UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | March 18, 2025

Month: January 2025

QTalks—event that explored intersection of queer identity, LDS faith

by Carly MaxfieldPosted on

A group of four panelists gave talks on their relationships with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and being LGBTQ+ Jan. 24, 2024, at 6 p.m. at QTalks, which is an event hosted by the Utah Tech University LGBTQ+ Student Association.

The panelists all discussed “The Book of Queer Mormon Joy,” a collection of essays that analyzed the joy and connection that can come in conjecture with being queer and a member of the LDS church. All four panelists shared stories of how they personally found moments of joy and connection, whether they were members of the Church or former members.

Essie Gonzsen, the programs manager at Equality Utah, is the head of the southern Utah outreach program. Equality Utah is the leading nonpartisan group of LGBTQ+ rights organizations in Utah. They advocate for a fair and just Utah for all LGBTQ+ Utahns and their families, working with lawmakers to advance protections for members.

The event’s theme was finding moments of connection and joy for the panelists. Whether with members of their church or with family members who were active church members, each panelist described moments of interconnection with loved ones.

The first speaker, and one of the contributing writers of the book, Becca Barrus, shared a personal story of how she found a connection with her maternal grandmother after their relationship was strained by her coming out as lesbian. She talked about a special moment that happened between her and her grandmother at her wedding.

“I thought for a really really long time, like 10 years, that no one from my family would be there at my wedding, and so the fact that she [her grandmother] was there holding my hand was everything,” Barrus said.

Barrus ended her portion by stressing how important it is for reciprocity in our relationships with other people.

“Vulnerability is a gift, and it brings people together,” Barrus said. “Joy comes from connecting with other people in a real, meaningful way.”

The second panelist, Erran Speaker, is a transgender woman who rejoined the LDS church after experiencing years of struggling with her identity while being raised as a member. In her portion of the book, she told a story of how she was welcomed into relief society for the first time she attended church while presenting feminine. 

The third panelist of the evening, Jen Heiner, said that while the experiences of LGBTQ+ members of the Church are not always positive, they had positive experiences with loved ones who were members. Heiner shared their story of connecting with in-laws and relatives from their then-husband’s family after coming out as gay.

“I share this story knowing this isn’t common,” Heiner said. “I hope by sharing this story that experiences like this will become more common; [it] will become the rule rather than the exception.”

The fourth and final panelist of the evening was Troy Williams, the executive director of Equality Utah. On a podcast, Williams shared his personal story of balancing his religious beliefs and his personal identity, which he also wrote about in the book.

“I depart wondering if perhaps my need to be accepted by my family also requires that I accept them in all of their eccentricities,” Williams said.  

Williams talked about his connection with his eccentric family members and his struggle to come to terms with his own identity as a gay man. To connect with his family, he said his family needed to accept him as he is, and he needed to accept them as they are. 

While all panelists shared their moments of connection, they also shared their reality that not every moment in their journey was entirely happy. 

In a booth set up outside, the Equality Utah team laid out resources for students that included mental health services offered by Utah Tech, as well as stickers and prints for students to show their belonging in a community.

Community support is vital in making every student feel welcome and like they belong here at Utah Tech.

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LA wildfires destroy homes, memories

by Carly MaxfieldPosted on

Wildfires have been sweeping through Los Angeles since Jan. 7, 2025. For two weeks now, the fires have been windblown across 40,000 acres of land, destroying homes and lives in the process. Up until this point, the wildfires have at this point claimed the lives of 28 people.

The fires began as a brush fire starting in Palisades, a neighborhood in LA. They quickly spread and became a deadly wildfire. 

A number of factors contributed to the huge sweep of these fires including drought and dry vegetation, high wind speeds, climate change and a budget decrease for the LA fire department.

These fires have affected Utah Tech students and their relatives living in the LA area. One student, Madisyn Bishop, a senior English major from St. George, shared her family’s story. The families’ homes were located in the Pasadena and Altadena neighborhoods.

Bishop’s grandparents were evacuated in the middle of the night from their home and found out a few hours later that their home had been burned and destroyed. Bishop also has an aunt who lived in the area who has been battling with cancer and lost her home to the LA wildfires. 

