Animation · Adventure · Family
Rafiki tells Simba and Nala's daughter Kiara the story of Mufasa, an orphan cub swept away by a flood who is taken in by a royal family. His bond with the prince Taka breaks over jealousy. Worth watching for how a photorealistic prequel handles a musical.
At a glance
Mufasa: The Lion King is a 2024 animation, adventure and family film directed by Barry Jenkins. This breakdown covers 4 techniques (2 narrative, 1 cinematography and 1 sound), each with the scene where you can see it. If you like how it is made, Toy Story uses several of the same techniques.
Wrapping the story in a scene where someone recounts it, such as a survivor, a storyteller or a passenger, so the telling shapes its tone and ending.
How this film uses it
Rafiki tells the story to Kiara while Timon and Pumbaa interrupt with comments. The telling shapes the tone and keeps a playful voice in a story about loss.
Where to see it
The opening frame: Rafiki recounts Mufasa's past for Kiara, with Timon and Pumbaa adding comments.
Making images entirely by computer and tuning the surfaces, lighting and focus to look like live-action photography. At its best, you can't tell what was filmed and what was rendered.
How this film uses it
Everything is made by computer and tuned to look like nature photography. Moving Picture Company handled the effects for the film's animals and landscapes.
Where to see it
The flood: young Mufasa is swept into a wetland by a flood, a scene built to look filmed.
Building a love story around 3 people, where each pair has its own relationship and the third person always gets in the way. Your sympathy shifts because each of them has a fair claim.
How this film uses it
Taka's jealousy over Sarabi turns the brothers against each other. Each pair has its own feeling, and the third always gets in the way.
Where to see it
Taka, Sarabi and Mufasa: Taka's jealousy leads him to betray Mufasa.
Writing songs for the film that carry story, feeling or payoff. Characters burst into music or a theme song resolves the plot.
How this film uses it
The songs carry feeling and story, and characters sing when words are not enough. They give the prequel its own musical voice.
Where to see it
The musical numbers: characters use song to show hope and conflict as Mufasa grows.
Questions
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