Lion King II, The: Simba's Pride - ()

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride is another made-for-video sequel to a Disney masterpiece. As with the Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas sequels, most of the recognisable vocal talents return, creating a worthwhile successor to the highest-grossing animated film ever. We pick up the story as the lion king, Simba (voiced by Matthew Broderick) and Nala (Moira Kelly) have a new baby cub, a girl named Kiara (Neve Campbell). Like her father before, she seeks adventure and ends up outside the Pridelands, where lions loyal to the evil Scar (who died in the original) have lived with revenge in their hearts. The leader, Zira (a spunky turn from Suzanne Pleshette), schemes to use her son Kovu (Jason Marsden) to destroy Simba. As luck with have it, Kiara has bumped into Kovu and fallen in love.

This all sounds familiar since all of Disney's straight-to-video sequels have played it very safe, nearly repeating the originals' story, tone, and pace. Perhaps there were too many cooks for this production. Besides the two screenplay credits, there are eight other writers credited for additional written material. The look of the film has none of the surprise of the original but is far superior to other animated videos. In fact, the film played in European cinemas.

For children, the sequel will be a favourite. The comic antics of Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumba (Ernie Sabella) are enjoyable, as is Andy Dick as Nuka, the mixed-up older son of Zira. And there's plenty of action. The best element is the music. Relying on more African-influenced music, the five songs featured are far superior to those in Disney's other sequels. Zira's song of revenge, "My Lullaby," was cowritten by Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon. The oustanding opening number, "He Lives in You", was created for the Lion King Broadway smash and now finds a whole new audience. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews of Lion King II, The: Simba's Pride

Delta-Online
England
5th March 2007

Better than expected!
I've always been reluctant of sequels especially the Disney ones. They've never sounded as good.

However we recieved this second hand and my sister decided to watch it..Out of interest once reading the case I decided to sit and watch through it and I was surprised to find it was not as bad as I thought it might.

I do love follow up stories, if they are done properly and this was done very well. An enjoyable follow up to the original and sounds better than the third and some of Disney's latest work. I love story by all accounts, which means it treads the same lines but the history and the consequences of that history is what makes it worthwhile, as is Timon and Pumba who are still as funny if not moreso.

The artwork from what I see is just as good as the original, which is nice considering that animation tends to not look as good nowadays and I enjoyed the music, although they are not as memorable as the originals they are not far off and for me some of these will be remembered.

The only downside to say is Rowan Atkinson didn't return as Zazu. I prefer his over this one but you can't have it all.

Dynasty Warriors Fan
Barnstaple, Devon
8th June 2006

The Long Awaited Sequel Has Arrived
Finally a sequel that is worthy of owning!

It follows on brilliantly from the 1st film in that Simba is now the King Of The Pridelands & it's his daugther Kiara - who is so much like Simba when he was younger! who is learning about her place in the Circle Of Life

Wonderful songs are featured including my persoanl favourite "We Are One" which is ung by Simba & Kiara after Simba rescues her fro the Outlanders, also featured is "One Of Us" - used as Kovu is banished from the Pridelands, "Love Will Find A Way" - te love song of the film, "My Lullabay" - used to get Kovu to go to sleep by his Mum

Definitely worth owning whether a fan of the series or not!

Alison Morgan
UK
6th January 2005

Beware!
One of Amazon's listmakers refers to this as 'The Lion Ker-ching', which I thought quite a good description. A blatant cash cow, the artwork is shoddier, the songs worse (except for the lullaby sung by Kovu's mommy, which is a passable re-working of Scar's villain song)and the best advice I can give is don't expect anything and you won't be disappointed. Having said that, my 3 year old likes it, so not a complete waste of money....

silent_siren

4th October 2004

'sequel' is such a strong word..
Okay first things first; if you're looking for a repeat of The Lion King, you won't find it here. The Lion King 2 is a sequel in the best sense of the word. It takes the story and characters of the first film and builds on them without being too afraid to step in another direction.

The constant references to Scar and the, um, 'scars', he has left may indeed turn some people off. Personally I loved it. Kiera and Kovu are worthy successors to Simba and Nala. Here we have characters who cannot escape the past, but unlike the first film where Simba is trying to escape HIS past, they are trapped in the shadow of events before their time. They weren't a part of Scar's betrayal or downfall yet they still live with the consequences. Their struggle to be seen as individuals away from their heritage is a metaphor that easily applies to the film as a whole and I for one think it is wholly successful.

The film is altogether darker than the first, (Scar's vengeful mate is a pretty twisted figure), but it works perfectly in it's context as a sequel. You watch The Lion King when you're young and fall in love with the beautiful artwork and songs, then you watch The Lion King 2 when you are a bit older and appreciate for the first time just how complex the first film was to leave such a legacy, and hopefully see it in a new light.

Some people won't want to view an old favourite in a new light, and I must admit I didn't watch this film out of choice, but the new characters soon had me involved in a whole new way, the new songs, (especially the emotional, 'He's Not One of Us'), are never far from my tongue, and in moments of doubt Timon and Pumba are there to ease you along.

There are many Disney sequels and most are straight-to-video for a reason, but if you dismiss The Lion King 2 on those principles, you'll miss out on a real gem.

14th May 2004

Hakunama Watta??
Although its a great film and i watch it all the time (on VHS) it hasnt been released on dvd yet. the official uk release date it the 28th of june 2004,along with the lion king trilogy!