I’ll admit, I’m notoriously tough on Disney’s live-action adaptations, but Mufasa pleasantly surprised me—it’s an incredibly enjoyable film. Disney took a lot of feedback to heart this time around, dialing back the hyper-realistic look from the 2019 The Lion King and leaning more into fantasy. The lions are cuter, the environments more vibrant, and the overall feel more magical.

Let’s talk about Blue Ivy Carter. She is nothing short of incredible in her debut role as Kiara. She’s so charming and natural that she elevates scenes and gives a youthful energy to the story.

The score from Lin-Manuel Miranda brings music in line with the vibe of the original Lion King. His songs, of course, will not rival those classic masterpieces, like “Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” but they were fun, pleasant, and thus easy to love by the public of any age group.

The genius behind the camera, Barry Jenkins, had a clear vision for Mufasa that was edgy, but he was, at the same time, clearly constrained by the Disney formula. I only wish they’d let him go further because you can see hints of brilliance that might have shone brighter with fewer restrictions.

I’ll be honest, when this movie was announced, I had to wonder why they were even making it. A prequel to The Lion King? It sounded like the prequel no one asked for. However, the story is surprisingly well-crafted and feels fleshed out in a way that justifies its existence. It’s a massive improvement over the 2019 live-action adaptation, which felt like to many viewers a soulless shot-for-shot remake.

My one gripe with the story? (Spoiler alert!) Simba and Nala are entirely absent for most of the film, off having a new baby (Kiara’s little brother) while she learns about her grandfather, Mufasa. It’s a bit of a cheap plot device—I can’t help but feel there was a more compelling way to explore this backstory.

If you’re planning to see this, IMAX is definitely the way to go. The visuals are stunning and deserve the big-screen treatment. That said, a part of me wishes this had been animated. Call me nostalgic, but I’m one of the few people who actually saw The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, and I’m curious how Disney plans to fit this prequel into the broader narrative. Will they give us a sequel that ties it all together?

In the end, Mufasa is a nostalgic, feel-good film that explores what it means to embrace your destiny, even if you try to fight it.

Pros: Fantastic storytelling, way better CGI and use of tech on the lions

Cons: What would happen if we were able to push the limits even more?