“Their houses are completely gone,” Bishop said. “We saw pictures and all that’s standing are the chimneys.”

If you want to help Bishop’s aunt, you can check out her GoFundMe.

Their story of evacuation warnings in the dead of night is not uncommon. Many people living across LA have been asked to evacuate. At one point, there were around 180,000 people asked to evacuate their homes. 

Utah fire departments like Hurricane have been helping in California fight the wildfires. These volunteers are helping to stop the spread of the fires by setting up hose lines and doing structural protection work.

Jason Reed, from Pasadena, is Bishop’s fiance’s uncle, and he has also seen the effects of these fires in real time. His family didn’t live in a particularly dangerous fire zone until now, but the winds put their home in the line of fire. 

Reed and his family had to evacuate from their home and relocated three different times around California due to evacuation orders. Their house became uninhabitable due to toxic smoke containing lead, arsenic, asbestos and other chemicals filling the air.

Reed said another important contributing factor to these huge wildfire events is climate change.

“This has a lot to do with climate change,” Reed said. “I’ve been in Los Angeles for 38 years, and I’ve never seen this many fire events and this kind of Santa Ana wind condition as fierce.”

The overall dryness of the LA area is greatly caused by climate change. Higher global temperatures have sucked out moisture from plants, drying them out and causing them to be more susceptible to flame. 

Reed’s family does not currently have a GoFundMe but asks that those who are looking to donate do so at the World Central Kitchen.

Karina Boza, a graduate Weber State student based in LA, detailed her and her family’s experiences with the wildfires. Her aunt Aurora Barboza lost her home to the Eaton fire that occurred in Altadena. 

Not only were the physical buildings burned in these fires, but memories were lost as well. Barboza lost personal artworks that reflected her Latin roots, photos of the family, historical photos of Mexican relatives and many other treasured items were lost. 

“Nina [Aurora] stayed with me after being ordered to evacuate, bringing only a small suitcase and our family photos,” Boza said.

If you want to help Boza’s aunt after the fire burned her home, here is her GoFundMe.

Thousands of families lost their homes and even more in these fires, but community support within LA and outside of it from those with empathy toward the situation goes a long way. 

If students and St. George locals wish to aid, they can help by donating to GoFundMe’s linked throughout the story or by looking into other families who may need help at this time.

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Game day guide: Trailblazers’ weekly rundown

by Curtis KeddingtonPosted on

Utah Tech University athletics was led by the women’s swim team as they broke five school records during the first day of their meet with Northern Arizona University Jan. 24. 

Women’s swim

As part of their two-night dual with NAU, the Trailblazers led the Lumberjacks 48-46. Sophomore Grace Benson broke her own 100 IM record in the 4×100 relay, despite the team being disqualified. 

Following the disqualification, Utah Tech bounced back in the 300 backstroke relay as Allie Hayes, Dani Cannon and Mary Sims Cross broke the school record by over 13 seconds. 

The team of Yara Olsen, the aforementioned Benson and Alyssa Gordon continued the trend as they broke the school record by over 17 seconds. 

The trio of Abby Hill, Gabby Henry and Mandy Farnum closed the night out strong for the Trailblazers in the 300 butterfly relay as they shattered the previous school record by 15 seconds. 

On day two of the meet, Utah Tech picked up six more victories in their last home meet of the season as they prepare for the Western Athletic Conference championship meet next month. 

“We’re really pleased with the progress we are making,” head coach Shawn King said. “This was a fantastic performance by our team. We came in fired up on Friday night to race in some fun relays and set some school records, and then we turned in some very solid swimming today against NAU, which is a phenomenal opponent.”

Men’s basketball

Utah Tech’s men basketball lost their third straight game as they fell to the WAC defending champions, Grand Canyon University, 79-66 at Burns Arena Jan. 25 despite 19 points and 11 rebounds from Beon Riley.

The loss drops the Trailblazers fell to 6-14 and 2-3 in the WAC as they now prepare to travel to Texas for games against both Tarleton State University Jan. 30 and The University of Texas at Arlington Feb. 1. 

Women’s basketball

The Trailblazers lost 78-43 on the road at GCU, who leads the WAC at 19-2. Freshman Ellie Taylor led the Trailblazers in scoring with 19 points. The Trailblazers dropped to 5-13 and 1-4 in conference play.

