Simba and Nala have a daughter, Kiara. Timon and Pumbaa are assigned to be her babysitters, but she easily escapes their care and ventures into the forbidden lands. There she meets a lion cub named Kovu and they become friends. What she and her parents do not know is that Kovu is the son of Zira - a banished follower of the now-dead Scar. She plans to raise Kovu to overthrow Simba and become the king of the Pride Lands. This tests not only Kiara and Kovu's relationship as they mature, but Simba's relationship with his daughter. Written by
Plot Synopsis:
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The film opens where the previous film ended, set a few years later, where Rafiki (Robert Guillaume) gathers the animals of the Pride Lands together for the presentation of Simba (Matthew Broderick) and Nalas (Moira Kelly) new daughter Kiara. Mufasa's spirit (James Earl Jones) watches over the ceremony. Later, Simba becomes very overprotective of an older Kiara (Michelle Horn), assigning Timon and Pumbaa (Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella) to watch her. One day as Kiara was playing, she fell into a small pond as Timon and Pumbba got her back onto land. Kiara tells them only half of her is a princess. Pumbba asks, "Well, who's the other half?" While they wait for her to answer, they start having a snack. Then they started arguing about slimy and crunchy grubs. While they were arguing, Kiara sneaks into the "Outlands" where she meets a young cub named Kovu (Ryan O'Donohue). After escaping a river filled with nile crocodiles, the two become friendly, unaware they are being watched by Kovu's mother, Zira (Suzanne Pleshette).Simba arrives and confronts Zira, who reminds Simba that he exiled the Outsiders, and that if he wants to punish them, Kovu is Scar's hand-chosen successor. Unwilling to harm the cub, Simba orders them to leave. Later Simba scolds Kiara for endangering herself. In the Outlands, Zira's eldest son, Nuka (Andy Dick), complains to his younger sister Vitani (Lacey Chabert) about Kovu's status as "the Chosen One" the cub chosen by Scar to lead the pride after his death. ("I should've been the "Chosen One". I'm the strongest, I'm the smartest, I'm the oldest, etc.") At that moment, Zira returns and scolds both of her sons, but Kovu accidentally gives her the idea to use Kovu's new friendship with Kiara as a means of exacting her revenge on Simba for Scar's death.Now an adult, Kiara (Neve Campbell) heads out from home for her first solo hunt, however Simba again sends Timon and Pumbaa to follow and watch her progress after he promised to let Kiara hunt on her own. Furious to find out her father still insists on maintaining surveillance, Kiara goes further from home to hunt, though is still unsuccessful in her efforts. Meanwhile, Zira's plan to implant Kovu in Simba's pride has been set in motion; Nuka and Vitani (Jennifer Lien) set fire to the plains where Kiara is hunting, causing her to faint and giving Kovu (Jason Marsden) the chance to rescue her. Drawn by the smoke, Simba finds them together and reluctantly accepts Kovu's request to come to Pride Rock in return for saving Kiara's life, though he forces Kovu to sleep outside. That same night, Simba has a nightmare about his father's death, where Scar suddenly morphs into Kovu and Simba takes his father's place falling off the cliff.The next morning, he goes outside to a watering hole where Kovu contemplates attacking him, but Kiara interrupts and they go off together so Kovu can help her learn how to hunt. Kiara kept on failing. During the lesson, Kovu was setting an example for Kiara, thinking Timon was just an ordinary meerkat. They run into Timon and Pumbaa struggling with some birds, so the two lions help them chase the birds off. Together, they have fun playing, something Kovu notes he has never experienced before. That night, Kovu tells Kiara that he is not Scar's real son, but "was a part of him". Simba watches from above, seeking guidance from the "Great Kings" and Nala advises him to give Kovu a chance, because he is not his father. Kovu decides to leave after he almost confesses his real intentions to Kiara, but Rafiki stops him and invites the young lions to experience "Upendi" love. After a musical journey through the jungle, the two fall in love.In the morning, Simba invites Kovu for a walk and tells him the true story of Scar, which