Over my winter break, I embarked on a truly magical adventure: Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, “Treasure.” On the boat, I was able to see the bright, beautiful blues of the Caribbean Sea and go zip lining across Tortola and scuba-diving in St. Thomas. Aside from these adventurous, hauntingly beautiful ports, the ship itself offered unique dining experiences and daily movies. I was able to eat dinner with Spider-Man, dine at the “Beauty and the Beast”-themed restaurant “Be Our Guest” and watch the movies “Moana 2” and “Mufasa: the Lion King.”
My favorite of these two was “Mufasa” — I was confused by the bad reviews the film received after its debut. The CGI made the animals look realistic, not fake. The vibrant colors complemented the savannah and tundra scenery, which helped viewers feel immersed in the divergent, powerful ideas expressed in the film. In particular, the final scene depicting the land of Milele had exceptionally alluring visuals and would be perfect for a virtual reality landscape.
Despite superb visuals, the music was quite disappointing, especially considering that Lin Manuel Miranda played such a prominent role in its composition. The music didn’t quite match the intensity or nostalgia which the original, iconic soundtrack evoked. As I left the theater, I didn’t find any particular songs meaningful or memorable. I believe that the music was a primary cause of poor reviews.
Despite my skepticism, however, I found that the overall tone of the film kept the audience at the edge of their seats. As I was watching, I felt genuine anxiety, especially during major twists. I was able to keep my focus solely on the film and didn’t have space for outside thoughts.
The tone quickly shifted from a surface-level kids movie to a movie with deeper, emotional meaning and complex themes such as grief, reflection and betrayal. I enjoyed seeing familiar characters and gaining insight into these beloved characters I grew up with. I was able to deepen my connection with these characters and understand their motives, and if I were to re-watch the original “Lion King,” I would do so with a new perspective. For instance, I would better understand Scar and Mufasa’s relationship, have a fresh attitude towards Scar and learn how Mufasa met other familiar characters (Rafiki, Sarabi, etc.). Particularly, as Scar evolves, the audience noticed how his desires became his downfall, which added new depth to his character. The film emphasized its connection to its predecessor by drawing parallels: the classic image of Scar holding Mufasa from a cliff, the bond between Mufasa and his mother and the protagonist looking at his reflection in the water to represent internal change.
I would definitely recommend this film to anyone who wants a joyful, lighthearted laugh with some added suspense. “Mufasa” is an excellent movie if you want to have a “feel good” watch without getting bored by a predictable plot. Despite the poor music, the enticing CGI imagery and camera angles really drove the tone of the film, which kept the audience hooked. I hope all you Observers had a restful, rejuvenating winter break and are excited for the year to come — hopefully you’ll be able to find time to catch “Mufasa.”