The Trailblazers will now return home to Burns Arena for four of their next five games, starting with a matchup against Tarleton State Jan. 30.

Click here to see upcoming games.

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Blaze dance team ready to shine on national stage

by Karston MinerPosted on

Last year, the Blaze dance team competed in the USA Dance Nationals and took second place in the hip-hop category. This year, they are aiming for first.

The Blaze have been working hard preparing for the upcoming championship. The competition is Feb. 15-16 in Anaheim, California. There, the team will compete in two different categories: jazz and hip-hop. 

Adi Fairbanks, a junior individualized studies major from Kaysville, has been dancing with the Blaze team for three years.

“We learn two different dances,” Fairbanks said. “We clean two different dances, and we take both to nationals.”

Cleaning a dance refers to practicing the dance until they can perform it perfectly. Before they leave for California, they will make a quick stop with the cheer team at the women’s basketball game at SUU on Feb. 13.

After the game, Fairbanks said: “We are doing a little ‘send-off.’ We’ll do our jazz and our hip-hop performance, we’ll get on the bus and drive to Anaheim that night.”

Then, Fairbanks said the Blaze will practice all day Friday, Saturday and before Sunday when they compete, and then they will come home.

“On a weekly basis we have about a three-hour practice on Monday nights,” Fairbanks said. “On Tuesday mornings we practice for two to three hours depending on the week, Thursdays two to three hours… and Fridays for two to three hours.”

Depending on the upcoming events, they will practice on the weekends, especially with the championship coming up or for the games on the weekends.

On top of this, each member has individualized strength and stamina conditioning outside of practice. During practice they work on their dance routines or cheers for the sidelines at games, as well as parade dances.

The competing teams at the national championship will be judged by a few different criteria:

  • Choreography: includes creativity of the routine, difficulty and just general visual appeal.
  • Execution: includes the accuracy of the moves. This is the timing and the overall accuracy of the techniques.
  • Performance: includes facial expressions, appearance, energy, musicality and confidence.

Kaylee Leishman, a junior nursing major from St. George, has been dancing with the Blaze team for three years.

“I feel pretty confident. We’ve been working really hard, coming in earlier, [and] we’re having extra Saturday practices now,” Leishman said. “Feeling good. Our teams pull through together; we work together so it’s really good.”

Kylie Buttars, a senior integrated studies major from Pasco, Washington, has also been dancing for Blaze for three years. She said over the two categories they are competing in, she prefers to compete in jazz.

“Last year it was hip-hop, but this year it’s jazz for sure,” Buttars said.

At the competition, they are performing two songs. Their hip-hop song this year is “Cry Me a River” by Justin Timberlake. This was Leishman’s favorite song to dance to. The jazz song is called “All That Really Matters” by Illenium and Teddy Swims, and this was Buttars’ favorite song to dance to.

The dancers have been working hard to perform their best in the upcoming national competition for dance. They are determined to give their all.

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TikTok ban results in dark app, returns as President Trump grants ByteDance a lifeline

by Lindy BlairPosted on

TikTok users in the United States opened the app Jan. 18 to a message stating it was unavailable, but President Donald Trump was working to restore it. Less than 12 hours later, TikTok was online again. 

TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to upload and watch short videos. The app has gained popularity since its international release in 2017, obtaining over 170 million users in the U.S. 

TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance. During President Trump’s first term, he attempted to remove TikTok from app stores due to security concerns regarding ByteDance. It has since been a topic of concern for Congress. 

Government officials are concerned about ByteDance’s ties with China. Geoff Allen, assistant professor of political science, said ByteDance has “tight” relations with the Chinese Communist party, including participating “in the development of monitoring technologies for the domestic population.” He said it is fair to believe the data TikTok stores is not secure from the Chinese state.  

Politicians are concerned about data being stolen because it can be used to influence American politics.

Nathan Snow, assistant professor of communication, called social media “one of the least recognized superpowers… [it] has been shown to topple governments and bring new ones about.”

