Everyone knows about and has seen “The Lion King,” but Disney has dived deeper into the storyline of “The Lion King” and created the newest Disney movie called “Mufasa” was released into theaters on Dec. 20, 2024 and so far has made $486.44 million.
*Spoilers ahead*
“Mufasa: The Lion King” is a movie that prequels “The Lion King” and allows people to follow along with Mufasa’s (voiced by Aaron Pierre) childhood as well as Taka aka Scar (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) The movie begins with Mufasa along with his mother and father admiring their kingdom, but there is very little water and not a lot to eat. One evening a storm rolls in and causes a flash flood to happen, as Mufasa tries to run away the flood gets him which separates him from his mother and father. These first few scenes help us get the idea of Mufasa’s first days as a cub, but I really dislike the fact that he gets separated from his parents so early because it would’ve been nice to know more about his parents and their kingdom.
The next scene cuts to Mufasa being rescued by his newest friend and brother Taka and his mom Shizuka. Taka’s family takes in Mufasa, but his dad (Ahadi’s) does not approve because Mufasa is a “stray” to them and forces Mufasa to stay with the females of the pride. Taka and Mufasa grow up together and Mufasa learns a very key skill of learning how to smell and pick up scents that are very old and can pick up different animals from the wind.
In my opinion, this is a key part of the movie and can be very easy to miss or just simply forget about. Later in the movie Mufasa having this skill is very important because it helps him pick up on the outsider’s scent and track them. The next major scene in the movie is when Mufasa and Shizuka are out hunting with Taka following behind them. All of a sudden they get attacked by two white lions known as outsiders or hunters. Mufasa kills one of the lions and the other escapes. This scene helps set up the rest of the movie, but one part I very much despise the fact that they never really introduce the outsiders; they just kind of show up.
After Mufasa, Shizuka and Taka all get back to the shade tree. They alert Ahadi and the rest of the pride that the outsiders are coming. Ahadi takes Taka aside because he ran away when the outsiders attacked and tells him that he needs to be more brave and protect his mom because he will be the future king. Before the outsiders arrive, Ahdai sends Taka and Mufasa away to protect the blood of the pride.While Taka and Mufasa flee from the outsiders they come across a lone lion named Kiara, she joins Taka and Mufasa as they go on their journey to Milele and run away from the outsiders. The group also comes across a lone baboon named Rafiki and he joins the rest of the group on their journey. These couple of scenes help set up the characters and the future roles they will play. One thing I really enjoyed is how Disney explains how Rafiki and Kiara join up with Mufasa and Taka and how they play roles in the other Lion King films.
Later in the film, Taka develops feelings for Kiara, but Kiara doesn’t feel the same and instead has feelings for Mufasa. Taka takes this very seriously and personally and while the others are sleeping on the mountain waiting for morning, Taka goes and makes a deal with the outsiders that he will mark their trail to Milele so that they can track them. When I first saw this scene, it shocked me because Taka and Mufasa grew up like brothers and Taka is doing all of this over a girl. This part is one of the key scenes where Taka develops his character and I like how the screenwriters included how the outsiders took Taka as a spy and a member of this pride.
The group eventually makes it to Milele and the outsiders arrive shortly after them and Kiros (outsiders leader) reveals to Mufasa how Taka betrayed them. The outsiders attack but the other lions of Milele stand with Mufasa and fight back the outsiders. Kiros is eventually defeated after Mufasa kills him, but Taka saves Mufasa because he is drowning while fighting Kiros. Taka pleads for Mufasa to forgive him and says to call him Scar from now on so that he would remember how he betrayed his brother and he now has a scar across his eye from the battle.
The film has grossed over $486.44 million. Overall this film was very good and is one of the better movies Disney has produced in recent years. The story helps set up the original “Lion King” movie and has a very interesting story of how Scar and Mufasa become brothers and then their relationship gets ruined. One of the biggest flaws of the movie is not introducing the outsiders, cause they really just threw them into the plot of the movie and never really introduced them and I think that brings down the movie. But this movie is really enjoyable and would recommend it to people who like live animated Disney movies.
4/5