Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

Release Date: December 20, 2024
Director: Barry Jenkins
Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani

A Royal Cub is Born, and So is Your New Spotify Playlist

Confession time: I wasn’t entirely sober when I sauntered into Mufasa: The Lion King. I had just enough of a tipsy buzz to wonder if I’d made a mistake by ordering the hakuna-ma-quarantini at the theater bar (because I’m the kind of critic who lives for themed cocktails). How do you follow up a juggernaut like The Lion King with a prequel about Mufasa? Isn’t his origin story just he’s majestic because lions are awesome? But within minutes, Barry Jenkins—yes, the guy who made Moonlight—had me tearing up, laughing, and googling savannah aesthetic wallpaper for my phone.

Mufasa: The Lion King is a lush, emotional, and surprisingly hilarious prequel that proves even Disney’s most sacred cow—er, lion—still has teeth.

Pride Rock, But Make It Extra

First off, can we talk about how absurdly gorgeous this movie is? The opening shot zooms in on Pride Rock at sunrise, and I almost spat out my drink. It’s so beautiful that it looks like God got a new 4K monitor just to flex. Barry Jenkins has turned the African savannah into a visual symphony of light, shadow, and fur so detailed you’ll be fighting the urge to pet the lions (don’t do that, by the way).

The plot takes us back to young Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre, who’s got vocal cords dipped in liquid gold) as an orphaned cub scraping his way up the social ladder of the Pride Lands. This isn’t just a “young Simba, but sadder” story. Mufasa’s journey is one of grit, survival, and figuring out how to be a leader when life keeps knocking you into the nearest wildebeest pile.

And Jenkins doesn’t hold back. This Pride Rock is darker and grittier than the 1994 film, but somehow it still feels uplifting. Think Lion King meets The Revenant, but with 100% less Leonardo DiCaprio wrestling bears.

Aaron Pierre as Mufasa: The Mane Event

Aaron Pierre is a revelation. If James Earl Jones’s Mufasa was a walking (pouncing?) TED Talk, Pierre’s is a scrappy underdog who earns his kingly vibe one claw-swipe at a time. From the moment he speaks, you’re hooked. His voice carries this mix of vulnerability and power that feels like a warm hug wrapped in a battle cry.

What really sets Pierre’s Mufasa apart is his emotional depth. This lion has been through it—losing his family, finding his way, and enduring some truly brutal lessons in trust and leadership. There’s a training montage with Rafiki (John Kani is back, and he’s STILL the coolest baboon to ever wield a stick) that had me tearing up while also Googling, “Can I adopt a wise baboon mentor?”

Pierre makes you root for Mufasa not because you know he becomes the king but because you see the heart and grit it takes to get there.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka: All Hail the Future Scar

But wait—let’s talk about Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka (aka Scar before the eyeliner addiction). Harrison turns Taka into a tragic, deliciously shady antihero. He’s not just evil for the sake of it; he’s the guy who always feels like he’s standing in Mufasa’s shadow, even when he’s scheming to claw his way out.

There’s a sibling rivalry between Taka and Mufasa that’s so sharp it could slice through an elephant’s hide. You can’t help but sympathize with Taka—until you realize he’s probably practicing monologues for his villain arc in the mirror. Harrison nails the balance of charm, bitterness, and raw ambition, making you almost wish for a Scar-centric sequel (okay, maybe not almost).

Timon, Pumbaa, and the Comic Relief Dream Team

Now, before you clutch your pearls: yes, Timon and Pumbaa (Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen) are back as narrators, and yes, they are still chaotic icons. Eichner’s Timon brings the sarcasm, Rogen’s Pumbaa brings the fart jokes, and together they’re like a drunk uncle duo at a wedding—utterly inappropriate but weirdly heartwarming.

Their meta-commentary as they narrate Mufasa’s journey adds a layer of humor that offsets the heavier themes. It’s a bold move, but it works. Just don’t be surprised if you leave the theater quoting Pumbaa’s “How many bugs is too many bugs?” line for weeks.

The Music: A Whole New Circle of Life

Now, let’s talk about the music because oh my Simba’s mane, it’s a banger. Hans Zimmer returns to score, with Beyoncé’s fingerprints all over the new songs. There’s an anthem during a training sequence that will have you humming all the way to your car, and another—Taka’s haunting solo—that practically screams Oscar contender.

By the time the credits rolled, I had already added half the soundtrack to my Spotify “Cry and Thrive” playlist. You’ll leave the theater singing about the Circle of Life, the Circle of Trust, and maybe even the Circle of Drinks You Shouldn’t Have Had Before Seeing This Movie (not that I’m judging myself).

Action, Drama, and... a Stampede?

What’s a Lion King movie without a heart-pounding stampede? Jenkins ups the ante with a jaw-dropping action sequence involving wildebeests, a perilous cliff, and Mufasa’s first true test as a leader. It’s brutal, emotional, and so beautifully choreographed you might forget to breathe.

But it’s not all action. Jenkins knows how to weave in quieter moments that pack an emotional punch. A scene where young Mufasa visits the gravesite of his parents is so raw, so beautifully acted, that you’ll be crying into your popcorn before you even realize it.

Nostalgia, But Make It Fresh

One of the smartest moves Jenkins makes is how he honors the original Lion King without leaning too hard on nostalgia. Sure, there are callbacks—the iconic Pride Rock shot, Rafiki’s tree, a hint of “Hakuna Matata”—but they’re woven into the story in a way that feels organic.

And Jenkins isn’t afraid to add his own flair. This Pride Rock feels more alive, more complex, and—dare I say it—more human than ever before.

Final Thoughts

Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel done right. It takes the world you know and love, adds depth to its characters, and delivers an emotional rollercoaster that’s equal parts gut-wrenching and laugh-out-loud funny.

Aaron Pierre’s Mufasa is a king in the making, Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s Taka is the perfect tragic foil, and the soundtrack will have you searching Spotify before you even leave the theater parking lot.

Sure, Timon and Pumbaa’s antics might not land for everyone, and the pacing drags a bit in the middle, but those are nitpicks in an otherwise roaring success.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8 out of 10 stars)

Until next time, keep your cocktails strong, your tissues handy, and your wildebeest stampedes far, far away. Cheers! 🥂