Kovu had never heard. However, their walk is interrupted by an ambush from Zira, her daughter and son and her pride. After a brief fight, Simba manages to escape by scaling a wall of logs in a dried-up gorge. Nuka chases after him in the hopes of impressing his mother, but he slips and is killed by falling logs. Zira blames Kovu for Nuka's death, swiping a paw across his face and scarring his eye. Kovu flees and returns to Pride Rock where he begs forgiveness. Convinced that Kovu was aware of the ambush, the wounded Simba exiles him and orders Kiara confined to their den. Kiara later escapes and, after a long search, reunites with Kovu.Meanwhile, as a thunderstorm struck the Pride Lands, Zira leads her pride in a war against the Pride Lands, and a fierce fight breaks out. As Zira and Simba face off, Kovu and Kiara leap between them and demand that the fighting cease. Kiara reminds her father that, by his own words, "we are one". ("A wise King once told me, we are one. I didn't understand him before. Now I do." "But they-" "Them? Us! Just look at them. They are us. What differences do you see?") The Outsiders realize Kiara is correct, but Zira ignores her. Vitani agrees with Kiara. Unmoved by her insight, Zira wickedly tells her daughter that she will die too if she will not fight, which turns the other Outlanders against her. Now alone, Zira attempts to attack Simba, but Kiara pushes her away, and they both fall over a cliff. Kiara lands on a rock, but Zira slides towards a storm-swollen river. She refuses Kiara's offer of help, then slips and falls to her death. Simba allows the Outlanders, including Kovu, to return to the Pride Lands, and Kovu is allowed to stand with Kiara at the top of Pride Rock with Mufasa proudly proclaiming "We are one".
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apeclaw2011 from United States
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I don't understand why this movie is regarded to as trash. Of course it is not as good as the first movie but it comes pretty stinkin close! The animation is actually equal too the quality of the original movie. I think that it is the most perfect Disney sequel ever! It is a very interesting story that shows Simba as a father. It is cool because you get to see Simba has now become basically, like his father. Every time I see this movie, I can feel that Simba has the same sense of power that Mufasa had. It has a fun and sweet story line and a great ending. When this movie was being made, the goal was to create a sequel to a movie that everyone loves so that they could spend more time with the characters. I think (despite what everyone say's) they created an awesome, spectacular Disney film!
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travisimo from Pocatello, Idaho, USA
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Being a big fan of the first Lion King, it would take a heck of a sequel to match my appreciation for the first flick. The Lion King II: Simba's Pride doesn't even come close in my eyes, but I don't think Disney was really shooting for that. The story is likeable enough with Simba's daughter, Kiara, growing up and trying to step out of Simba's shadow. She meets an outsider, Kovu who is some sort of descendant or handpicked successor of Simba's nemesis, Scar. Kiara and Kovu hit it off as young cubs but are told by Simba they can't see each other when Simba learns of Kovu's background. In a way it's kind of refreshing to see a flaw in our hero, Simba, as he holds a grudge against Kovu for something Kovu had absolutely no control over. Then again, I wondered where exactly these outside lions came from, as I don't recall seeing a glimpse of them at all in the first LK.
Anyway, Kovu and Kiara grow up and fall in love and that stuff, but Kovu has been taught to hate Simba and the other Prideland lions. I'll stop there, but you get the sense of what the story is like. It's not groundbreaking material, but it's nice enough to keep you and/or the little ones interested. There are some flaws in LK2 that I just couldn't get over. The animation is obviously nowhere near that of the original as it was made from a much smaller budget. That's okay and all, as the story usually trumps visuals, but some effects like the fire scene were pretty bad. The fire just stood out like a sore thumb. I've seen better effects on David Letterman skits!
