“Mufasa: The Lion King” takes the storied leader of the animal kingdom to new heights of computer-generated animation.

The Disney movie is an origin story of how The Lion King got to be The Lion King. The animation is extraordinary, beautiful and detailed. The storyline will hold your interest. The songs enhance the movie’s drama and moments of romance and comedy.

“Mufasa: The Lion King” is presented as an “as told to” by Rafiki (voiced by John Kani), a mandrill and shaman of the Pride Lands and friend of Mufasa (Aaron Pierre).

Rafiki tells the origin story to Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), Simba and Nala’s daughter; Pumba (a hilarious Seth Rogen), a warthog, and Timon (a memorable Billy Eichner), a meerkat. The movie cleverly moves back and forth between the story and the storytellers and listeners.

A rivalry develops between Mufasa and Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), a young lion. Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen), leader of the white lions known as the Outsiders, is the antagonist.

The lions and lionesses include Sarabi (Tiffany Boone), Simba (Donald Glover), Eshe (Thandiwe Newton), Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter) and Masego (Keith David).

There are giraffes, baboons, buffalos, elephants and, oh, my, a hornbill named Zazu (a very funny Preston Nyman).

There are realistic fights between the lions, presented as variations of World Wrestling Entertainment matches or scenes from “Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021). Lions kill each other. The blood-letting is, thankfully, not CGI.

The lions and other creatures of the savanna are not the jovial creatures of the original animation feature, “The Lion King” (1994 ), nor its direct-to-video sequels, “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” (1998) and “The Lion King 1-1/2” (2004).

The lions are even more realistic than the lions in the computer-generated imagery reboot, “The Lion King” (2019).

The songs are by Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “In The Heights”). The score for “Mufasa: The Lion King,” composed by Dave Metzger, references the score for the original “The Lion King” by Hans Zimmer.

The director of “Mufasa: The Lion King,” Barry Jenkins (Oscar, adapted screenplay, “Moonlight,” 2017; Oscar nominee, director, “Moonlight”; Oscar nominee, adapted screenplay, “If Beale Street Could Talk,” 2018) keeps the storyline unfolding smoothly, working from a screenplay by Jeff Nathanson (screenplay, “The Lion King”).

The animation of the lions and other animals, the inspiring depictions of the landscape and the origin of Pride Rock is something to behold. “Mufasa: The Lion King” is truly a work of art.

The voice of James Earl Jones as Mufasa is heard at the beginning of “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Jones died three months before the film’s release. A title card states that the movie is “In remembrance of James Earl Jones.”

If you are a fan of the many manifestations of “The Lion King,” put “Mufasa: The Lion King” on your watch list.

“Mufasa: The Lion King,” MPAA rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give parental guidance. May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.) for action, violence, peril and some thematic elements; Genre: Adventure, Drama, Animation; Run time: 1 hour, 58 minutes. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous: In Argentina, the film is released as “Mufasa: El rey león.”

At The Movies: “Mufasa: The Lion King” was seen in IMAX at AMC Center Valley 16. The format enhanced the CGI of the movie.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office, Jan. 24 - 26: “Flight Risk,” a thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Mel Gibson, opened at No. 1 with $12 million in 3,161 theaters.

2. “Mufasa: The Lion King,” dropped one place from No. 1 with $8.7 million in 3,420 theaters, $221 million, six weeks. 3. “One of Them Days” dropped from No. 2 with $8 million in 2,675 theaters, $25 million, two weeks. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” stayed in place, $5.5 million in 3,097 theaters, $226 million, six weeks. 5. “Moana 2” moved up one place, $4.3 million in 2,550 theaters, $450 million, nine weeks. 6. “Presence,” the supernatural thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, $3.41 million in 1,750 theaters, opening. 7. “Wolf Man” dropped four places, $3.4 million in 3,354 theaters, $17.8 million, two weeks. 8. “A Complete Unknown” stayed in place, $3.1 million in 2,010 theaters, $62.9 million, five weeks. 9. “Den of Thieves 2” dropped four places, $3 million in 2,010 theaters, $31.8 million, three weeks. 10. “The Brutalist” stayed in place, $2.8 million in 1,118 theaters, $9.3 million, six weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Jan. 26 is subject to change.

Unreel: Jan. 31:

“Companion,” R: Drew Hancock directs Sophie Thatcher, Harvey Guillén, Jack Quaid, Rupert Friend and Lukas Gage in the Comedy Thriller. A billionaire’s death causes problems for a young woman and her friends on a weekend visit to his lakeside estate.

“Dog Man,” PG: Peter Hastings directs the voice talents of Poppy Liu, Isla Fisher, Pete Davidson, Ricky Gervais and Lil Rei Howery and the computer animation in the adventure comedy. Dog Man pursues the supervillain Petey the Cat.

“Love Me,” R: Andrew Zuchero and Sam Zuchero direct Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun in the Science-Fiction Drama. A post-apocalyptic romance about a buoy in love.

“Valiant One,” R: Steve Barnett directs Chase Stokes, Lana Condor and Desmin Borges in the Political Thriller. A United States helicopter crashes in North Korea.

Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of Jan. 26 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes