"this is a pleasant family watch. It has all the classic Disney elements and offers a new story that taps into our nostalgia"

In Mufasa: The Lion King, the story unfolds through flashbacks, taking us on Mufasa’s journey from cub to adulthood, including his first meeting with Taka (later known as Scar). The adventure follows a fairly predictable path, but it’s an enjoyable one, fitting the formula of a classic Disney movie.

Braelyn Rankins does a great job as the young Mufasa, before Aaron Pierre takes over as the character matures. Theo Somolu (young Taka) and Kelvin Harrison Jr. (older Taka) do well to bring Taka’s character to life, but it’s Aaron Pierre who truly shines in the scenes they share.

Blue Ivy Carter, making her film debut as Kiara, impresses with her voice acting; she stands out as the strongest of the cub characters, showing real potential. The film is framed as Rafiki (voiced by John Kani) comforting a young Kiara with a story about her grandfather. As Rafiki narrates, we’re treated to an unexpected side narrative that offers a glimpse into Rafiki’s past. His storyline was promising, so perhaps, if we're lucky, we'll get to explore more in the future.

A new villain, Kiros, is introduced, played by Mads Mikkelsen. However, the catalyst that drives Kiros to hunt Mufasa and Taka lacks emotional weight, leaving the character feeling flat. The absence of any real gravitas makes Kiros feel less compelling, and the accompanying song doesn’t do much to elevate his menace.

As Taka and Mufasa continue their journey, we meet young Sarabi (Tiffany Boone) and Zazu (Preston Nyman). Tiffany Boone brings strength to Sarabi, solidifying her as an integral part of the story. Zazu, on the other hand, feels a bit too innocent and naïve—his character’s humor, usually a source of relief in The Lion King, is mostly absent here, and the potential for comedic moments are missed.

Thankfully, we still get to enjoy Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen). If it weren’t for these characters, who inject some much-needed humor into the film, the flashbacks would feel even more removed from the heart of the story. Their familiar banter provides a welcome sense of continuity.

Despite being packed with musical numbers, the songs themselves feel underwhelming; though written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, they lack his signature lyrical complexity and pace. The lyrics are simple and, aside from one or two standout songs, nothing particularly memorable emerges. On the other hand, the instrumental score does a great job of evoking the original Lion King themes, with soaring orchestral moments that elevate key scenes.

The film concludes with a classic, feel-good Disney ending, but I left the cinema with lingering questions. There are a few plot holes that seem to stem from either editing cuts or convenient plot devices that don’t fully explain certain developments.

Throughout the two-hour runtime, there are several nods to the original Lion King, but it never quite captures the magic of the classic. Overall, if you’re a fan of the “live-action” Disney remakes, this is a pleasant family watch. It has all the classic Disney elements and offers a new story that taps into our nostalgia - just don’t think too hard about the plot.