Worried about Barry Jenkins taking on a “Lion King” movie? No worries!

Sometimes, a unique collaboration between an auteur director and a classic franchise results in success, as seen with James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy or Christopher Nolan’s Batman. Now, Jenkins brings his vision to the Pride Lands with “Mufasa: The Lion King” (★★★ out of four; rated PG; hitting theaters Friday), delivering a richly layered origin story about Mufasa and Scar, who began as close friends but become rivals.

This exciting new installment serves as both a sequel and prequel to 2019’s blend of live-action and CGI “Lion King” (as well as the original 1994 animated favorite), while remaining playful enough for children. The film presents upbeat songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, heaps of humor for younger audiences, a heartfelt nod to the original Mufasa, voiced by James Earl Jones, and a noteworthy debut by Blue Ivy Carter, Beyoncé’s daughter.

Blue plays Kiara, the princess cub of Simba (voiced by Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé). When Nala gets caught in a storm while away in the woods, Mufasa bravely sets off to find her, leaving the anxious Kiara with the wise mandrill Rafiki (John Kani) and the comical duo Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen).

To distract Kiara, Rafiki shares the story of young Mufasa (Aaron Pierre), who gets swept away from his family by a flood and is rescued by Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the pride’s prince, who has hints of his future villainous side. Taka dreams of having a brother, but his father, Obasi, hesitates to accept Mufasa, a “stray.” However, their kind mother, Eshe (Thandiwe Newton), welcomes the brave Mufasa into their home, tasking him with looking out for the insecure Taka.

The two soon encounter the ferocious white lion Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen) and his followers, leading to an emotionally intense confrontation. As their journey unfolds, they meet Rafiki, future companion Zazu (Preston Nyman), and orphaned lioness Sarabi (Tiffany Boone) while searching for the mythical kingdom of Milele. Yet, the dynamics of their group face challenges, including a complicated love triangle.

“Mufasa” significantly enhances the 2019 remake, which was co-written by Jeff Nathanson along with the new “Lion King”. The lifelike landscapes and animals in this film feel more authentic while exploring themes of identity, friendship, empathy, and chosen family—classic Jenkins territory.

However, the tale that Rafiki recounts, filled with deep themes, makes the frequent shifts back to the present—often featuring lighthearted quips from Timon—somewhat disruptive to the story’s flow. Though parents may find these interruptions jarring, children will likely enjoy the change in tone.

Music has always been a key element of the “Lion King” experience, transitioning to the stage as a Broadway show. The new songs in “Mufasa” not only enhance character development but also elevate the overall experience, blending seamlessly with some classic Elton John/Tim Rice numbers. Miranda’s compositions differ from his “Moana” tracks, as they take on a more “Hamilton”-style approach, elaborating on characters and their relationships in musical dialogue. (By the way, Taka/Scar definitely channels Aaron Burr vibes.)

Pierre and Harrison effectively take on the legacy left by original animated voices Jones and Jeremy Irons, imbuing their roles with much-needed weight. They perform the lively “I Always Wanted a Brother,” while Mufasa and Taka playfully embrace a moment of joy that we all can suspect won’t last. Mikkelson’s Kiros delivers the ominously playful “Bye Bye,” and Mufasa and Sarabi express their growing affection in the heartfelt ballad “Tell Me It’s You.” (The track “Brother Betrayed” pretty much tells its own story.)

The iconic Circle of Life that everyone was singing along to decades ago? Thanks to Jenkins’ unique style and Miranda’s catchy tunes, it remains vibrant and engaging.