‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ didn’t deserve the hate

During my winter vacation, I embarked on a truly magical adventure: Disney Cruise Line’s new ship, “Treasure.” On the boat, I got to admire the beautiful vibrant blues of the Caribbean Sea, zipline through Tortola, and go scuba diving in St. Thomas. Besides these adventurous and hauntingly beautiful ports, the ship itself offered unique dining experiences and daily movies. I got to have dinner with Spider-Man, dine at the “Beauty and the Beast” themed restaurant “Be Our Guest” and watch the movies “Moana 2” and “Mufasa: The Lion King.”

My favorite of these two was “Mufasa” – I was baffled by the bad reviews the film received after its debut. The CGI made the animals realistic and not fake. The vibrant colors complemented the savannah and tundra landscapes, which helped viewers feel immersed in the divergent and powerful ideas expressed in the film. In particular, the final scene depicting Milele’s country had exceptionally alluring visuals and would be perfect for a virtual reality landscape.

Despite great visuals, the music was quite disappointing, especially since Lin Manuel Miranda played such a large role in its composition. The music didn’t quite match the intensity or nostalgia evoked by the iconic soundtrack. As I left the theater, I didn’t find any particular song meaningful or memorable. I believe the music was the main cause of the bad reviews.

Despite my skepticism, I found that the overall tone of the film kept the audience in suspense. As I watched, I felt real anxiety, especially during the major twists and turns. I was able to focus solely on the film and had no room for outside thoughts.

The tone quickly shifted from a superficial children’s film to one with deeper emotional meaning and complex themes such as heartbreak, reflection, and betrayal. I enjoyed seeing familiar characters again and getting a glimpse of these beloved characters that I grew up with. I was able to deepen my connection with these characters and understand their motivations, and if I were to rewatch the original “Lion King,” I would do so with a new perspective. For example, I would better understand the relationship between Scar and Mufasa, I would have a new attitude towards Scar, and I would learn how Mufasa met other familiar characters (Rafiki, Sarabi, etc.). In particular, as Scar evolves, audiences have noticed how his desires have become his downfall, which has added new depth to his character. The film emphasized its connection to its predecessor by drawing parallels: the classic image of Scar holding Mufasa off a cliff, the connection between Mufasa and his mother, and the protagonist looking at his reflection in the water to represent change internal.

I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who wants a lighthearted, happy laugh with a little added suspense. “Mufasa” is a great movie if you want to feel good without getting bored with a predictable plot. Despite the mediocre music, the CGI images and attractive camera angles really set the tone of the film, which kept audiences hooked. I hope all of you Watchers had a relaxing and rejuvenating winter break and are excited for the year ahead. I hope you can find time to catch “Mufasa”.