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cover of episode Review of Mufasa: The Lion King – Kiros’ Roar (Banderas? Nope!)

Review of Mufasa: The Lion King – Kiros’ Roar (Banderas? Nope!)

2024/12/20
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Brainwave Sessions

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Mufasa: The Lion King" is a 2024 prequel to the 2019 remake of Disney's 1994 animated classic. The film delves into the origins of Mufasa, exploring his early life and the complex relationship with his adoptive brother, Taka. Framed by Rafiki recounting Mufasa's past to Kiara, Simba's daughter, the narrative is sprinkled with comedic moments from Timon and Pumbaa. The story follows young Mufasa, a cub separated from his parents, as he is raised alongside Taka. Together, they embark on a journey to find the mythical land of Milele, encountering both allies and dangers, including a pride of white lions led by the formidable Kiros.

The film boasts new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, alongside a score that nods to the original. Directed by Barry Jenkins, Mufasa employs cutting-edge filmmaking techniques to create a stunningly photorealistic visual style. While some critics praise the visuals for their striking detail, others argue that the lifelike animation detracts from the emotional warmth of the story, feeling cold and unnatural.

Voice performances stand out, particularly Mahesh Babu’s portrayal of Mufasa in the Telugu version and Aaron Pierre’s performance in English. However, while the cast is lauded, some reviews suggest the storyline feels overly familiar, and the new songs lack the memorability of the original's iconic soundtrack. The pacing and emotional depth of the film have also been points of contention, with some critics finding them lacking in comparison to previous installments in the Lion King franchise.

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