Disney’s highly-anticipated prequel to its billion-dollar live action adaptation,Mufasa: The Lion King, may not achieve the same box office heights as its predecessor, but it outshines it in one very specific way. The prequel, told in a flashback through the lens of a story that Rafiki tells Simba’s daughter, Timon, and Pumbaa, exploreshow Mufasa became the ruler of the Pride Lands. The narrative retconsdetails about Mufasa and Scar’s relationshipamong other elements, but ultimately leads to the familiar basic story ofThe Lion Kingthat audiences know and love.
Mufasa: The Lion King’s reviewshave been similar to those of 2019’sThe Lion King, but as it stands, it is tracking to fall well short of the $1.6 billion box office haul that the original pulled in five years ago. With a fresh story and asoundtrack from Lin-Manuel Miranda, expectations were high forMufasa, but if early reviews and returns are an indicator, it may be viewed as a disappointment at the end of its theatrical run. However, the prequel improves over its predecessor in one big way, and in doing so remedies one of its key criticisms.
15 Mufasa: The Lion King Easter Eggs, References & Franchise Callbacks Explained
Mufasa: The Lion King is full of references and Easter eggs from not only the 2019 and 1994 movies, but the Broadway musical and book series as well.
Mufasa’s Animals Have Better Expressions Than In 2019’s The Lion King
Emotion Is Visually Communicated Much Better In The Prequel
One of the most oft-repeated criticisms ofThe Lion Kingwas that, for as visually impressive as the photorealistic animals were, that very realism severely limited their ability to emote. The beloved original 2D animation had fully-developed characters whose exaggerated, cartoonish expressions acted as a key element in the visual storytelling. By contrast, the 2019 adaptation was little more than watching real animals walk around with famous voices coming out of their mouths at times. The talented VFX artists were limited bythe paradox of making realistic animals emote as if they were humans.
July 19th, 2019
$250-260 million
$1.6 billion
51%
December 20th, 2024
$200+ million
Pending
57%
InMufasa: The Lion King, the balance is struck far better. The photorealism of the animals is still largely preserved in the motion of their bodies and their surroundings, butthe effects team went far more animated with the animals' faces, which allows for far more emotion to be conveyed. There are limitations of course; Pumbaa is still extremely limited due to the sheer construction of a warthog’s face, for example. However, the lions at the movie’s center are far more effective at conveying joy, fear, and concern thanks to more animated mouths, eyes, and general facial muscle reactions.
How Mufasa’s Animal CGI Is Different From The Lion King’s
The Prequel Leans Into Animation More Than Photorealism
Director Barry Jenkins settled the debateabout whetherMufasa: The Lion Kingshould even be considered a live-action movie given the advanced level of animation that was involved in its production, noting thathe believed it should firmly be considered animation. Indeed, the very nature of how the two movies were made points to the difference between them as far as emotion is concerned.VFX artists weighing in onMufasahave pointed to the actual focus and intent behind each shot as the key difference.
SinceMufasa: The Lion Kingwas completed, director Barry Jenkins has voiced his hesitation about directing another fully digital movie again, as he did not enjoy the process as much as physically being on sets and working with actors.
For the 2019 adaptation, the focus was on ensuring the animals' realism first and foremost. Many shots were based in actual nature footage of how animals moved through their environment, and for the most part the cameras stayed grounded as if it were a documentary.Mufasa, on the other hand, played with different camera angles frequently, and often had it running and jumping right with the characters. It yielded a far more cartoonish finished product, but gaveMufasa: The Lion Kinga more lively aesthetic and more overall emotion in its characters.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Cast
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
