SIMBA’S PRIDE: THE LION KING II

Great animation, great songs, a lot of Biblical allegory, even more morality and all the voices you loved from the original, SIMBA’S PRIDE: THE LION KING II is a worthy successor to the original LION KING (1994). Perhaps having even more Christological references than the first, this direct-to-video release examines “a father’s will,” “The Chosen One,” “he lives in you and me,” “he watches over us,” love conquers all, forgiveness, and the perils of unforgiveness. Some of this can be interpreted as ancestor worship, but when understanding the lion as a metaphor for king, our heavenly Father, many of these references to the deceased father of Simba, Mufasa, seem to be no different than the lion as God metaphor found in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA.

This movie begins with Simba (Matthew Broderick) all grown up now with a cub of his own – a girl named Kiana (Neve Campbell). Like father like daughter, Kiana has an independent streak, desirous of learning about the big, bright world on her own. She resents her father sending out Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) to look after her. On one excursion into the forbidden Outlands, Kiana meets Scar protegee Nuka (Andy Dick). Nuka (Andy Dick) has been trained by his mother Zira (Suzanne Pleshette) to fear and hate Simba and all his kind. Kiana learns about this awful truth when her father rescues her.

Zira takes advantage of Nuka’s attraction to Kiana. Zira intends Nuka to become accepted by Simba, allowing Nuka to later strike at Simba for a kill, in vengeance for Scar’s death. When Simba and Nuka walk out onto the scorched plains, recently burned by the brother of Nuka, Zira’s attack lions nearly kill Simba. Enraged, Simba banishes Nuka from his territory, which devastates Kiana. Later, on another Zira orchestrated strike against Simba, Nuka is able to redeem himself and call for peace between the warring prides.

All around, production quality is high in this video. Voice talent is perky, confident and powerful. Once again, the African landscape is captured with brilliant hues of orange sunsets and yellow plains. Likewise, the animals are well painted and animated. (Sometimes a sequel severely skimps on the animation, but not here.) Finally, the story continues with fast-paced, exciting sequences, a little humor, and great, if not completely memorable music. The songs could have come right from a Sunday morning church service including “He Lives in You and Me,” “Love Will Find a Way” and “We are One.”

As Don Hahn, MOVIEGUIDE® friend and the executive producer of THE LION KING, has noted at the MOVIEGUIDE Gala, the parallels between the themes in THE LION KING and the story of Christ were intentional. In the same manner, in SIMBA’S PRIDE: THE LION KING II are clear representational examples of love conquering all, self-sacrifice, love covering over a multitude of sins, forgiveness, and more. Regrettably, however, Simba seeks the council of his deceased father Mufasa (James Earl Jones), as does baboon Rafiki (Robert Gullaume). This should be discussed with children and can be seen as an example of seeking advice from a heavenly father. Indeed, Mufasa is recognized as the embodiment of wisdom, virtue and love.

Parents will like the solid two parent family structure, and the admonishment to obey your parents. Children can see consequences for disobeying parents.

The only other elements to watch out for are some scary scenes of lion fights, a fire and an alligator attack, but everybody escapes relatively intact, and no bloodshed occurs.

Trying to find quality entertainment for your children can sometimes be very difficult. SIMBA’S PRIDE: THE LION KING II is quality entertainment. This is a fine effort that stands head and shoulders above other studio animation theatrically released projects.