My next problem with the movie is the voice work. Most of it is done well by the original cast (Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella), but Rowan Atkinson is missed as the neurotic bird, Zazu. I also didn't like the actor who voiced Kovu, Jason Marsden. I don't dislike Jason Marsden personally, but he has done characters in the past that have just annoyed the crap out of me. I actually remember him as Eddie Munster in The Munsters Today. In the new version, Eddie becomes some sort of punk who rebels against his family. That's not the Eddie Munster I knew as a child. Furthermore, he also voiced Goofy's grownup son, Max, in The Goofy Movie. I liked Max when he was a kid in the TV series, Goof Troop, but as an adolescent, Max was just a whiny, selfish brat. So whenever I hear Jason Marsden's voice, I just get annoyed. It's my own issues, I know.
Now for my last complaint, which is usually the same for any Disney sequel, the music is just not up to par with the original. Elton John and Tim Rice were desperately missed in this movie. Although I will say there was one song that was fairly good, Love Will Find a Way. It's a nice ballad that really can fit in with any Disney feature. It also sounded familiar to me, like maybe I've heard it on the radio. That is just something uncommon with Disney sequels.
I know I've complained a lot, which is sort of hard for me to do, because I love The Lion King and Disney, but LK2 just isn't my type of flick. I'm very glad to see other reviewers enjoy it though. To each their own, I say!
My IMDb Rating: 5/10. My Yahoo! Grade: C+ (Flawed but Worthy)
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Anya McNaughton (ayemtg@hotmail.com) from Australia
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When I first saw the original 'The Lion King' in cinemas at the age of four, I'd been hooked. Ever since then, my favorite movie has always been this Disney classic. The sequel came out when I was seven, and for a cheaply made direct-to-video movie, was quite enjoyable to watch. Basically, the story follows on from the original film. To beat the original Lion King would be a near-impossible feat, so when put in perspective, the movie really isn't all that bad. The story is neatly tied in with the original film, with the concept of Scar, the antagonist of the first film, having a family bent on revenge over Simba, the protagonist of the 1st Lion King. The film can be very moving at times, and some songs I even preferred over the original's. However, this movie could have been so much more! Had Disney spent more time on it and released it to cinemas instead of having a direct to video release, this could have easily been just as good as the original. What brought this movie's rating down was the fact the storyline had a lot of unanswered questions - where was this pride int he rpevious movie? Many other gaps fill this film, and are far too vague for the viewer to assume what might have happened.
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Richard Harris (Norway1) from Oslo, Norway
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Simba's Pride may be the first of Disney's sequels with a soundtrack worth purchasing. The music was very good and the art was also most impressive. The only voice I wasn't completely satisfied with was Edward Hibbert as Zazu. Even I could have made a better clone for Rowan Atkinson. The script was somewhat rough, and some of the scenes had some unnecessarily dark undertones, but I still believe this to be the best made sequel yet - thanks largely to some very good songs. Keep it up, Disney!
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Mightyzebra from Scotland
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The five main reasons I like this film: 1. The song "We Are One" is a spectacular and I prefer it to all of the songs in the first film! 2. Kiara is a really good character and so is Kovu! I also like Nala in this one, although I prefer her in the last Lion King film. 3. I prefer this one's plot to the one in the first film! I think it's slightly more planned out than the last one's plot. 4. The animation is really good! There's one bit where Kiara and Kovu jump into the air and they animate it so well it looks - spooky! 5. It's a really good sequel for all the fans of the first film! Enjoy! :)
Kiara is the future queen, unfortunately for Simba, she is in love with an outsider, whom she is forbidden to marry. Kovu is also supposed to "follow in Scar's pawprints"...