Congress passed and signed into law the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act April 24, 2024. This law prevents app stores from distributing applications owned by companies located in foreign adversaries. Operations that allow downloads may face fines of up to $5,000 per person. It also gave apps owned by foreign adversaries 180 days to find new owners before facing bans. 

As the deadline of Jan. 19 approached, Americans waited to discover if TikTok would be banned. They found out Jan. 18 that ByteDance had removed access to the app completely. 

However, less than 12 hours later, TikTok was back online in the U.S. bearing a message that gave credit to President Donald Trump for the restoration. The next day, President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office, allowing a 75-day extension for ByteDance to find a new owner of TikTok.

Vince Brown, director of the Institute of Politics and Public Affairs, said U.S. presidents are made aware of national security concerns at the beginning of their term.

“They know a great deal… and you can just see it over their faces for the next four years,” Brown said.

He said their knowledge on the topic seems to be an indicator of TikTok’s removal, but President Trump is moving forward with the 75-day extension.  

For TikTok to continue its availability in the U.S. it must be sold to an American company. Only a few people are serious about buying the company, including former U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, but ByteDance has shared it does not plan to sell. 

President Trump has proposed the U.S. government purchase 50% of TikTok. He said that by doing this TikTok will be saved, and in “good hands.” But, Allen said Congress would not be willing to buy TikTok, and a 50/50 ownership is not likely. 

Without a new owner, TikTok would not be distributed through app stores or receive updates. It would eventually become unusable and irrelevant. Snow said TikTok being banned would “leave a hole,” but people aren’t going to give up on social media.

We have already seen people move to new social media apps as a result of the ban. Apps where you can find content similar to TikTok are making their way to the stage. RedNote, Instagram and YouTube are among the most popular app migrations.

The fate of TikTok is still up in the air, but content creators will continue finding ways to share their stories.

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Updates for 2025 commencement: Multiple ceremonies aim to beat the heat, enhance experience

by Rylee HjorthPosted on

For the graduating class of 2025 at Utah Tech University, the commencement ceremony is going to look different compared to previous years. Each year, the ceremony has come with a host of challenges that the university is hoping to resolve with these adjustments.

Instead of holding one ceremony for all graduating students, there will be multiple ceremonies held throughout May 1-2. Associate degree recipients will have one ceremony May 1 at 7 p.m. in the M. Anthony Burns Arena. On May 2, there will be three bachelor’s and master’s ceremonies that are separated by college. Each will take place in the Burns Arena.

  • The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Arts will have their ceremony at 9 a.m.
  • The College of Health Sciences and College of Education will have their ceremony at 2 p.m.
  • The College of Science, Engineering, and Technology and the College of Business will have their ceremony at 7 p.m.

In previous years, commencement was celebrated during a single ceremony that took place in the arena, but as Utah Tech’s student population grew, the ceremony was moved outside to Greater Zion Stadium.

This situation introduced a new problem as the outdoor temperatures in May can reach up to 80 degrees. To avoid the warm weather, the university has held a ceremony in the morning, and then another in the evening.

Del Beatty, the vice president of student affairs, is hopeful that the change will be a positive one.

“We don’t have to worry about bad weather or it being too hot or raining or windy,” Beatty said. “And so that way, we can still give a very personalized but professional [ceremony].”

Beatty also said the change might pose a challenge to faculty and staff members who want to attend commencement because they will be sitting through the various ceremonies for two days straight.

However, he said the change was made with the belief that it’d be more beneficial for the students and that he, himself, is a big advocate for them. He is optimistic about the change and hopes that the students will receive it well.

“I was really interested when it came out,” Kayla Gonzalez, a senior marketing major from Ogden, said. “I think it could be cool. I know some graduations that go on and on… I think it might meet a lot of people’s needs.”

Not all agree with this. Nathan Thomas, a senior history major from Stansbury, had a different point of view on the matter. 

“My energy is, I understand the need for the change, but it will make graduation less exciting,” Thomas said. “I think things will be a little more organized. I mean, they were having logistical issues with the graduation previously… but, you know, it is a little less exciting that we won’t get to see everyone that we’re graduating with.”

More information about the ceremonies, including a detailed schedule that includes lineup times for the graduates can be found here.

