The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride is the sequel to the Disney classic animated movie, The Lion King. The Lion King is often regarded as one of the best-animated films ever made, Disney or otherwise. The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride continues the story of Simba (voiced by Matthew Broderick), the king of the Pridelands and the gentle ruler of the animal kingdom within.
At the start of the film, Simba and his mate Nala (voiced by Moira Kelly) celebrate the birth of their daughter, Kiara (voiced by Neve Cambell). As a new generation of lions are welcomed into the pride, old grudges begin to surface as well. The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride has huge shoes to fill, resting in the shadow of the mega-popular original movie. Does The Lion King 2 deliver a satisfying continuation of this much-beloved story, or is this a sequel that barely gets by?
How to Stream or Download The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride
You can stream it or you can download the movie from iTunes or from Google Play. Click on the button below the review.
The Film Review
Generally speaking, The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride tells a somewhat predictable story that is obviously inspired by the classic play, Romeo and Juliet. Both Kiara and Kovu are star-crossed lovers, banned from seeing each other by their families. There’s a dash of betrayal, a secret plot, and plenty of musical numbers.
In many ways, The Lion King 2 hits all the expected notes of a Disney film, but it feels underwhelming for most of the run-time. It’s not that The Lion King 2 is a bad film, but it simply pales in comparison to the first and barely stands alone as its own story. It draws far too many inspirations from the previous movie (and other famous stories), and loses its own personality in the mix.
In terms of visuals and animation, The Lion King 2 is serviceable but not nearly as inventive or well-crafted as the original film. Despite being released several years after the first movie, The Lion King 2’s visuals and animation feel rough around the edges. The animation is somewhat stilted, line-work is occasionally rough, and there’s an obvious absence of that recognizable “Disney magic”. The same sentiment can be said for the musical numbers. All of the songs in The Lion King 2 are decent, but none of them have the same staying power as “The Circle of Life” or “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
The Verdict
Overall, The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride is a function sequel to The Lion King, but not one that I would recommend for multiple viewings. It’s a good film for kids, and the story is far less dramatic or upsetting as the original. There’s still some sad moments, but for the most part, The Lion King 2 is upbeat and positive. When it comes to love stories, there are far better options than The Lion King 2. However, if you consider yourself a big fan of Disney or The Lion King franchise, you’ll probably find The Lion King 2 to be a worthwhile watch.