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MrLister from london, england
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I wanted to see this for ages but was put off by the fact that it went straight to video. Then I noticed that all Disney sequels (bar Rescuers Down Under) went straight to video, so I bought it. From the opening song this film captures the spirit of the original. The first time I saw it I thought only two of the songs were good (Upendi and One of Us) but after seeing it a few times I realised that the songs are extremely well written and catchy. I feel there are a few points not accounted for in the film notably the origin of the Outland lions (I can only conclude that only a few followed Scar and others joined them in the time period between Kiara as a cub and as an adult) but I prefer these things left to the imagination. Overall I am very impressed by this film. It has very high quality animation for a straight to video sequel and introduces some interesting new characters. I would really like the Lion King to be a trilogy (I am a great fan of trilogies) so come on, Disney, Make a third film, preferably detailing the young Scar and Mufasa. A definite 5-stars.
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Little Kiara from Russia
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Wonderful, dramatic tale, an interpretation of William Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" in animal kingdom. The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride - best direct-to-video sequel ever: wise, romantic storyline, beautiful characters - some of them looks like much better than characters from 1st movie. Kovu, Vitani and of course Kiara - I love them all sooo much! Great songs and music - heartwarming "Love Will Find a Way" always make me cry. Too pity it wasn't released in cinemas - I hope Disney will release it in Blu-Ray format alongside with 1st movie. Thank you, Darrel Rooney! The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride - one of the last great traditional cartoons from Walt Disney Pictures! 10/10
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classicx_attraction from United States
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The lion king 2 is probably my favorite Disney sequel. Its one of the movies where the first time around its okay, and then if you see it again, you're like..wow, this is great! Same goes for the songs. I actually love this movie. Compared to the first movie, it isn't all that bad. They didn't ruin anything from the first movie, like the characters personalities, as they do in so many other sequels (like little mermaid 2. puke.) I'd say more of the problem is they kind of down play a lot of characters that had bigger roles. Zazu and Nala are barely in this. Timoon and Puumba are still cute and funny. Kiara, their daughter, is a little flat, But the evil villains are very, very good. Zira is excellent, and Kovu is very complex and interesting. The ending is a little flat as well, but its still a touching movie. Its on par with Aladdin and the king of thieves, which is the only other excellent Disney sequel. (for the record, toy story 2 is Disney and pixar-but is not Disney made. pixar makes it, Disney distributes. thanks.) This sequel actually has depth and every (major) character in this movie has their own personal struggle. Its not simple and happy go lucky like most Disney sequels. I would highly recommend it.
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nmf-2 from Brazil
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A very powerful sequel to a very powerful and the best Disney movie. Kovu and Kiara teach us how powerful and strong the love is. Like TLK 1, TLK 2 bring us good songs, especially Love Will Find A Way and He Lives In You. The new characters are very good, the villain Zira is cruel, the poor Nuka dies trying to prove his braveness and Vitani...well she's not a real villain like all the other outlanders. Unfortunately, they didn't give a good number of lines to Zazu and Nala, especially Zazu - he have less lines than Nala. But every good movie sometimes commit little mistakes. Well, The Lion King 3 is confirmed (2002) and I can't wait to watch this new movie, and I hope TLK 3 being so good like TLK 1 and TLK 2.
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darkwoman from hell:P
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I surprised how I liked this one. My friends told me it's terrible, but I don't think so! Compare this one to Pocahontas: Journey to a new world, The return of Jaffar, or any other animated movie sequel, it's a way better!!! The Lion King I. is quite possibly the best animated movie ever made, so of course it can't be compared to the original. But in its own, it's still pretty good. I think Kovu is a cool character, he was my favorite. I've read on the messageboards that Simba was annoying in the sequel... but think about what things happened to him in the first film, and his overprotecting will be understandable. Unfortunately, the songs are pretty forgettable, except for 'He lives in you'. This film is good at all, give it a chance and watch it!
Kiara was going to originally have a big brother named Chaka (who was going to be the baby at the end of the first film). He was deleted because of story complications.
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Just as the first movie is said to be based upon "Hamlet", the sequel has elements of another famous Shakespeare play-"Romeo and Juliet".
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The lions' roars are actually not lion roars at all. Tiger roars were used for the effect, because real lions' roars aren't as powerful.
