Straight to video. For a long time, that phrase was the kiss of death for any movie. It conjured up images of grainy animation, C-list voice actors, and scripts written in a weekend. But then there’s The Lion King II: Simba's Pride.
It shouldn’t have worked. Most Disney sequels from the late 90s were, frankly, pretty bad. But somehow, this story about a territorial dispute and a forbidden romance became a core memory for a whole generation of kids who grew up with VHS players. It’s weirdly dark. It’s got songs that—honestly—go harder than some of the tracks in the original. And it actually bothers to deal with the messy aftermath of a revolution.
The Lion King II and the Shakespearean Connection
Most people know the first movie is basically Hamlet with fur. If you didn't know that, well, now you do. Simba is the moody prince, Scar is the murderous uncle, and Mufasa is the ghost father demanding justice. When Disney decided to make The Lion King II, they didn't just throw random characters at the screen. They looked back at William Shakespeare.
This time, they went for Romeo and Juliet.
It’s not subtle. You have Kiara, Simba’s headstrong daughter, and Kovu, the hand-picked heir of the exiled "Outlanders." They meet at a watering hole, they’re from rival families, and their parents hate each other. It’s classic star-crossed lovers territory. But where Shakespeare ended his play with a double suicide, Disney (thankfully) opted for a message about breaking the cycle of violence.
Kovu isn’t actually Scar’s son, though. That’s a detail a lot of people miss. The movie explicitly mentions he was "adopted" or chosen by Scar. Why? Because if Kovu were Scar's biological son, he’d be Kiara’s first cousin once removed. Disney wasn't about to go down that road.
Simba is Kind of the Villain (Sort of)
If you rewatch The Lion King II as an adult, you realize something uncomfortable. Simba is kind of a jerk.
He’s paranoid. He’s overprotective. He’s basically turned into his father, but without Mufasa’s calm "circle of life" vibe. Instead, Simba is out here profiling the Outlanders and refusing to believe that anyone from "that side" of the tracks could ever change. It’s a fascinating look at how trauma changes a person. Simba spent his childhood thinking he killed his dad, lived in exile eating bugs, and then had to fight his uncle to the death. Of course he’s a helicopter parent.
The conflict in The Lion King II stems entirely from Simba’s inability to forgive. While Kiara wants to explore, Simba is busy building a wall—metaphorically and literally—between the Pride Lands and the Outlands.
The Gritty Reality of the Outlands
The animation shift is noticeable. The Pride Lands are lush and golden. The Outlands? They look like a nightmare. It’s all jagged rocks, termites, and grey dirt. Zira, the leader of the exiled lions, is perhaps one of the most underrated Disney villains ever. She isn't looking for a throne just because she's greedy. She's looking for revenge.
Suzanne Pleshette voiced Zira with this terrifying, rasping edge. When she sings "Lullaby," it isn't a sweet song. It’s a frantic, rhythmic promise of war.
- Zira’s obsession with Scar is borderline cult-like.
- She trains Kovu to be an assassin from birth.
- She’s one of the few Disney villains who arguably chooses her own death rather than accepting help from the hero.
Does the Music Hold Up?
Let's be real. Nobody expects a sequel to have "Circle of Life" levels of greatness. But "He Lives in You" is a masterpiece. It was actually originally written for Rhythm of the Pride Lands, a 1995 concept album, but it found its true home in the opening of The Lion King II. It feels massive. It feels spiritual.
Then there’s "Not One of Us."
This is the scene where the Pride Landers exile Kovu. It’s visually striking and incredibly mean-spirited. The animals of the savanna, usually depicted as peaceful subjects, turn into a literal mob. They chant "Deception! Disgrace!" while chasing a confused, heartbroken lion away. It’s a heavy scene for a kids' movie. It handles themes of prejudice and collective guilt in a way that feels surprisingly mature.
Why It Actually Ranks in the Disney Pantheon
Most sequels fail because they just repeat the first movie. The Lion King II succeeds because it evolves the world. It asks what happens after the "Happily Ever After." It turns out that running a kingdom is hard and grudges don't just disappear because the bad guy fell into a pit of hyenas.
The movie also gave us a different kind of protagonist. Kiara isn't Simba. She’s not trying to prove her bravery or take back a throne. She’s just trying to figure out who she is outside of being "the Princess." Her chemistry with Kovu feels earned because they both feel like outcasts in their own way.
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Technical Tidbits You Might Have Forgotten
- The Voice Cast: Most of the original cast returned. Matthew Broderick is back as Simba, Nathan Lane as Timon, and Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa. Having the original voices makes a huge difference in making it feel "real."
- The Animation: It was handled by Disney MovieToons (later DisneyToon Studios) in Sydney, Australia. While it doesn't have the $45 million budget of the 1994 original, the character acting—especially on Kovu—is top-tier for the era.
- The Lion Guard: If you’ve seen the Disney Junior show The Lion Guard, you know they had to do some serious gymnastics to explain where Kion (Simba’s son) was during the events of this movie. Basically, they just decided he was "off-screen" or busy elsewhere.
The Legacy of the Outlanders
The fan community for this movie is surprisingly huge. If you go on fan-fiction sites or art galleries like DeviantArt, the "Outlander" lore is massive. People love the idea of the "other" pride. It added a layer of complexity to the world of the Lion King that the live-action remake completely ignored.
Speaking of the remakes, there’s been a lot of talk about whether Disney will ever adapt the sequel into the new "photorealistic" style. While Mufasa: The Lion King acts as a prequel, fans are still clamoring for a proper version of Kiara and Kovu’s story. There’s something about the "Romeo and Juliet" trope that just works, especially when you add lions to the mix.
How to Re-Experience the Story Today
If you’re looking to dive back into the Pride Lands, don't just watch the movie.
Check out the soundtrack on high-quality speakers. Specifically, listen to "We Are One." It’s the emotional heart of the film. It mirrors the "Circle of Life" but makes it more personal—it’s about a father trying to explain to his daughter that she is part of something bigger, even if she doesn't feel like it yet.
Also, pay attention to the character design of Kovu. He looks enough like Scar to be scary, but his eyes are softer. That’s intentional. The animators wanted us to see the conflict in him. He’s a "weapon" that doesn't want to fire.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the 4K Upscales: If you can find the Blu-ray or the Disney+ version, the colors have been significantly cleaned up compared to the old VHS.
- Compare the Themes: If you have kids, use the "Not One of Us" sequence to talk about fairness and why Simba was wrong to judge Kovu based on his family.
- Listen to the Broadway Version: Some songs from the sequel actually made it into the stage musical in various forms or were inspired by the same African choral arrangements by Lebo M.
The Lion King II isn't just a sequel. It’s a standalone exploration of forgiveness and the struggle to move past a dark history. It’s better than it has any right to be, and it deserves a spot on your "must-watch" list if you haven't seen it since 1998.