Mufasa: The Lion King review – Disney can take pride in beautifully crafted and fresh prequel
MUFASA: THE LION KING
(PG) 120mins
★★★★☆
BARRY JENKINS, the director behind beautiful coming-of-age tale Moonlight, is back and this time he is taking on Disney’s savannah saga in Mufasa: The Lion King.
This beautifully crafted prequel to the 1994 classic animation and its live-action remake spins the circle of life backwards to reveal the story of legendary king Mufasa — Simba’s father — and his brother Taka.
Young Mufasa (voiced to perfection Aaron Pierre) is left fending for himself when he becomes separated from his family during a natural disaster.
Fate, however, leads him to a royal lion pride, where he bonds with Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr), a complex prince with a serious case of sibling rivalry brewing beneath the surface.
When tragedy strikes and their pride faces a deadly invasion from a rival gang, the two cubs must navigate danger and their growing differences to survive away from home.
Their story is narrated by wise baboon Rafiki (the brilliant John Kani, reprising his role) as he spins the epic tale to Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter — voiced by none other than Blue Ivy Carter, daughter of Beyoncé.
Jenkins and screenwriter Jeff Nathanson deliver a masterclass in storytelling as they dive into darker, emotional territory without ever losing Disney’s magic.
Pierre’s Mufasa oozes charm and poise as we watch the young cub transform into a real king, while Harrison Jr shines as the troubled Taka.
Meanwhile, Thandiwe Newton and Lennie James bring gravitas as Taka’s parents, while Tiffany Boone adds grace and attitude as lioness Sarabi.
With Lin-Manuel Miranda composing the soundtrack, the music hits all the right notes, with familiar numbers that pay homage to the original songs.
Disney’s stunning photorealistic live-action rendering transforms the savannah into a breathtaking playground, with sweeping vistas, fiery sunsets and jaw-dropping action.
Prequels can be tricky. How do you make a story feel urgent when we know its ending?
But Jenkins has pulled it off.
By adding new emotional layers and untold history, he transforms the familiar into something fresh and compelling.
BETTER MAN
(15) 135mins
★★★☆☆
THERE are so many questions about this Robbie Williams movie.
Is it a documentary? No, even though the singer narrates a lot of his own story.
Is it animated? Not really, because there are real live actors such as Steve Pemberton and Alison Steadman.
Is there a monkey in it? Yes, there is. There really is. A computer-generated ape is used to portray Robbie.
Which leads to the obvious question. Why?
Search me. I think it’s something to do with the monkey representing the former Take That star’s inner personality.
That might sound bananas but the AI ape works.
In fact, it’s the raging sapien which repeatedly gives Better Man a much-needed jolt of energy.
Better Man – in cinemas on Boxing Day – is very much “him, him, him” about Robbie and his struggle for self-improvement.
The movie takes us through the highs and lows of the lad from Stoke’s career, from teenage boy- band member to performing at the Royal Albert Hall.
Director Michael Gracey goes through those key moments in incredibly imaginative ways, including a massive monkey battle at Knebworth.
Unfortunately, the more I saw of Better Man, the less impressed I was.
It tells the same story as every music biopic – an unknown person becomes famous, takes a lot of drink and/or drugs, and makes a comeback.
Robbie should be applauded for his honesty, revealing his lowest moments, selfish behaviour and the power of forgiveness.
But will more than two hours on the psychologist’s couch with him entertain you?
GRANT ROLLINGS
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3
(PG) 110mins
★★★☆☆
THE spiky blue hero returns with more silly mayhem – featuring another hilarious live-action turn from Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr Robotnik.
Sonic, Tails and Knuckles (voiced by Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, and Idris Elba) are called on to stop ultimate rival Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves).
Outmatched by Shadow’s power, the trio form an uneasy alliance with Dr Robotnik.
Chaos ensues when Robotnik’s sinister grandad, Gerald, emerges with a shocking plan.
If you weren’t a fan of the first two films, this probably won’t win you over.
But it delivers exactly what it promises, largely thanks to Carey’s anarchic style and hilarious physical comedy.
LINDA MARRIC