The plot: Lost and alone, orphaned cub Mufasa meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destinies.
I was intrigued of this movie.
This prequel was pretty good.
Pros: Timon & Pumbaa were the highlight of this film for me. A lot of the animals looks more interesting & expressive this time around. I give credit for Barry Jenkins managing to direct this film in the best way possible. This film does encapsulates with the theme destiny. Kiros and the white lions were terrifying and intimidating. A lot of the animation was good & I view this film a bit highly.
Cons: Also the animals were not that expressive. A lot of the music didn’t work for me at times. it was having trouble getting engaged with the plot in parts of the film & a lack of emotion & heart.
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Drama, Animation
Directed by Barry Jenkins
Produced by Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak
Written by Jeff Nathanson
Based on Disney‘s The Lion King by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton
Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Tiffany Boone, Donald Glover, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, Blue Ivy Carter & Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.
Cinematography: James Laxton
Edited by Joi McMillon
Music by Dave Metzger, Nicholas Britell (score), Lin-Manuel Miranda (songs)
Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Voice Casts:
- Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, an orphaned lion who grows up to become the future king of the Pride Lands and the father of Simba.
- Braelyn and Brielle Rankins voice Mufasa as a cub
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion who later becomes known as Scar. He is a young prince and adoptive brother of Mufasa, and the son of Eshe and Obasi.
- Theo Somolu voices Taka as a cub
- John Kani as Rafiki, a wise mandrill who serves as the shaman of the Pride Lands, and a close friend of Mufasa’s, telling his story with Kiara, Timon, and Pumbaa.
- Kagiso Lediga as young Rafiki
- Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, a good-humored warthog who befriended Simba when he was a cub.
- Billy Eichner as Timon, a wise-cracking meerkat who befriended Simba when he was a cub.
- Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, a lioness who befriended Mufasa, Taka, Rafiki, and Zazu, and would grow up to become the future queen of the Pride Lands and the mother of Simba.
- Donald Glover as Simba, the current king of Pride Rock and Mufasa and Sarabi’s son.
- Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, the formidable leader of a pride of white lions known as “The Outsiders” with impactful plans who seeks revenge on Mufasa for murdering his son.
- Thandiwe Newton as Eshe, Taka’s mother, Mufasa’s adoptive mother, and Obasi’s mate.
- Lennie James as Obasi, Taka’s father, Mufasa’s adoptive father, Eshe’s mate, and the leader of his pride.
- Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter, Mufasa and Sarabi’s granddaughter and the cub princess of the Pride Lands.
- Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Simba’s mate, the queen of the Pride Lands, and Mufasa and Sarabi’s daughter-in-law.
- Preston Nyman as Zazu, a young hornbill and the future majordomo to the King of the Pride Lands who is Sarabi’s scout.
- Anika Noni Rose as Afia, Mufasa’s biological mother.
- Keith David as Masego, Mufasa’s biological father.
- Joanna Jones as Akua, a white lioness member of the Outsiders, and Kiros’ sister.
- Folake Olowofoyeku as Amara, another white lioness member of the Outsiders and Kiros’ second sister.
- Thuso Mbedu as Junia, an olive baboon who is friend of Rafiki.
- Sheila Atim as Ajarry
- Abdul Salis as Chigaru, Taka’s uncle, Mufasa’s adoptive uncle, Obasi’s brother, and the member of Obasi’s pride.
- Derrick L. McMillon as Mosi
- Maestro Harrell as Inaki
- A.J. Beckles as Azibo
- David S. Lee as Mobo
- Dominique Jennings as Sarafina, Nala’s mother, and a friend of Sarabi.
In addition, Simba and Nala‘s son Kion, Kiara‘s younger brother who appeared in The Lion Guard, has a cameo at the end of the film.
I still recommend watching this film in cinemas.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident film reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe