. Mufasa and Taka become as close as brothers, and they set off on an adventure with twists and turns. In the original “The Lion King” (1994 animated, 2019 live action), Mufasa is the king of Africa’s Pride Lands and father of the protagonist Simba.
Similarly to the 2019 film’s reviews, audiences don’t seem too fond of this prequel. With an IMDb rating of 6.7 out of 10 and 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, Disney enthusiasts may be discouraged from watching the film. But, “Mufasa: The Lion King” is actually one of the best movies Disney has released since 2020. It’s an engaging story and thoroughly produced masterpiece, except for the soundtrack.
The plot was interesting and creative, and very few parts of the movie were boring. It is clear that the writers on this film used their imagination. I got the impression that they weren’t as afraid of being bold and original as the writers for other recent Disney movies like “Moana 2” (2024) and “Wish” (2023). Unlike the latest additions to the Disney princess collection, “Mufasa: The Lion King’s” plot kept progressing as the film went on. Mufasa and Taka’s storyline didn’t feel as cliché and ‘perfect’ as some modern Disney children’s movies do. There weren’t any unnatural, forced messages for the audience to take away.
For a prequel, originality was one of the movie’s biggest strengths. The script and characters maintained nostalgia while still being engaging. Recurring iconic themes from “The Lion King” (1994) included ‘the circle of life’ and brotherhood. The most disappointing part of the film, however, was the soundtrack, considering the creativity of past songs of the franchise, and of this movie’s songwriter Lin Manuel Miranda.
Seasoned British artist Elton John and English songwriter Timothy Rice wrote the soundtrack for the 1994 animated film. These songs were creative and distinct, meeting the high standards of Disney songs. From “Circle of Life” to “Hakuna Matata” and several others, there is not one song from the 1994 soundtrack that isn’t iconic and unforgettable. This can be attributed to the variation within the soundtrack, which utilized multiple musical elements such as languages, music, and vocal talent.
The 2024 “Mufasa: The Lion King” songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda is particularly famous for his hit broadway musical “Hamilton,” in which he was the songwriter and original production’s lead actor. His other notable projects include Disney’s “Encanto” (2021) and “Moana” (2016). What made these songs so memorable was their distinctness. No two songs sounded too similar, making every single one memorable. Miranda also made sure to assign each character musical motifs, which would stick with the audience throughout the films, even if they were subtle.
By contrast, Miranda’s latest addition to Disney’s song repertoire was uncreative and didn’t add much to the movie. “Mufasa: The Lion King” songs like “Milele,” “I Always Wanted a Brother,” and “Bye-Bye” were surface-level storytelling. They didn’t reveal a lot about the characters and their motives, therefore barely helping the story progress. Although “I Always Wanted a Brother” and “Bye-Bye” were musically catchy, their lyrics were uncreative and vague in relation to characterization and plot.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” may not have delivered in its music, but it was a great movie in all other areas. I highly recommend seeing this movie, regardless of your age. Its animation and story live up to Disney’s grand reputation in the film industry. Like the rest of Disney’s greatest movies, this is a children’s film that appeals to older audiences too.
