Mufasa the Musical? Ain’t gonna happen. I’m sorry, Disney, but when the kids emerge from Mufasa: The Lion King still singing “Hakuna Matata,” (if they are signing at all) that’s a pretty good sign that your soundtrack isn’t much. When it comes to Disney musicals, if the music isn’t doin’ it, then, well, we can’t feel the love tonight, knowwhatI’msayin’?
Entering the Christmas season with pride this year is Mufasa: The Lion King, prequel to, I dunno, Aladdin or some shit. Like his son Simba, Mufasa becomes an orphan early on. I’d say this is unoriginal and contrived, but Disney has been making orphans as long as it has been making movies. Hence, early on a dam breaks and li’l cub Mufasa floats down a river where his doting non-dead parents can’t ever find him again cuz … river. This allows us to place Mufasa (voice of Aaron Pierre) in a new pride, where he is immediately the step-brother of prince Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.).
This is a rivalry that will span more than a movie, of course.
Being not of royal blood, Mufasa doesn’t get to play any reindeer games, like lying around. Taka’s father, Obasi (Lennie James) gave us a pair of choice Trumpian quotes: “We [males] protect the pride as we nap. That’s power.” And the priceless: “Deceit is the tool of a great king.” Yeah, ok, boomer.
None of this is going to help the “good” lions when pissed off Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen) and his pride of white lions come looking for revenge.
Meanwhile, Mufasa is learning hunting and extended research techniques from the females of the pride. We know he’s already got leadership skills far beyond Taka, and his ability to read danger makes it doubly so. This will come in handy when Taka, Mufasa, and three non-pride members all
search for a promised land on their own. It’s weird when you start a pride of lions with a hornbill and a mandrill. That’s normal, right?
As if anticipating we weren’t going to like any of the new characters, this prequel made sure we mostly got the old ones, whether that made sense or not. The film is entirely told in story bedtime form by Rafiki, Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa, four characters we already know disgustingly well from two films. And eventually, the film whittles down the cast and devotes an entire act to five characters, four of whom we already know well.
This is almost embarrassing, people.
Look, I know Mufasa is a big deal in certain circles, and if I’m being honest, if this film feels contrived, it isn’t nearly as contrived as Moana 2 … but I didn’t like that film either. Mufasa: The Lion King adds a little to the franchise. Sure, Mufasa’s origin story is very similar to Simba’s, but now we know that. Is it enough? I think it would be were the soundtrack better. As is, I cannot name a single unique song from this film. Which sets it about five songs behind The Lion King.
There once was a cub named Mufasa
Who had a tragic childhood, alas-a
The white lions came
Nothing was the same
Future king, you better get off your ass-a
Rated PG, 118 Minutes
Director: Barry Jenkins
Writer: Jeff Nathanson, Linda Woolverton, Irene Mecchi
Genre: Movies you hoped were better
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Disney marketers
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Orphans with living parents