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While fighting about who was supposed to watch Kiara, Pumbaa calls Timon a 'fat fat fatty', which is exactly what Matthew Broderick (Simba) called Nathan Lane (Timon) in their fight in the Broadway play 'The Producers'.
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Most of the original cast reprised their roles from the original, with the notable exceptions of Rowan Atkinson who was replaced by Edward Hibbert as the voice of Zazu the Hornbill in this film and its follow-up/predecessor The Lion King 1? (2004) and Jeremy Irons, who was replaced by Jim Cummings as the voice of Scar in this film, who also voiced him in The Lion King (1994) for the last few lyrics of the song "Be Prepared".
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In an earlier version, Simba was actually going to be killed by the Outlanders.
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The son of Zira is called Kovu - Swahili for 'Scar'. 'Zira' means hate; the name of Nuka, Zira's hapless elder son, means 'bad smell'. [Kovu has no relation to Scar]
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Simba's daughter was originally named Aisha, but was changed when Disney realized this was already the name of the Yellow Ranger of the popular Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993).
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The opening song "He lives In You" was also used in the Broadway version of the first Lion King.
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In a scrapped scene, young Kovu was shown playing with a bug, and was scolded by his mother Zira for letting it go rather than killing it when he was finished playing with it.
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Suzanne Pleshette and Jason Marsden portray mother and son, Zira and Kovu. Three years following this film, the two actors went on to voice characters with a similar relationship in the Oscar-winning Hayao Miyazaki's animated feature, "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (2001)".
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The film makers revealed that, in a symbolic manner, Pride Rock is almost always shown on the shadow side, as opposed to the original film.
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"Vitani" was originally "Shetani." It is possible to hear characters refer to her by that name. It means "Devil" in Kiswahili, however, and Disney may have thought it was inappropriate, thereby changing it to something a little less offensive. "Vitani" has no meaning in the Kiswahili language, from which most of the characters' names are drawn.
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Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker were considered for the role of Kiara.
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During this movie, Neve Campbell (Adult Kiara) and Lacey Chabert (Young Vitani) were working together on Party of Five (1994).
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Jane Leeves was originally going to voice Binti, Zazu's mate, before Binti was deleted from the movie.
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Bette Midler and Helen Mirren were considered for the role of Zira.
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Cam Clarke, who voiced Simba in the TV Spinoff and the Kingdom Hearts series provided Simba's singing voice for this film.
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Originally, when Nuka died, his last words were not "I'm sorry mother, I tried", but "I'm sorry mother, I tried. I guess I finally got your attention, didn't I?" This extended scene was not included in the final release.
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When the Outlander lionesses are with Zira, their claws are out at all times. When they cross to Simba's side, their claws are sheathed.
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Perhaps in a symbolic manner, after the outland lionesses join Simba's pride, their sinister appearance is replaced by a softer, friendlier one, more similar to the original prideland lionesses.
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Originally, when Zira dies in the end, she said "No, never" when Kiara offered her help, and let go of the rocks on purpose, thus killing herself. This extended scene was not included in the final release.
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The number of lionesses in both prides change repeatedly.
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When Kovu's training is being reviewed, the notch in Zira's ear switches from ear to ear.
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(at around 20 mins) When Kovu falls over onto his back to Zira lecturing him on the Pride Landers, Kovu backs up along the bare ground and then starts to sit up, and cowers down again. The background artists forgot to put in the rock that he would be backed up against - his ears flatten against the invisi-rock.
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When Vitani and Nuka go to get fire at the geysers, Vitani has a dark lining in her ear that disappears and reappears between shots.
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When Rafiki draws a blue line over the drawing of young Kiara ,the shape and position of it changes in the next shot.
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One of the bugs on Timon's platter changes color.
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When Kovu and Kiara are looking into the pond and their faces are connected half and half, Kovu's scar is on the wrong side in the reflection in the pond.
