The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Unlike The Lion King 1-1/2, which cleverly paralleled its predecessor with a plot that followed breakout side character stars Pumbaa and Timon, this is a more traditional straight-to-video Disney sequel--i.e., uninspired and formulaic. Essentially the same story as The Lion King, minus the dead-parent angst, with a little Romeo & Juliet thrown in, Simba's Pride centers on Kiara, cub daughter of the grown-up title character (still with Matthew Broderick's voice--which is rather ineffectual for the king of the beasts), who lands in all the same kinds of trouble Simba did as a kid when she embarks on forbidden adventures across the Pridelands border. Here she meets Kovu, a young cub from a villainous pride of lions banished after Scar was dispatched at the end of the first movie (for the sake of cranking out this sequel, Disney has chosen to ignore the fact that Scar had no lions on his side in The Lion King, which is why he needed the hyenas), and thus a PG-worthy war (though the rating remains "G") now looms with Kovu, Scar's heir, torn between his feelings for Kiara and his oath to kill Simba. Riddled with minor plot holes and padded with unmemorable songs, Simba's Pride scrapes by on its heritage and just enough charm to entertain undemanding kids. Optional. (R. Blackwelder)