…………………………………………………

The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride Movie Review

The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride is a 1998 animated direct-to-video romantic musical film. It’s probably the greatest Disneytoon Studios sequel of them all.

………………………………………………….

“The good news is, we found your daughter.

The bad news is, we dropped a warthog on her“

…………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..

It centers on Simba and Nala’s daughter Kiara, who falls in love with Kovu, a male rogue lion from a banished pride that was once loyal to Simba’s evil uncle. Separated by Simba’s prejudice against the banished pride and a vindictive plot planned by Kovu’s mother Zira, Kiara and Kovu struggle to unite their estranged prides and be together. Yes, this plot is actually terrific. It was an ingenious idea to once again get inspiration from Shakespeare for this franchise. Whereas the original was inspired by Hamlet, this one is modeled after Romeo and Juliet.

This is how you should do a new Lion King story, and not copy it entirely. This is a sequel that is obviously hugely influenced by the original in its basic plot structure and musical number placements (more on that later), but that worked for me as it brought the necessary level of coziness and familiarity to an otherwise wholly new and original story that serves as a powerful, somewhat familiar, but somewhat authentic sequel.

Simba is pretty good here, and I liked the emphasis on his grievance and him not wanting to just follow Mufasa blindly, but lead the kingdom on his own terms. I was somewhat disappointed by Kiara. She’s fine and very likable, but overly passive at the end of the day when they certainly had the chance for a more badass female character for the franchise.

…………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..

But Kovu actually ended up being the protagonist here and it worked as his shifting alliances and not fitting in either of the groups worked even though it was familiar. It was so dramatic and emotionally powerful as the storytelling in the entire movie is excellent. And I loved the romance between the two. Timon and Pumbaa are actually hilarious in a couple of sequences and just as good as they were before. Rafiki and Zazu are less memorable, but Zira is a very strong new villain that led her banished pride well.

The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride is a musical just like the original. It contains six songs and the majority are truly excellent. Yes, I cannot believe this. I was just at a loss for words while watching this movie for how amazing this soundtrack is. Certainly it’s not as great as the masterful original, but it comes way too close for comfort, which is even more spectacular for a cheap direct-to-video flick.

…………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..

He Lives in You is an absolutely perfect choice for an opening! The lyrics are fantastic and telling the story of the actual movie so well, which most of the numbers actually do here as musicals are supposed to do. The number is extremely catchy, powerfully sung, instantly memorable and just emotionally very strong. The opening scene was perfect because of it.

We Are One is also a wonderful movie that tells the story of nature working in unison, thus perfectly going in line with the franchise’s themes of interconnectedness of whole life. It’s a catchy, very sweet little song. My Lullaby is the only weak number here as it never at all manages to accompany the original’s amazing villain song Be Prepared. It’s forgettable and dull.

Upendi is also not great, but it has a fine beat to it and very charming visuals. One of Us is absolutely terrific, a song that has no corresponding number in the original, which makes it more unique as most songs here follow the first movie’s structure too closely. This one again comes at the right time, it tells the story of banishment of Kovu so well and it’s both moving and also quite dark with an infectiously memorable usage of the words deception and disgrace.

…………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..

Love Will Find a Way serves as a very good love song that is well sung and a pretty solid, fun ballad. So yes, the soundtrack and the score are great here. As for the animation, it’s so much weaker than the original, but that was to be expected for a cheaper sequel. Judging it less harshly, it’s actually much better animated than other such sequels, thus belonging to the pantheon of the greatest Disneytoon sequels alongside ‘Pocahontas II’.

The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride is quite possible the greatest direct-to-video Disney sequel. It’s so great, in fact, that it’s easy to forget it’s a cheaper sequel. The Romeo and Juliet-inspired storyline was perfect for this franchise, the characterization is excellent, the emotion is palpable and the soundtrack is just terrific with its fair share of iconic Disney songs.

My Rating – 4.5