The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Another direct to video sequel was released October 1998. This time, a direct continuation of The Lion King. Taking inspiration from Romeo and Juliet, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride was called a satisfactory sequel by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. Most of the voice cast came back, but Edward Hibbert replaced Rowan Atkinson as Zazu and brought in new voice actors like Andy Dick, Neve Campbell and Suzanne Pleshette.

Simba (Matthew Broderick) and Nala (Moira Kelly) now have a daughter named Kiara (Campbell). She falls in love with Kovu (Jason Marsden), who was raised in a pride of Scar’s followers and Simba’s enemies. The two are desperate to be together and overcome obstacles keeping them apart.

This is actually one of the few warranted Disney sequels and also one of the few that actually take the story and continue it. And while it could never match or overtake the original, for what this film presents, it’s actually pretty good.

Kiara and Kovu are well played rebellious teenagers that want to live their own lives. She wants Simba off her back, not realizing that he sees the cub he used to be in her and doesn’t want her to make the same mistakes. He’s been bred to kill Simba, but ultimately just wants to be his own person and enjoy his life with the person he loves. And he legitimately changes. But when he and Simba wander into a trap that Zira has laid when she realizes Kovu has changed, Simba refuses to believe he’s changed.

Which also makes this a continuation of Simba’s character arc. He banished the lions that were in league with scar in the first film, even though most of them wanted a second chance. In the end, he’s got to make the choice whether or not to take them back. By refusing, he would not only lose Kiara’s respect, but become like Scar in a completely different way and both sides would suffer heavy loss of life. It’s just as Prince Escalus says in the story this film takes inspiration from:

“See, what a scourge is laid upon your hate,/That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love./And I for winking at your discords too./Have lost a brace of kinsman: all are punish’d

While the music isn’t great, it certainly isn’t bad. Most of them are actually pretty good, with “Not One of Us,” being the only one that’s moderately ok.

This really is one of Disney’s better sequels.

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