Mufasa: The Lion King (4 Stars)

This is the first time I've gone to the cinema with my grandson Oliver since October. That's a long time. Usually I try to go with him twice a month.

There are a lot of children's films being shown over the Christmas holidays, but he's been busy with other things. What my friends might not know is that the Christmas holidays last longer in Germany than in other countries. Most companies are closed from 23rd December to 6th January. The reason is that the 6th of January is also a national holiday, the Holy Three Kings day, usually called the Epihany in English. It's an important day in Germany, because the skeletons were buried in the Cologne Cathedral after being passed around for centuries.

The shrine is now on an elevated platform behind the altar, and it's become a place for pilgrims to visit. I find it strange. The three kings went to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. Today the kings themselves are worshipped by Catholics, at least in Germany. This isn't right. If the kings were alive today they'd tell us they don't want to be worshipped.

Now to the film. It serves as a prequel to the classic Disney film, "The Lion King". The story seems to repeat the plot. I found the film interesting, but what fascinated me the most was the beautiful imagery. I visit the zoo in Stuttgart frequently (in some months more than others), but the animals looked more beautiful in the film than anything I've seen in the zoo.

Oliver greatly enjoyed the film. That's the most important thing. I need to encourage him to watch the glorious 1994 animated film.