Five years after the release of the live-action *The Lion King*, Disney now delves into the origins of Mufasa, Simba’s father. Coming to theaters on December 18, discover *Mufasa: The Lion King*! The Just Focus team had the opportunity to preview the first 45 minutes of the movie. With a mix of returning iconic characters and promising new elements, here are our impressions!

The Lion King: A Worldwide Success

When the live-action remake of *The Lion King* premiered in 2019, Disney fans rediscovered their childhood classic on the big screen. Directed by Jon Favreau (*Iron Man*, *The Jungle Book*), the movie boasted an all-star cast, including Beyoncé (Nala), Donald Glover, and the return of James Earl Jones as the iconic voice of Mufasa. *The Lion King* shattered records, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2019 in France, surpassing even *Avengers: Infinity War* (source: Allociné).

While this adaptation of the 1994 animated classic allowed multiple generations to see Mufasa, Simba, and Scar on the big screen, it received mixed reviews. As a unique live-action film featuring exclusively animals, the movie had a “documentary” style that drew criticism for its lack of emotional depth. Although faithful to the original narrative, some viewers questioned the necessity of the remake. For purists, this adherence to the original was a plus, but critics noted a lack of originality and emotional engagement due to the realistic yet less expressive faces of characters like Simba, Mufasa, and Scar. Despite these criticisms, the film exceeded Disney’s expectations, earning $1.66 billion worldwide.

The First 45 Minutes of *Mufasa: The Lion King*: A Promising Start?

Building on the success of the first *Lion King*, Disney ventures into a second installment. Instead of following the animated sequel (*The Lion King 2*), this new movie tells an original story. Directed by Barry Jenkins, acclaimed for his Oscar-winning film *Moonlight*, *Mufasa: The Lion King* intentionally distances itself from the previous live-action adaptation.

Without giving away spoilers, the first 45 minutes of the movie manage to humanize the characters more effectively. The lions' emotions are more visible, and their faces are more expressive, making it easier to connect with both familiar and newly introduced characters.

Exploring Mufasa’s origins as the future king of the Pride Lands, we meet a young Mufasa discovering his destiny. Accompanied by his companion Taka, who later becomes Scar, the first third of the film focuses on their bond as they navigate shared adventures. At its core, the movie retains its focus on powerful familial relationships, from parent-child dynamics to sibling connections.

While the opening of the movie sets a promising tone, the animation reveals some weaknesses. Fully created in CGI, certain scenes lack realism, exposing noticeable flaws. Despite this, the blend of new and familiar characters compensates for these shortcomings, striking a balance between emotional attachment and narrative tension.

During the preview of the film’s opening minutes, director Barry Jenkins shared that his team studied animal behavior extensively and drew inspiration from the original animated *The Lion King* to highlight themes of innate and chosen family bonds. When asked whether characters from *The Lion King 2*, such as Kovu, would make an appearance, Jenkins skillfully avoided spoilers, promising that the movie holds additional surprises for fans!