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OPINION | Turning pages, not screens: why physical books will always be superior

by Madisyn BishopPosted on

Whether it’s opening a new book, going to a book store or sitting down with a cup of tea after a long day, reading a physical book is more than just reading; it’s the feel and smell of the book that makes it an incredible experience.

With the ever-looming threat of censorship and book banning, rumors surrounding literacy rates have reached an all-time high.

In truth, it’s terrifying to think about people not wanting to pick up a book, and scarier to think about people losing the ability to read.

When people ask me about my major, I almost always get the same response: “I can’t believe you’re an English major. I haven’t read a book in years!”

Whenever I hear this response, I understand it’s a joke, but deep down, it hurts to think that people believe reading for pleasure is some kind of masochistic pastime.

Despite these jokes, reading rates have statistically skyrocketed since the rise of “BookTok.” In a study conducted on TikTok users in the United States, people reported seeing a massive trend in reading rates due to the exposure from TikTok.

The Words Rated study reports: “48% of TikTok users read more books because of BookTok; the average American user of TikTok is reading 60% more books compared to the period before exposure to BookTok; 62% of TikTok users from the [U.S.] have read at least one book based on the recommendation from BookTok.”

While this is good news for reading—even if the majority of BookTok promotes reading intense smut—it still leaves a large gap for the significant decrease in literacy.

With the rising popularity of platforms, like BookTok, comes a change in how people read. Part of this change includes the debate between physical books and e-books. This debate is incredibly controversial, with many people afraid books are dying and will be replaced by e-books.

A study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics reported a significant, and frankly alarming, decline in reading skills among elementary students after the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study showed that reading rates among 9 year olds saw a steep decline in reading skills, the lowest ever reported since 1990. In 13 year olds, the average reading percentage experienced a 5% drop in all percentiles, even their highest-scoring students were performing significantly lower.

According to the NCES, this is due to the change in education during COVID-19, which coincidentally, when reading rates due to BookTok started climbing.

As an avid reader, I read all three book formats: audiobooks, e-books and physical books, all of which have their pros and cons.

I am not an expert, nor am I a scientist, but changing how people read could not only improve literacy rates, but it could entice people to read more often.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education claims e-books could increase distractions instead of promoting reading; however, when taking into consideration devices like Kindles that don’t allow internet connection, this could force students to only read—not scroll social media.

A Kindle is essentially a portable book that allows people to read anywhere at any time. I have dozens of books on my Kindle, and I carry it around everywhere. While I do love reading a physical book, I swear I can read faster on my Kindle. This is due to the font customization, that allows me to pick a font size that works best for me.

However, reading a physical book also allows the reader to step outside of the digital world and into a fictional one in a way that e-books simply can not do.

Through this, it’s entirely possible that e-books could improve reading rates and literacy rates, but nobody can deny that there’s just something so special about reading a physical book.

My bookshelves are also some of my favorite things in the world, almost as if it’s an extension of everything that’s happened in my life. I have books from classes I’ve taken, annotated and loved; books from when I was in middle school, with spines broken and pages dog-eared; each book is incredibly important to me, and holds a special memory of reading and loving each book.

I also have special editions of my favorite book, “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab. I have five editions of this book, and I love each one of them. I also have a few different editions of “Harry Potter” and other special edition books that have sprayed edges and beautiful art.

This experience that comes with reading a physical book is like no other, and while I do read and love audiobooks and e-books, physical books are superior to any other format because it’s an experience. Though it’s impossible to deny, whatever format, reading a book in any format is better than never reading one at all.

There’s truly nothing better than sitting down after an incredibly long day, opening up a book and just leaving the world for a little while, even if it is for a few hours or less. So, whether it’s an audiobook, an ebook or a physical book, just go pick up a book and step into a new world for a little while.

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OPINION | From Disney dreams to Disney World: how one leap of faith changed my life

by Annie MuirbrookPosted on

“You’ve been accepted into the Disney College Program,” are words I didn’t think I’d ever see. But in the summer of 2024, a few weeks after returning home from another academic year at Utah Tech University, there they were.

Before I share how I ended up working at Walt Disney World, I need to take you back to the beginning and why every student should participate in a semester abroad. 

