«Boring prequel»: the movie «Mufasa The Lion King» received 59% on Rotten Tomatoes

The new Disney movie «Mufasa: The Lion King» has received mixed reactions from critics. Rating of the movie on the aggregator Rotten Tomatoes is 59%, and by Metacritic — 58 out of 100.

Western publications write that director Barry Jenkins, known for «Moonlight», successfully revealed the relationship between the main characters Mufasa and Taka in the first half of the film. Critics have noted the skillful use of close-ups to convey the characters’ emotions.

The second part of the movie takes on a typical Disney character with numerous hints of possible spin-offs. Because of this, the story of the relationship between the two brothers fades into the background. The journalists criticized the development of Scar’s character, whose transformation into a negative hero looks unconvincing and abrupt.

Film critics concluded that Disney has created a rather boring prequel to the legendary cartoon. Viewers won’t feel disappointed after two hours of watching, but it’s unlikely that this movie will stick in their memory. Here are some quotes from the reviews:

• IGN: «Mufasa by Barry Jenkins — is a powerful, uncomplicated work that should enchant children. The Moonlight director’s involvement in Disney’s CGI-heavy prequel left serious moviegoers wringing their hands, but the results speak for themselves: it’s a simply wonderful movie».
• Variety: «At every turn, Mufasa’s trials mirror those that Simba will later have to overcome, but the film does not glorify Mufasa’s power as much as it does his humility».
• Polygon: «Shackled by photorealistic animation that favors high resolution over expressionism, and by connections to The Lion King that constantly remind viewers of the original masterpiece, Mufasa never quite breaks free of the Shadowlands».
• The Guardian: «All in all, it’s a good tale from Disney’s talking animal continent, but less significant than the cinematic grandeur of the first movie».
• FandomWire: «”Mufasa: The Lion King” — a boring and ugly prequel to an already terrible remake that has nothing new to say — another corporate nonsense from a movie studio that desperately needs to get back to creating original content».

The story centers on young Mufasa, an orphaned lion cub who is destined to change his life after a fateful encounter. Taka, a noble heir to a royal family, becomes his friend and guide in the new world. Together with a group of similarly outcasts, they embark on a journey full of dangers and trials, fleeing from a cruel persecutor.

Premiere «Mufasa: The Lion King» in Ukraine is scheduled for December 19.