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Just before 'Upendi', as Rafiki sticks his hand out of the grass, the fur on Kovu's elbow disappears, then reappears.
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When Kiara and Kovu are reunited amongst the snow, they can be seen singing the playing song for about 5 seconds, but in the previous and following shots, they are not singing.
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Okapis appear several times in the film. Whilst these animals are native to Africa, they live in dense rainforest, not on the plains where lions are found (and where they appear in the film). They would never naturally encounter lions.
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The topi (large brown antelope) that Kiara pursues make wildebeest noises.
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The species of birds that Timon and Pumbaa try to scare off is the dodo, which has already been extinct since the mid-1600's.
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When Zira drowns and dies, the scar above Kovu's eye disappears, then reappears later.
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At the end of the film all the lions are sitting in a circle. When Simba, Nala, Kovu and Kiara leave the circle and walk along the middle, the lions are now sitting in a straight line.
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At the end of the movie, when Simba, Nala, Kiara, and Kovu are walking to the tip of Pride Rock the lioness' in the circle number in 13. In the next shot there are 15. And when lined up as the Royalty walk by there are 12.
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It might take some time to notice but if you fast forward the movie to after Zira drowns at 1:12:52. One of Kiara's claws is not colored in.
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lion|king|feud|friends who live together|hornbill|claw fight|reference to william shakespeare|fight|vindictiveness|crushed to death|face slap|scarred face|rebellious daughter|nightmare|loss of son|log|anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic animal|family feud|dysfunctional family|animal|hatred|reference to shakespeare's romeo and juliet|antelope|star crossed lovers|loyalty|culture clash|young love|betrayal|destiny|coming of age|redemption|sequel|mother son relationship|forbidden love|revenge|fire|princess|reconciliation|indoctrination|father daughter relationship|africa|character name in title|
AKAs Titles:
Australia - The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride
Bulgaria (Bulgarian title) - Ца€ ›Šв 2
Brazil - O Rei Leo 2: O Reino de Simba
Canada (French title) - Le roi lion 2: La fiert de Simba
Germany - Der Knig der Lwen 2: Simbas Knigreich
Denmark - Lvernes konge 2: Simbas stolthed
Spain - El rey len 2: El tesoro de Simba
Finland - Leijonakuningas 2: Jylhkallion ylpeys
France - Le roi lion 2: L'honneur de la tribu
UK - The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride
Greece (transliterated ISO-LATIN-1 title) - O vasilias ton liontarion II: To vasileio tou Simba
Greece - Ÿ βαƒιλιά‚ „‰ν λιον„αιŽν 2: Το βαƒίλειο „ο… Σίμ€α
Croatia - Kralj lavova 2: Simbin ponos
Hungary - Az oroszlnkirly 2: Simba bszkes ge
Italy - Il re leone II - Il regno di Simba
Mexico - El rey len 2: El reino de Simba
Netherlands (informal literal title) - De leeuwenkoning 2: Simba's Trots
Norway - Lvenes konge 2 - Simbas stolthet
Poland - Krl lew II: Czas Simby
Portugal - O Rei Leo 2: O Orgulho de Simba
Portugal - O Rei Leo II: O Reino de Simba
Serbia - Kralj lavova 2 - Simbin ponos
Russia - šо€олŒ ›ев 2: “о€до‚Œ Симб‹
Sweden (alternative title) - Lejonkungen 2: Simbas skatt
Sweden - Lejonkungen II: Simbas skatt
Turkey (Turkish title) - Aslan Kral 2 - Simba'nin onuru
USA (working title) - Simba's Pride
USA - The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride
World-wide (English title) - The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride
Release Dates:
Certifications:
Argentina:Atp / Australia:G / Brazil:Livre / Canada:G / Iceland:L / Mexico:A / Netherlands:AL / Singapore:G / South Korea:All / Sweden:7 / Taiwan:GP / UK:U / USA:G
Movie Details:
MOVIE
