The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Buy This Item The Lion King II: Simba's Pride by Walt Disney Home Video  Available from Amazon  $26.99  on 8-28-2008     Another made-for-video sequel to a Disney masterpiece. As with the <I>Beauty and the Beast</I> and <I>Pocahontas</I> sequels, most of the recognizable 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.<P> 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 theaters.<P> For kids, the sequel will be a favorite. 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 <I>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</I> creator Joss Whedon. The standout opening number, "He Lives in You," was created for the <I>Lion King</I> Broadway smash and now finds a whole new audience. <I>--Doug Thomas</I> Reader Reviews I don't know what movie the people who are saying that this is a bad movie were watching!!! I agree that they should have spent more time in Kiara's childhood, but they had to keep the plot moving and they had the crucial meeting when they were cubs. To certain people who ask how Scar has his own pride of lions, and it was "implied" in the first one that he died. They implied nothing of the sort. Really, tell me what you saw. You saw the shadows, the SHADOWS of the hyenas and flames and Scar going down into them. It couldn't really be a Disney movie if there wasn't a happy ending with Scar being MOBBED by the hyenas, I repeat, MOBBED!!!! Also, do you know how hard it is for him to start a pride of lions? As easy as it is for a guy to have three kids at once (and I'm not talking about triplets, either). I love the fact in this movie that Simba hates these people and it's just like the Warriors series by Erin Hunter (everybody read them they're great!), in the fact that Bramblekit/paw/claw is haunted by his father's past (Tigerclaw) who hated the current leader of the Clan, Firestar, and so he has to prove himself over and over and over again because of that! He has to overcome his father, and that is what Kovu (Brambleclaw) has to do to over come Scar (Tigerclaw) and prove himself to Simba (Firestar) so he can marry Simba's duaghter, Kiara (Squirrelflight) This is a heart wrenching story that has great songs--definitely buy it and watch it over and over!

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Available from Amazon Price: $26.99 Updated on 8-28-2008.

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