ORPHAN. OUTSIDER. KING.

Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, gets to hear the story of how her grandfather Mufasa first met Taka, the royal cub who one day would become Scar.

It’s hard to see what in this formulaic prequel to the 2019 version of The Lion King attracted a filmmaker like Barry Jenkins, but at least it’s an attempt to do something fresh with the story.

Impressive photorealistic animation, OK new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, but overlong and framed by Timon and Pumbaa’s weak comedy routines.

2024-U.S. Animated. 118 min. Color. Directed by Barry Jenkins. Screenplay: Jeff Nathanson. Songs: Lin-Manuel Miranda. Voices of Aaron Pierre (Mufasa), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Taka), John Kani (Rafiki), Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Tiffany Boone, Donald Glover, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Blue Ivy Carter, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. 

Trivia: James Earl Jones’s voice, an archival recording, can be heard in the beginning of the movie.