The majority of movie remakes tend to be underwhelming compared to their original
predecessors. Lately, Disney, for example, has been making various live-action versions of their
beloved animated movies. Whether it ranges from The Little Mermaid, Haunted Mansion, or
most recently Mufasa: the Lion King.
Director Barry Jenkins, also known for directing Moonlight, Academy Award winner, and If Beale
Street Could Talk, was able to delve into the world of Disney and represent the becoming of a
beloved king. On top of an award-winning director, the film’s music was written by Lin-Manuel
Miranda. While Mufasa is not based exactly on an animated movie it is in the same family as
The Lion King and is a prequel to it. Mufasa: the Lion King appeared in theatres on December
20, 2024. It earned 35 million dollars on opening weekend and received a 53% on rotten
tomatoes. While the Lion King movies have been one of Disney’s most beloved movies, this film
has been met with some mixed reviews.

Having watched the film, I think it’s one of the best live-action renditions Disney has ever done.
Starting with the actual plot, it follows an orphaned cub named Mufasa as he meets Taka, a
fellow cub and heir to a royal bloodline. It follows as these two cubs become brothers and as
they grow up, they must save the Pride Lands against the outsiders led by Kiros. This is the
conflict but within the story, we see a story of growth, jealousy, and love.
In my opinion, the film effortlessly weaves together a new story with parts of the original Lion
King. It gives us the background to many of your beloved characters such as Sarabi and how
she came to love Mufasa, Rafiki, and of course Zazu. In addition to characters we get to see
how small details first started like Rafiki’s staff, the formation of Pride rock, and how Taka (Scar)
gets his scar on his face and why he is banished from the Pride lands. Not only this but we see
how Taka saves Mufasa twice by grabbing his paws which mirrors the final time in the original
Lion King where instead of saving Mufasa, Taka or Scar lets go of him to die.

At the same time, this movie effortlessly weaves the future in. The whole story is being told by
Rafiki to Simba and Nala’s daughter Kiara. This is almost a full circle moment as this young cub
is learning the extensive history of her family’s royal and courageous bloodline. To me, this
movie is sophisticated while also appealing to everyone’s inner child. It is a step up from
Disney’s past live actions and truly is an amazing movie.