Brief Story Line
After the events of The Lion King, Simba (Donald Glover - Mr. and Mrs. Smith TV series, The Lazarus Effect etc) and Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter) had a female cub named Kiara (Blue Ivy-Carter). One day, Kiara was left with Pumbaa (Seth Rogen - The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Kungfu Panda etc) and Timon (Billy Eichner - Bros, Noelle etc) as Simba had to accompany Nala outside. During this time, Rafiki (John Kani - Murder Mystery 2 etc) joined them and later told the story of Kiara's grandfather, Mufasa.
Mufasa (Aaron Pierre - Krypton TV series, Rebel Ridge etc) was born from a normal family who had been very close with the king's blood line Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr. - Godfather of Harlem TV series, Elvis etc) from their childhood years and became like real brothers. Their lives were forever changed when a group of white lions known as the Outisders led by Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story etc) were trying to gain power over all animals. As Mufasa and Taka tried to save their lives, they also met with a lioness named Sarabi (Tiffany Boone - The Midnight Sky, Nine Perfect Strangers TV series etc) and they travelled together to find the paradise-like land referred to Milele, with Kiros and his pack on their tails.
So what would happen to Mufasa and how would he become the Lion King? You could find out in this movie.
End of Brief Story Line
OK, to be honest, I was a bit doubtful at first whether I would be able to enjoy this film. The early part was pretty standard with the original characters from the first movie appeared, but the film felt much better as soon as the focus turned on to Mufasa. And I really thought the story was amazing as the adventure felt intense and the relationship between Mufasa with Taka as the highlight. Obviously those who have watched the original Lion King and knew the story by heart (like my wife and many other parents who also saw the film), could have guessed how it would end. However, the journey was definitely worth the while.
In this movie, the songs were actually quite a lot and there was one time that I personally felt sung not at the best moment even if the song was quite nice. Fortunately for me, the movie focused on the exciting scenes instead of singing during the climax, otherwise I might be a bit annoyed. Talking about the songs, my wife seemed to enjoy them a lot and she felt they were better than another Disney movie that we both saw last month. I checked during closing credits and found that they were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda who was lyricist of live version The Little Mermaid, composer of Hamilton, Encanto and few other films. So his work was never a doubt. In here he collaborated with award-winning composer Nicholas Britter as well as David Metzger as the orchestrator.
Although the story of Mufasa felt adventurous and a bit serious, but the film still felt light enough with the occassional humorous moments involving Pumbaa and Timon. Both were still able to provide their witty remarks every now and then. The story telling was also a plus point as the built up, the conflict arising and the final act was well told. There were some emotional moments towards the end as well. But the best part for us was how everything made the story of Simba became way clearer with this movie. To me, this felt like a prequel that I did not know was required.
The voice cast did a great job here as they made us convinced they were real characters. Aside from those that I mentioned above, there were some more cast such as Lennie James (Peter Rabbit 2, Fear the Walking Dead TV series etc) and Thandiwe Newton (All the Old Knives, Westworld TV series etc) as Taka's parents King Obasi and Queen Eshe respectively, Anika Noni Rose (Body Cam, Bates Motel TV series etc) and Keith David (Nope, The Thing etc) as Mufasa's parents, Kagiso Lediga (creator of Queen Sono TV series) as young Rafiki and several others. There was also the cameo voice of the late James Earl Jones (who voiced Mufasa in the original 1994 animated movie) who was credited in the beginning of the film.
Overall I thought this movie was actually great as a prequel to the successful original, something that my wife and I never thought they could achieve due to the usual downgrade of sequels quality. The story was awesome, the songs were great combined with some intense, humorous & touching moments and the photorealistically animation was wonderful (it seems better than the first 2019 movie). Although the film itself might not be as great as the original animated, both of us were satisfied and entertained. Despite Critics' mixed review, audience were more receptive. Even some of the people who saw this movie in the theater with us yesterday also showed their appreciation by lightly clapping at the end of the film. Btw, there was no mid or post end credit scene here. So if you like the previous movie and you want to see the "origin" of Mufasa, then I believe you would have a good time seeing this.
Mike's movie moments rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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