It was at Disneyland that I first dreamed of working for The Walt Disney Company. I’d heard about the Disney College Program in high school, and the thought of combining work with the magic of Disney seemed like the perfect opportunity. So, when I saw an opportunity later in life, I knew I had to apply. 

Fast forward to April 2024. I was at a point in my academic career where everything seemed to be going good. I had good grades, a position at Sun News Daily and a bright future ahead of me, but I needed a break. I had heard about study abroad programs and internships being advertised as “life-changing,” and I’d seen how they were talked about with excitement by students both on campus and online.

So, when I saw the DCP applications were closing, I thought, “Why not?” I applied on a whim, unsure of what the outcome would be. I don’t know if it was the lack of sleep or the third Dr. Pepper in my system, but I knew I had to take a leap of faith. I honestly never thought I’d be accepted into a program with only a 20% acceptance rate. 

When I got to Orlando, I was a bundle of nerves, to say the least. I was alone, about to start a new job, meet new friends and live thousands of miles away from home. But as I took that first step to Disney World, I realized something that’s stuck with me: Take the leap, even if you don’t know where it will lead you. I could have stayed in my comfortable routine, never venturing outside my “normal.” But by taking the chance to be in an unfamiliar place, I grew in ways I never thought possible. 

The same holds true for students who study abroad, immersing themselves in a new culture, living in a new environment and building relationships with people from around the world. Employers value candidates who’ve demonstrated adaptability, cultural awareness and resilience—qualities you can only gain by studying abroad and living somewhere new.

One of the biggest lessons I learned working at Disney World was how powerful it is to take a step into the unknown. If I had never made the decision to go to Disney, I wouldn’t have met the people I now call family. The growth I experienced wasn’t just professional—it was personal. Being employed by Disney, one of the world’s most iconic companies, which is so dear to my heart, was an experience like no other. Some days were tough, but the rewards made it all worth it. 

I remember wearing my name tag with Utah Tech University proudly displayed alongside my name. It was an emotional reminder of where I came from and what I represented. I wasn’t just working at Disney; I was also representing my home and school.

Every time I helped a guest create a magical memory, I knew I was part of something bigger. It wasn’t just a job. It was a chance to make a lasting impact on someone’s life, and that’s something you don’t get to experience every day. 

So, whether you’re considering studying abroad or applying for an internship, I encourage you to take that leap. College is a time for growth, adventure and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. You’ll gain valuable skills, make lifelong friends and have experiences that will shape you into the person you’re meant to become. 

When you immerse yourself in a new environment, you discover new ways of thinking and new perspectives on life. You meet people from all over the world, hear their stories and find common ground in the most unexpected ways. 

During my semester in Florida, I made some of the best friends I could ever ask for. The people who I didn’t know five months ago are a part of my life, and I couldn’t see it any other way. We shared our first Christmases away from home, celebrated life milestones and supported each other when things got tough. Saying goodbye to them was harder than I ever imagined. 

The memories I made in Disney World—the people watching on Sunset Boulevard In Hollywood Studios, eating Mickey Bars after work and enjoying rides in Magic Kingdom—will always hold a special place in my heart. Studying abroad or doing an internship gives you memories you will cherish forever. You never know who you’ll meet, what new experiences you’ll have or how much you’ll grow as a person. Every day was filled with something new. 

And if you’re still unsure, here’s my word of advice: Take the leap. Whether it’s a semester abroad or an internship, you’ll never regret stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. It will be hard. You will have days that feel like you can’t go on, but it is worth it. You’ll discover more about yourself than you ever thought possible.

Internships and programs like the Disney College Program or studying abroad are more than just academic resume builders; they’re life-changing opportunities. These programs expose you to new perspectives, cultures and challenges that help you grow as a person. Whether it’s studying in a different country, or, like me, working at the most magical place on earth, these experiences set you apart in a competitive job market. Employers value students who have taken the initiative and have stepped outside of their comfort zone.

The Disney College Program has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I experienced so many highs and lows I wouldn’t change it any other way.

The truth behind it all is this: You won’t want to leave. Saying goodbye will be harder than you think, and that’s the beauty of it. The people you meet and the experiences you have will shape you in ways you never imagined. My time in Florida was one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I wouldn’t change a single moment.

