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The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride
- Review Date: August 1, 2005
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
Romeo and Juliet in the pridelands.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that cute 'toons Timon, Pumba, Rafiki, and Zazu will attract little kids, but scary scenes and mean looking lions might frighten young viewers.
What's the story?
Simba the Lion King is now a dad. His daughter Kiara is eager to explore beyond the pridelands, but Simba tries to shelter her from danger. One day while exploring, Kiara bumps into Scar's son Kovu (which means 'scar' in Swahili). They like each other, but Kovu's evil mother Zira and Simba quickly intervene and separate the two. Zira fills Kovu's head and heart with hatred and raises him for the sole purpose of someday killing Simba. Years later, on the day of her first solo hunt, Kiara runs into Kovu again. He rescues her from a fire and then asks to join Simba's pride. It's all according to Zira's evil plan, but Kovu falls in love with Kiara and begins to see that the two prides should be united, not divided.
Is it any good?
LION KING II is good by Disney sequel standards and unique in that the story actually follows directly from the first movie. We see a progression of themes and plot elements planted earlier, as if this story were always meant to be told. Indeed, the story of star-crossed lovers from feuding families has been told countless times before, nevertheless fans of The Lion King will enjoy seeing the characters' story continue. Cute characters Timon and Pumbaa don't have a role beyond following Kiara around, but they add some laughs to the heavy love and vengeance plot. The songs are listenable in the moment while not the makings of a child's favorite soundtrack.
Disney did a pretty good job with the DVD extras on this sequel. Timon and Pumbaa host most of the features, making them fun for kids. Particularly cool is a virtual elephant ride in which kids can pick where they go and feel like they're riding an elephant. Several simple, fun games can be played by little ones who can use a mouse. Older viewers may enjoy interviews with the voice cast members Mathew Broderick, Neve Campbell, Suzanne Pleshette, and others.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how Simba and Kiara's goals are different at first, but they come to better understand each other over the course of the movie. What are good ways for parents and kids to work through misunderstandings?
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AGE
Could be better
I like it a little, really i do. But they need to work harder on their sequels! I don't like Kiara's attitude at everything, always mouthing off and refusing to understand. Simba is differen't, he seems more stricked and it loses his point of his character. The 'villan' characters are interesting though. Like Zera ( not the BEST motherly figure - haha ) But I especially love the three siblings Kovu, Nuka, and Vitani. They made the movie funny like how Vitani and Nuka argue. But if they made it less sappy it would be easy to get through. Why do they always make the second movies sappy? Well, almost always. Oh, there WAS this discusting saying "Lets run away together and start a pride 'all' our own" - think about it. Although it could just be my perverted teenage mind that could be blocking good judgement.
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AGE
We ARE one
I couldn't say it was the best, I think they could have made it better, I don't really like the songs except for "He lives in you" I like the characters, but I think Kiara was a little too rude, other wise they weren't too bad! Simba didn't seem himself though, I didn't see the old Simba... :( Kovu and Vitani are my two favorite characters in this film. The animation could have used a little more color and not so much dimness. I didn't like the "plans for murder" dealeo too much, but it was interesting, I wouldn't say it would be bad for kids or anything like that, the only "scary" part about it is when the Lions fight, but think about it, its what lions do to gain territory sometimes. Besides, human beings have done FAR worse than lions have, that's the truth. At least lions figure out they're one, humans still quarrel about black and white, nazi and jew, fat or skinny. . I'm just pointing that out. . . I want to go outside without being worried I'll be kidnapped. I want to be free again, like lions are.
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AGE
Even better than the first!!!!! I loved it!!!!!
such a cute movie. I loved it even more than the first, but it is quit scary for children under around eight. There are great morals to it. If you think the bad lions are bad role models that is only in the first half. In the end, good conquers evil just as it's supposed to and the "bad" lions realize the error in their ways.
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AGE
Surprised at how good it actually was
The lion king is my all time favorite movie so I was a little weary when this movie was announced (after seeing lots of horrible sequels to disney classics). When I found out that it was going to be direct-to-video, I was completely put off, but for some reason I bought the movie the day it came out...
...and I loved it...
....fans of the original lion king will be satisfied by this worthy sequel as it continues the saga of Simba through her daughter Kiara. Her love for Kovu was extremely touching, definitely one of my favorite movie couple ever.
But to be frank, there are some points in the movie that needs work. The music by itself is great but when compared to the first lion king, is an absolute letdown. For me only 3 songs are really good and memorable: "He lives in you", "We are one", and "Love will find a way". "Upendi" is great, "My lullaby" isn't bad, but not good either, while "One of us" was definitely the worst of the lot, I would always skip that scene whenever I watch it.
But even though the music seems to have been rushed, the movie is still memorable and is definitely a worthy sequel to the lion king. Anyone who has watched the first shouldn't miss this great sequel.
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AGE
A Very Dark Film...
I was very disappointed in this sequal to "Lion King". This movie was dark, and very violent. I cant even count the number of times that these lions were told to "kill". The whole movie was dark and depressing. Don't waste your time on this one for the kids.
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AGE
I practically grew up with lion king movies.They're beautiful and they give good messages (in my opinion). It might be a little scary for kids under 9, though.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 20, 2011
AGE
Nice!!
I have no BIG pointers, but it's really twisted version of Romeo and Juliet. I thought this was a smidge better than the first, but I liked the first's soundtrack MUCH MUCH more! Kiara is a great role model for believing and knowing the Kovu is good. And Simba is a bit too insane in this one... (not really)
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AGE
really cool...huh?!?
awesome movie for ages 6+!!!a must watch movie for every kid!!!parents cant compare the violence in this movie to the relentless violence in "Star wars bounty hunter".the videogame.must watch movie!!!
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AGE
Worth watching
Great movie but not as good as the first one. But watch it, its better then most sequels these days. Its cute and fun to watch. This one is still kind of scary but not as much as the first one. Overall very good.
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| Topics: | friendship, music and sing-along, wild animals |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Directors: | Darrell Rooney, Rob LaDuca |
| Cast: | Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, Neve Campbell |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 81 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 31, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | August 31, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
| MPAA explanation: | all audiences |
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