Entertainment Desk:

The first reviews for Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa The Lion King highlight a mix of praise and criticism. While some commend its emotional depth, others question its necessity.

The first reviews for Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa The Lion King are in, and the film has sparked a range of reactions from critics. While some applaud its emotional depth and ambition, others question its necessity and creative execution.

The BBC called the prequel “as pointless as that description makes it sound,” describing it as “a contrived cash-in” that might appeal to Lion King superfans but adds little to the iconic franchise. They criticised the focus on answering “questions that nobody was asking in the first place” and pondered why such talented artists, including Jenkins and Lin-Manuel Miranda, were drawn to the project.

The Guardian noted that Scar, rather than Mufasa, seemed to have the more compelling narrative arc, suggesting the film “should perhaps be his name in the title.” While it appreciated the origin story’s ambition, it dismissed the musical score as “forgettable” and described the film as “a minor cousin to the first film’s movie royalty.”

On a more positive note, Variety praised Jenkins for deepening “our understanding of and appreciation for the noble father figure” while providing “rich emotional context for the original story” and laying groundwork for future sequels.

Empire, however, criticised the photorealistic aesthetic, saying it clashed with the film’s emotional tone and made the visuals feel overly artificial. “We could have lived without all the snout-focused, 3D-calibrated framing,” the review lamented, adding that while the film is an “inoffensive and well-meaning adventure,” it lacked Jenkins’ personal touch.

Meanwhile, USA Today offered a balanced perspective, calling the film “a definite improvement on the 2019 retread” and commending its exploration of identity, friendship, and empathy. However, they found the shifts between Rafiki’s story and present-day scenes disruptive, appealing more to children than their parents.

Overall, Mufasa The Lion King seems to be a polarising addition to Disney’s portfolio, with its technical achievements and emotional themes drawing both praise and scepticism.

Directed by Barry Jenkins, the film delves into the early life of Mufasa, the noble Lion King who captivated audiences. Set against a backdrop of breathtaking African landscapes, the trailer hints at the events that shaped Mufasa and his complex relationship with his younger brother, Scar.

Mufasa The Lion King will hit theatres on December 20.