So, if you are looking for a change, a new opportunity or a place to grow, find a study abroad program and wait for the moment to change your life. A study abroad program isn’t just a resume builder; it’s a chance to discover the world and find yourself in the process.

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Big Screen Verdict: ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’

by Lexy BorgognoPosted on

Despite the sheer horror that was “The Lion King” live-action, I can confidently say “Mufasa: The Lion King” exceeded my expectations.

I didn’t like the live-action remake because that’s a story we all know and love. You can’t recreate something that iconic and have it be enjoyable to watch because you’d rather watch the original animated movie. 

So, going into “Mufasa” I had hesitations purely based on how much I disliked “The Lion King” live action. 

However, “Mufasa” was one of my favorite movies that was released in 2024. 

What worked

Let me start with this: I adore “The Lion King.” It is my all-time favorite Disney movie. No doubt about it. No questions. It is my favorite. 

So, I have an emotional connection to the “Mufasa” storyline because of my love for this franchise. And let me tell you, one of the first things you see when “Mufasa” starts is a blank, black screen that reads, “In Remembrance of James Earl Jones.”

Jones was the voice of Mufasa in the original animated movie. When I saw this on screen, I knew this wasn’t going to be a movie that was thrown together just praying for a box office hit. I knew this would be a movie that was intentional with every move it made. 

And I was not let down. 

“Mufasa: The Lion King” is the story of how Mufasa came to be King of the Pride Lands. It shows how he grew up and how he met key characters like Scar, Sarabi and Rafiki. 

What I enjoy about this movie is that it’s a story I’ve never heard. Watching it was something new, and I love how it expanded on what I already knew from the original animated movie. 

The film shows Mufasa as vulnerable, humble and conflicted, which is something we previously never had a picture of. From the animated film, we know Mufasa as the confident ruler of the Pride Lands who took action to protect his loved ones. So, in “Mufasa,” we come to understand how the events in his young life make him the great king that he is. 

It was intriguing to see him as a character who was reluctant to feel deserving of good things. He felt relatable in that way. Mufasa struggled to come to terms with his emotions and even buried his feelings. Watching him be young and experience self-doubt was like reliving the times I’ve felt like that. 

I enjoyed seeing Mufasa meet those key characters and we even got to see some of their own backgrounds as well. It felt like a full circle, a come together moment where everything you previously knew was joined with all this new information. 

Like I said, everything felt intentional. The storyline was believable and all the Easter eggs that nod to the original were subtle, yet clicked in your brain when watching, like Scar grabbing and hooking onto Mufasa’s front paws. Genius writing there. 

I don’t know that much about photorealistic computer-generated imagery, which is used to make this a live action. But, I did feel immersed in the film. So, it must be pretty good for me to feel like I could see each strand of hair in all the lions’ manes. 

What didn’t work 

The music. We all know Lin-Manuel Miranda cooks. But I’ll be honest. Upon first watching, I didn’t like the music. It felt jarring in some scenes, and I originally felt like I just took away from the story. 

However, after seeing TikTok after TikTok after TikTok of people playing the line, “What did you say ‘bout my brother?” in the song “I Always Wanted a Brother,” I now know Miranda only makes catchy music. 

I like that song, and even others like “Bye Bye” and “Tell Me It’s You.” These songs alone are catchy and straight bops. 

But, hot take: I still stand strong on the fact that the movie didn’t need music. The solution for me would’ve been to still release these songs on streaming platforms as a bonus. But, the movie did not need these musical moments because it was strong on its own, without the music. 

The verdict 

Even though the musical moments were unnecessary, the film was still a well thought out and original story. Every scene and every character made sense. 

Getting to see how Mufasa became king fulfilled my craving for nostalgia, and the filmmakers did an incredible job showing his tendencies when he was young. Nothing came out cheesy or cringey, but rather in-depth and layered with emotion. 

I’m rating “Mufasa: The Lion King” 4.5 out of 5 stars and it is a MUST-see in theaters, and you can guarantee I’ll be watching this repeatedly in my own home. 

Seeing Mufasa struggle with self-doubt at every turn is what made this a great movie because I could feel his anxiety, which is a sure sign of an excellent movie—when emotions transfer from the screen to the hearts of the audience.

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