Gemma Creagh gets her claws into live-action lions with Mufasa: The Lion King.
Under the roar of a storm, young lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter) shelters from the weather. Her father Simba (Donald Glover), now a brave, empathetic parent and leader, comforts her before leaving with Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter) to give birth to her sibling. To help quell her anxiety, the aged mandrill Rafiki (John Kani) regales Kiara with the story of her grandfather, Mufasa.
He remembers a time when Mufasa (Braelyn Rankins) was a boisterous cub himself, a great flood separating him from his parents. Thrust into a new landscape, he’s completely alone—until he meets fellow cub Tata (Theo Somolu). Joyously singing about how he always wanted a brother, Tata convinces his father Obasi (Lennie James) to allow Mufasa to join their pride. Distrustful of outsiders, Obasi reluctantly agrees but relegates Mufasa to hunt alongside the lionesses. In this subservient role, Mufasa hones his skills and instincts. Back in the present day, the storytelling is interrupted by Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), who inject their trademark meta-humor and physical comedy, much to Rafiki’s annoyance.
It’s a number of years later, when Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) and Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) are fully grown, and their pride faces a deadly threat. An outside group of lions stalks them all, led by the ruthless Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen). To protect his bloodline, Obasi sends Taka away, and Mufasa pledges to safeguard him. The pair hit the road, where where they befriend a courageous lioness, Sarabi (Tiffany Boone), along with her feathered advisor Zazu (Preston Nyman). When they meet a young Rafiki (Kagiso Lediga), this eclectic pride begins their journey to the mythical land of Milele. In this utopia, all the animals are said to live in harmony. On the way, Taka becomes consumed with jealousy after Sarabi rejects him. She is instead drawn to Mufasa’s nobility, sensitivity, and courage. She notes he’s a leader, which proves to be a second major point of contention for Taka. Meanwhile, Kiros’ violent pride begin to close in.
The visual scope of Mufasa: The Lion King is profound. Every detail is carefully crafted and captured cinematically—from the rippling movement of water to the gentle billowing of fluffy fur. The landscapes set the scene for adventure: icy mountains, sunny savannas, and lush greenery serve as the backdrop for Mufasa’s coming-of-age journey. There’s—for want of a better word—a real humanity in the character design too. Each of the key cast members has distinctive tics, expressions, movements, and gaits, while the action and fight sequences possess a power and weight that sell the danger.
Parents, be warned: the film’s runtime and a plot weighed down by dialogue and interpersonal relationships will likely exclude younger viewers. The narrative takes its time and indulges in several detours, giving extended focus to Rafiki’s origin story and setting up the sequence of events leading up to the original The Lion King. While the soundtrack has catchy moments, the musical numbers don’t always match the emotional and tonal range of the story. Lin-Manuel Miranda provides upbeat, percussive rhythms, but the darker, more introspective elements of the story aren’t represented.
At a time when hierarchy and class systems are hot-button issues, the film’s themes and writing are deeply relevant. The depiction of the three distinct lion tribes conveys very different forms of leadership. Mufasa’s parents, warm and egalitarian, speak with American accents, emphasizing fairness and equality. Obasi, obsessed with hierarchy and legacy, exerts a pressure that takes its toll on his son. They adopt English accents and a casual colonial attitude. Meanwhile Kiros and his lions—cast as authoritarian outsiders— are the “other”. Many sport foreign accents and accept Kiros rule through fear and deadly consequences. The climax delivers a stirring rallying cry for unity and the importance of chance. Positive, although not the most subtle
What proves much more interesting, and reminiscent of director Barry Jenkins’ earlier work, is the exploration of masculinity through the relationship between Mufasa and Taka. This is Mufasa’s coming-of-age story, where he learns to embody leadership without ego. This is in sharp contrast to Taka—a shadow self whose bubbling insecurity and entitlement foreshadow his transformation into Scar.
Mufasa: The Lion King is in cinemas 20th December 2024.
