Lion King II, The: Simba's Pride [VHS]

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

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Lion King 2 is the sequel to Disney's 1994 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 many other animated video releases.

For kids, 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 standout opening number, "He Lives in You", was created for the Lion King Broadway smash and now finds a whole new audience. --Doug Thomas, Amazon.com

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.


It's okay...but Scar's too often talked about...   November 7, 2003
Melanie Baxter (Inverness.)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Like me, I’m sure many people were very excited for the long-awaited sequel to Disney’s Classic, ‘The Lion King.’ The circle of life continues…

Simba is now the new Lion King and is a proud father to Kiara, his daughter. Like Simba once was at her age, Kiara is a very mischievous and adventurous cub who just can’t help getting into all kinds of trouble. One day, while exploring the Pridelands Simba asks Timon & Pumbaa to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn’t get hurt. She manages to escape them both while they’re quarrelling over their lunch and runs off to the Outlands which are strictly off limits to all Pridelanders. Once there, she befriends another young lion cub named Kovu who was chosen to follow in the pawprints of Scar and one day take over as King. The problem is, Kiara and Kovu are not allowed to be friends because their families are at war against each other. As time goes by, Kovu & Kiara begin to slowly fall in love. Will their love be strong enough to end the feud between their warring families? You’ll have to watch the movie to find out…

‘The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride’ is a beautifully drawn, painted and animated movie. I don’t think anyone could have made the sequel to such a wonderful Disney Classic any better than this. You may also be interested to know that grown up Kiara’s voice is done by Neve Campbell from the ‘Scream’ movies and she’s a wonderful voice actress for Simba’s daughter.

However, my only disappointments about this DVD are that there are no special features to offer you. You get language and chapter selections as well as seeing a few other Disney titles available to buy. But apart from this, that’s all there is.

In addition, the story itself somehow lacks the spirit and feeling to the original ‘Lion King’ movie. The soundtrack to ‘Simba’s Pride’ has been completely changed with no resemblance to the first movie whatsoever. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a terrific soundtrack and the new songs are ssoooo cool! It just would have felt a lot more like ‘The Lion King’ if they’d kept the original background music in the sequel. In other words, it would really have felt like the second movie was continuing from where the original left off rather than a completely different story all together.

Also, Zazu’s voice has been changed and is no longer done by Rowan Atkinson. However, the replacement is very close to the original voice so I’m not too disappointed there. Except for Zazu, all the original voice actors from ‘The Lion King’ have returned for the second movie.

Despite the disadvantages to the sequel, it’s still a very good story and you really should try and watch it sometime. Don’t take my word for it, watch it and judge how good you think it is for yourself…


We are One :)   August 31, 2004
K. Russell (UK)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I Just Purchased this movie The Lion King Simba's pride 2 and I thoughly enjoyed the movie,alot of fighting scenes between the lions,you could see also later in the movie that Kovo really loved Kiara and really changed from being manipulated as a baby cub by his Mother Zula to kill Simba.The songs are great especially the African music in it :) favourite songs are We are One,One of Us,Love Will find a way(this song made my eyes well up) you must get this film today as I thoughly recommend it.Enjoy the Movie as this is a must have for your collection.


A WORTHY SEQUEL AND VERY WATCHABLE   November 13, 2007
stuart (MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

his film was pleasant to watch. "Why" do you ask? Because, compared to Disney's other "sequels" that have went to theaters like the "Jungle Book 2" and "Piglet's Big Movie," this movie is a materpiece. I love it! Here are a few reasons: a) the ENTIRE cast (except for the British comedian Rowan Atkinson as Zazu) return to reprise their roles, including new voices of Neve Campbell from the "Scream" series as Kiara and Jason Marden "A Goofy Movie" as Kovu, b) the animation was way above average for a "sequel" and c) the story is actually good! I've seen some garbage with these recent Disney sequels but this one has a very good message.

Here's a brief summary of the film: Simba and Nala have a daughter named Kiara, who, like her father, is very curious and eager to explore. She ventures in the Outlands, a dry area beyond the Pridelands where Simba has exiled Scar's followers. There she meets a cub named Kovu and instantly they befriend each other, despite their different backgrounds. Kovu's mother Zira is watching from the grass the cubs' relationship unfold. Simba and co. come along and he reminds Zira that she and her pride was banished and for the first time meets Kovu. She explains that Kovu was chosen by Scar to follow in his footprints and that the Pridelands belonged to Scar. Anyway, Kiara and Kovu are forced to say good-bye for quite some time. Zira sees the friendship between her son and Kiara as an opportunity to brainwash Kovu in growing hatred for Simba and killing him and taking his place as Scar's heir. A few years pass and Kiara is now a teenager, ready for her first hunt. Meanwhile, Kovu's siblings, Nuka and Vitani, set afire the fields and Kiara gets trapped and faints from the smoke. Kovu saves her in order to be accepted into Simba's pride, while secretly aiming to kill him when he gets the chance. The romance comes in and Kiara and Kovu fall in love with each other after being separated for many years. From there on, he must decide which path he must be on: as a follower of Scar or a follower of his heart....

There are so many good things I like about this, especially Kovu's struggle within himself between honor and love and positive message of unity. Now, some say this movie's animation or other things are no where near the original. Well, duh! Who can beat the original? It's just impossible...name one animated feature that actually surpassed the original. But what makes this film unique is that it actually came pretty close. The downside to this film for me is that Kovu and Kiara grow up way too fast! I liked when they were playing together but had to be separated from each other by their rival parents. Timon and Pumbaa are back for more humorous appearances (though I have to admit they could have been funnier).

Did I mention the songs were actually good? This is something I thought would never be the case with a sequel. "He Lives In You," "We Are One," and "Love Will Find A Way" are my top favorites. The characters were not flat, in my opinion, and the voice acting was excellent! To sum it up, watch this movie despite all the negative reviews, who are people that expected this sequel to surpass the original or something. I love both. I can't say one is worse than the other because I see them as one continuous story. TLK was the best, and TLK 2 carries on the spirit.

This movie could have easily been released in theaters and may have been pretty successful. The only negative aspect of it was that it was too short! Only 1 hour 17 minutes! They could have spent some more time on Kiara and Kovu's childhood years. Thus I give it ****1/2 out of *****.

The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride gets 9/10