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

I know, I should know better than watching sequels to Disney classics, but I can't help it. There's something about them that really appeals me. I guess it's because I love to review bad films and these sequels are usually bad, and The Lion King II: Simba's Pride makes no exception. 

The film is set a few years after the events of The Lion King. King Simba (voiced by Matthew Broderick) and Queen Nala (voiced by Moira Kelly) now have a daughter, Kiara (voiced by Neve Campbell), who is growing up and trying to step out of her father's shadow. While wandering around, she ends up in the forbidden lands and meets Kovu (voiced by Jason Marsden), another cub who is a descendant/handpicked successor of Simba's uncle, Scar. Kiara and Kovu hit off but Simba doesn't approve and Kovu's mother, Zira (voiced by Andy Dick), is plotting to use her son to avenge Scar.

As far as the plot goes, it's pretty much the same of the original film and still has Shakespeare wrote all over it. It's some sort of Hamlet with a touch of Romeo & Juliet, only it isn't nearly as compelling as Shakespeare's tragedies. Also, it's filled with huge plot holes and inconsistencies, and it's got a timeline that doesn't always make sense.

Kids may be able to enjoy it though as they won't either care about any of that or notice it. Also, they will learn an important life lesson, it being to not judge someone by their race or background (which unfortunately is still happening nowadays and I'm afraid will happen forever).

Walt Disney Home Video

The characters are pretty bad too. They are neither interesting nor lovable. They lack characterization and development. Let's take Kiara, Simba's daughter. Absolutely nothing about her changes during the film. She was a spoiled, little brat at the beginning, she is a spoiled, little brat at the end. I have to admit that it's nice to have the film centred around a female character but is it really? I mean, the plot actually revolves around Kobu. Timon and Pumbaa are kinda funny but they aren't enough to save the film. Also, the villain, Zira, is barely decent and doesn't even come close to being as menacing as Scar was. And by the way, why is Zira voiced by a man? Having a lioness with a man's voice can be a little confusing for kids, especially coming from the same studios that didn't want a gay character in the High School Musical series and suddenly gave the guy a female love interest.

The animation too takes a step back from its predecessor. It isn't bad for a straight to video sequel, but it's bad for Disney standards. The songs, on the other hand, aren't terrible. They are quite catchy to be honest. Still, not as good as The Lion King's.