Haven’t heard of this film, don’t worry most of the direct to video or DVD Disney sequels do not really get talked about a lot and half the time they are not too well received. However that is not the case for one of the sequels to one of the greatest Disney movies of all time. Released in 1998, Lion King 2 much like its predecessor somewhat takes a Shakespeare play and adds lions to it. Much like The Lion King is based off of Hamlet, this one is based on Romeo and Juliet and it does a pretty good job following the first movie. Because it is unavoidable, spoiler alert. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.
King Simba (Matthew Broderick with Cam Clark providing the singing voice) and Queen Nala (Moira Kelly) have a young daughter, Kiara (Neve Campbell as an adult, Michelle Horn as a child with Liz Callaway and Charity Sanoy providing the singing voices) who is much like her father; constantly getting into trouble by slipping away from Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumba (Ernie Sabella) who try to keep an eye on her for her overprotective father. One day Kiara crosses into the Outlands and meets Kovu (Jason Marsden as an adult, Ryan O’Donohue as a child and Gene Miller providing the singing voice). After surviving an encounter with crocodiles the two become friends; however they have been forbidden to see each other again by Simba after it is reveals Kovu’s mother is Zira (Suzanne Pleshette). Zira was Scar’s most loyal follower when he was king and when Simba took over he cast out those who were loyal to his evil uncle despite Zira saying Kovu was handpicked to be the next king by Scar. Seeing an opportunity, Zira trains Kovu as he gets older to get close to Kiara and kill Simba to take over the pride lands, along with her other children Vitani (Jennifer Lien as an adult, Lacey Chabert as a child and Crysta Macalush providing the singing) and Nuka (Andy Dick). Kiara and Kovu grow up each with love or hate in their heart and thanks to some planning by Zira they meet again when Kovu saves Kiara. Simba begrudgingly thanks Kovu and brings him in to the pride, not without a few comments from Zazu (Edward Hibbert). However what was not planned was for Kovu and Kiara to fall in love, or as Rafiki (Robert Guillaume) calls it “Upendi” which is an erroneous form of upendo (Swahili for love). However when Zira moves forward with her plan both Kovu and Kiara must find a way to stop their families from fighting and tearing themselves apart.
I really love this movie and thought it was a really good follow up to The Lion King, just to be clear it does not even come close to surpassing how awesome the first film is. The story is fantastic, writing is great, musical numbers are really good and the characters are just perfect. You can see how the characters have grown since the first film and the new characters really add something to the franchise. Kovu and Kiara’s love story is adorable to watch and how they make many of the lions see what they are doing is wrong is one of my favorite moments of the film. I cannot forget the villain of the film, Zira. While she is not as huge as Scar I actually think she can give him a run for his money, PLEASE CONTINUE READING BEFORE YOU CHEW ME OUT! While Scar’s plan is to take over the pride lands just by killing Mufasa and Simba, Zira’s plan is to avenge Scar by killing Simba and if she takes over the Pride lands so be it.
Now while the songs in this movie are not as famous as the ones from The Lion King they are pretty good. While they were not written by Elton John and Tim Rice, the songs are a decent follow up to the original. There are six songs for the movie and each stick out in its own way or another. The opening song is “He Lives In You” which brings the animals together for the presentation of Kiara; this is also the only song from this movie to appear in the Broadway version of the The Lion King. “We Are One” sung by Simba and Kiara has Simba telling Kiara just how important she is to pride, but all Kiara feels is pressure to be perfect. “My Lullaby” is Zira’s song which has her planning to use Kovu to get closer to Simba through Kiara. “Upendi” is Rafiki’s number where he has Kiara and Kovu realize their deep feelings for each other. “Not One Of Us” is the animals expressing their disdain for Kovu when he begs to come back to the Pride Lands but Simba exiles him. Finally, and my favorite song in the movie, “Love Will Find A Way” as Kiara and Kovu search for each other and reunite confessing their love for one another. All in all The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride is a good movie and a great follow-up to The Lion King.
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