‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ review: Jenkins delivers stronger film than 2019 remake

“Mufasa: The Lion King” roars in a way its predecessor couldn’t.

In theaters this week, this second live-action-meets-photorealistic-animation adventure tells an original story, whereas 2019’s “The Lion King” was a highly faithful update of the 1994 animated Disney classic.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Barry Jenkins, “Mufasa” is a visual wonder — it shows improvements in the technology behind it that have occurred in just half a decade — that crackles with life and courses with emotion.