January 28, 2025 – I put off watching this because I was busy watching and reviewing a lot of other movies for awards season. Also, I wanted to see this in 3D, but that didn't work out, either. But I finally saw it yesterday, and I have to say, it's not bad. It would have been better in 3D, though.

This is both an origin story and a sequel to the first Lion King movie (1994) and the 2019 remake. According to the Internet Movie Database, it looks like there are a couple of other spin-offs of the original movie as well. So this one is not exactly original, but it tells a new story, sort of.

This story is told to the lion cub Kiara (Mufasa's granddaughter) by Rafiki, the old and wise Mandrill, to instruct, entertain and comfort Kiara during an electrical storm. Kiara's parents, Simba and Nala, king and queen of the pride lands, have gone to an oasis where Nala can give birth, leaving old friends Timon and Pumbaa to watch over Kiara.

Rafiki spins quite a yarn about how Mufasa was lost to his parents during a flood. He ended up in a far land as an outcast, but is taken in by a kindly lioness, a queen named Eshe, and her son, Taka, over the objections of the king of the pride, Obasi. But Mufasa shows his worth when he bravely fights to save Eshe from murderous invading lions.

During the fight, however, one of the invading lions is killed, the son of an evil king lion named Kiros, who swears vengeance upon Mufasa, Taka and all members of the pride. Obasi orders his son, Taka, and Mufasa to leave the pride to carry on the blood line far away, while he and the other pride members fight the invaders. He makes Mufasa promise to protect Taka on the journey.

During their travels, Mufasa and Taka pick up fellow travelers, a lioness named Sarabi, a bird named Zazu, and Rafiki, too, when he was but a young outcast from his tribe. Young Rafiki has visions about a far land called Milele, which Mufasa had heard of when he was a cub. As they travel, following Rafiki's vision, they are relentlessly pursued by Kiros and his pride. Eventually, they will have to make a stand and fight for their lives.

The story is filled with romance and adventures on high cliffs, mountains, in caves, and in a far, fair land. The story tells of how a lion became known as Scar, and how two brothers became enemies. The movie is dedicated to the late James Earl Jones, who provided the voice for Mufasa in earlier films.

This movie is in a form called photo realistic animation. It doesn't exactly look real, but it is close. Great strides have been made in computer animation in recent years, and this is state of the art. The songs in this musical are by renowned artist Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton”). The movie is directed by Barry Jenkins of “Moonlight.” It rates a C+.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff (no extra charges apply). I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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