Let’s be real. Do you REALLY think The Lion King 2 was made because the writers were inspired to keep the story going? Well actually, they might've been. It certainly doesn’t feel like a cash-grab, with a couple of good songs, well-written characters, and a well-directed story. It’s still a direct-to-video Disney sequel but it may be the best of them all.
Now the king of Pride Rock, Simba (voiced by Matthew Broderick) struggles to live up to his father’s legacy. Remembering the mistakes of his past, he makes entirely new ones by smothering his daughter, Kiara (Michelle Horn as a cub and Neve Campbell as an adult). He drives her away, right into the arms of Kovu (Andrew Collins as a cub and Jason Marsden as an adult), who has been sent by his mother Zira (Suzanne Pleshette) to dismantle the kingdom who banished her.
When The Lion King 2 began, I was apprehensive. How could I not be after seeing Atlantis 2: Milo’s Return, Lady and the Tramp 2, Mulan 2, The Little Mermaid 2 and so many others? My hopes were lifted a bit by the opening number, a nice follow-up to The Circle of Life. The start is rocky but give it time. Suddenly the goofy Nuka (Andy Dick) isn’t just a one-dimensional comic-relief character. His incompetence is an important plot point. The movie gets a bit… serious.
The drama between the lions feels genuine. In many ways, Simba is a main character and his uncertainties are believable. Same for Kovu, who was born post-Mufasa. You understand why he resents the king who banished his family to the forbidden "outlands". It’s a retcon but him being chosen by Scar as his successor shows a bit of a softer side to the murderous dark-maned lion, who is DEFINITELY not Kovu's father, in case you thought the relationship which inevitably develops might be incestuous. Raised by a lioness who cares only about revenge, you understand the tumultuous feelings developing within his heart when he meets Kiara. They’re from two different worlds and supposed to hate each other, meaning this sequel takes cues from Romeo & Juliet; a nice touch.
I’m shocked Disney didn’t throw more money at this script to give it visuals above that of a TV show. The visuals harken back to the first film in creative ways and the direction by Darrell Rooney and Rob LaDuca is good. A dream sequence in which Simba relives the death of his father while Scar looks above - and then transforms into Kovu is terrific. This could've been a mega-hit on the big screen.
If your kids watching The Lion King on repeat, give them this movie to mix it up a bit. It has good drama and well-written characters adults will also appreciate. You might even find yourself singing Upendi with the same enthusiasm as Hakuna Matata. (On DVD, July 22, 2019)
