By Dwight Brown Film Critic for DwightBrownInk.com and NNPA News Wire
(***)
“Every being has a place in the circle of life,” and “No more kings, we are all one.” Those lines of dialogue sum up the two major themes of this entertaining prequel/sequel. It’s the successor to 2019’s photorealistic/animated The Lion King ($1.6B international box office), which was the live-action version of the 1994 traditionally animated The Lion King ($981M).
Anyone guessing what this chapter’s box office receipts will be, needs to consider the heavy competition during the holiday season. Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Wicked and Moana 2 are soaking up all the oxygen in the room. That said, Mufasa: The Lion King will definitely charm families and sell a lot of tickets. That’s due to its captivating, life-like photoreal computer-generated imagery and a narrative that’s compelling for its entirety (1h 58m).
Director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and screenwriter Jeff Nathanson (2019’s The Lion King) have created a storyline that champions all the values good parents would want to bestow on their children: Finding ways to survive and thrive in the darkest moments, cherishing friendships and family no matter who they may be and standing up to bullies. All are good messages, in times like these. Values that need constant reinforcement.
Rafiki (John Kani), an older griot-like mandrill, schools the lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter) on her ancestors and heritage. His recollections are witnessed by a fidgety audience of two: Pumbaa (Seth Rogan) the warthog and Timon (Billy Eichner) the meerkat. Rafiki: “It’s time. I will tell you a story…”
Mufasa (Braelyn Rankins), a small lion cub, is separated from his parents during a natural disaster. He washes up on a riverbank and is saved by another cub, Taka (Theo Somolu). His rescuer, a prince, brings him back to his pride. Esche (Thandie Newton), Taka’s mom, wants to nurture the orphan. Obasi (Lennie James), his dad the king, thinks the interloper should be eaten or banished. Of course, mom wins out.
