30 Years ago, in a cinema probably not too far away Disney, after many years of direct to video and a downturn in box office hits cracked the code for modern audiences with The Lion King. Now three decades later, one broadway show and one live action remake we are getting a live action prequel – but do you need it?
The original Lion King came around at a time when Disney had a long time between box office drinks with most of their biggest successes being based on existing fables like Aladdin or the Little Mermaid. While still a powerhouse with live action films, tv, theme parks and more, this was well before today when they are just a few more franchises short of an infinity gauntlet Disney did not risk a lot when it came to original stories.
While we say original for those who have not seen it the Lion King is basically Disney’s Hamlet, just with a little less of the bloodthirsty revenge parts. With a King (Mufasa) fallen and a Prince (Simba) sent away who needs to return to reclaim his kingdom from the King’s brother (Scar) who assumed the throne. The big difference being, everyone is an animated animal, mostly lions and they let Elton John go hard as on creating the music as Flash Gordon let Queen.
This of course was a huge hit and the reason why we have more original Disney animated features today than just Has Christian Anderson/Brothers Grimm adaptions.
The new film Mufasa: The Lion King, is not a sequel but a prequel and not to the animated film but to the live action remake that was released not that long ago relative to the original. And when we say live action, we mean as live action as you can have with animals you expect to sing and talk with the film largely being CGI from the Lions to the comedic relief. Think less Richard Attenborough and more Walking with Dinosaurs.
Mufasa, takes a Princess Bride approach in retelling the origin of the fallen King from the first movie by retelling it as a bed time story to Simba’s daughter doing her best Kevin from the Wonder Years. We learn of Mufasa, a prince, washed away from his own kingdom to be found in another where he becomes brothers with the prince of that kingdom. This is before of course another kingdom who is conquering all the existing kingdoms comes along leaving the two princes to journey to find a mythical kingdom.
If that is sounding a little Game of Thrones/Tolkien you wouldn’t be entirely wrong with where the original film took inspiration from Hamlet, the new film draws from a little bit of King Arthur searching for Avalon mixed in with a big helping of another Disney classic – The Black Cauldron (which is also an adaption). All in all the film is much more about Mufasa and Scar’s origin story as they find their way to Pride Rock.
Much like the animated film and the ‘live action’ this one is also a musical with the soundtrack being original and from Lin-Manuel Miranda this time. While there is no talk about Bruno there is still some small ear worms that you might drift back on later after watching. BUT much like the prior Live action animation vs actual animation, there is a slight suffering in delivery as it jumps the line in realistic animals and being able to move their mouths to match the vocal performances.
That is not to say the film is poorly animated, which is definitely not the case with the film having detailed recreations and uses of wild lands to represent the film being set in Africa. While the use of actual live animals is limited (it’s very hard to get flamingos to follow stage directions) you will be completely drawn in for the just shy of 2 hour runtime for this film.
So should you go see it? Mufasa is, actually not a bad addition to the Lion King story. While not necessary, it does not take anything away while just adding to the whole. While the more cynical will likely have their own takes, you can certainly just look at it as Game of Thrones for kids. Aimed perfectly for the holiday season this a safe choice for family movie night/day/that limbo between Christmas and new year when time has no meaning, or just those who often find themselves banging out their own rendition of ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ when left alone in the car.
Mufasa: The Lion King is in cinemas across Australia from December 19
