In anticipation of the December release of “Mufasa: The Lion King,” I eagerly watched every trailer posted. I was excited to finally examine Disney’s revelation of Mufasa and Scar’s backstory, and I was not disappointed. The computer animation in “Mufasa” is much better than the photorealistic depiction of the animals in the 2019 “Lion King” remake because emotions appear more natural.

“Mufasa’s” white lion villain Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen) is malevolent and bloodthirsty in his lust for power, brandishing an ominous growl worthy of the tyrant he aims to be, while Sarabi, the heroine lioness voiced by Tiffany Boone, is vigilant and discerning, wary of trusting any lions outside her pride until her heart is drawn to Mufasa.

As a young lion, Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) exhibits compassion and valor, noble traits that propel him to become king of the beautiful land Milele. Scar (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), on the other hand, is timid and indecisive, which is mainly the fault of how his father, Obasi (Lennie James), raised him.

Even with this in-depth character development, some film critics — as evidenced by the 55% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes — have slammed “Mufasa” as an avaricious money grab by Disney. However, the 87% audience score confirms that the movie resonated with many viewers. Director Barry Jenkins told The Hollywood Reporter that CGI was “not (his) thing.” Still, a very favorable audience reaction proves Jenkins’ venture into the computer-graphic world of filmmaking was a success. Graphics aside, I enjoyed the simplistic telling of the flashbacks of Mufasa and Scar’s journey through the keen and reflective memory of Rafiki (John Kani), the outcast baboon who eventually became Mufasa’s trusted confidante.

The film starts with Rafiki being tasked to watch over Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter) as a storm is brewing while she is temporarily separated from her parents, Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyonce). Kiara, still a small cub, is frightened by the booming thunder, and Rafiki determines it is time to tell her about the greatness of her grandfather, Mufasa. Simba’s lighthearted sidekicks Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) and Timon (Billy Eichner) also help with babysitting duties and try to get in on the storytelling, but their happy-go-lucky antics are not as hilarious as they were in the 1994 “Lion King” animated classic.

Nevertheless, there is much to glean from the “circle of life” lessons that shape Mufasa’s majestic purpose and result in Scar’s dismal downfall. One of the main lessons is that significant consequences result from our choices. Scar, whose birth name is Taka, was not bitter and vile during his childhood. He rescues Mufasa, who had been separated from his parents in a flood, and they become adopted brothers. Their bond is affectionate and strong but begins to be tested after Mufasa kills Kiros’ son in self-defense to save Taka’s mother, Eshe (Thandiwe Newton). Knowing that Kiros will seek revenge, Obasi and Eshe send Mufasa and Taka away from their pride to spare their lives. The brothers decide to find the way to Milele, but resentment and envy begin to fester in Taka as Mufasa exhibits bravery and wise decision-making during every dangerous obstacle they face. When they meet Rafiki, Sarabi and her red-billed hornbill scout Zazu (Preston Nyman), Mufasa draws on each animal’s strengths to ward off Kiros. Instead of attempting to work with Mufasa and learn more from him, Taka succumbs to cowardice, leading to the heartbreaking betrayal of the brother he once fiercely loved.

In contemplating Taka’s trajectory in the story that leads him to become Scar, I thought about how I have earnestly prayed against jealousy staining my soul. Proverbs 14:30 says that “envy (is) the rottenness of the bones” while declaring that a “sound heart is the life of the flesh.” Rottenness in this verse means decay, and Scar’s spirit within him rapidly corrodes, trapping him in a shroud of evil. Mufasa represents the heart of a person whose will and intellect are upright. These kingly attributes also remind me of the promise in Psalm 5:12, which says, “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” As Mufasa’s story unfolds, a shield of righteousness follows him on his way to Milele, setting him up to be a beloved and prudent ruler.