Mufasa: The Lion King (#637)


I have no rational reason for going to see MUFASA: THE LION KING on a chilly Friday afternoon. I knew in advance that I wouldn't be interested and be bored, and I knew the audience would be comprised of parents escorting wee folks yelling and wandering all over the place.  My predictions were correct, so I wasn't disappointed. I never liked anything about The Lion King when it appeared on Broadway, but this was purportedly life before the grown kin ruled. I suspect most kids these days know all about the story, even two- and three-year-olds, but they wouldn't have a clue about what was going on because I had a difficult time comprehending the narration and dialogue.  It was written for a much more sophisticated audience but who cares.  I was intrigued by the computer generated animals and scenery which were really amazing. Story line?  A cute lion cub, Mufasa, is separated from his parents and wanders far and aimlessly until he is befriended by another cub whose dad's the local bigwig who is disdainful of Musafa but lets him join the pride because of his wife. The rest of the film has Mufssa and his buddy trying to find his parents, and led by a monkey of some kind (monkeys and warthogs are the comic relief). Their trek culminates with Mufasa defeating some other lion king and acting like a union organizer by exhorting all around him, "animals of the world, unite!"  Not in those words, of course.  55% of critics gave it a thumbs up along with 89% of parents.  They wouldn't dare ask the kids if they liked it or understood what was going on!

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