The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998, VHS)

In the continuing tale of Simba, Lion King II doesn't even come close to the original movie. Although my 4 year old liked it (she has a thing for lions), I have a different opinion.

First of all, I don't think I can qualify this movie as a "sequel". In the original, there was no mention that Scar (the villain) had his own pride of lions. In the sequel, this pride (led by Zera) is the main focus of the movie. Zera holds a grudge against Simba and his new daughter Kiara and vows to become queen. She entices her son, Kovu, to plot against them and his desire is to kill them. Of course, in the tradition of Disney, that never happens, Kovu and Kiara fall in love and a lesson is learned at the end of the film.

Secondly, I feel this movie is very violent for young children. Many times, the words "kill" and "murder" are mentioned, which I feel are unnecessary. What had started out as a great tale about the Circle of Life, the second movie barely mentions it and is devoted to the revenge of Zera and Scar. Also, the mother of Simba, Sarabi, is not mentioned and it was my assumption that she died sometime.

What is good about this movie is the music involved, although the songs can't compare the original Lion King. Also, I was pleased to note that many of the characters' voices returned, along with a few new ones. I think that Disney could of done a better job with the sequel, or even better, left the original alone.