"I do love knitting patterns."

So, you all voted, and you asked me to review Lion King 2 instead of Little Mermaid 2. Thank you.

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride is the sequel to The Lion King. It starts where we left off in the first film: Simba and Nala presenting their new cub, Kiara.

Like how The Lion King was based off of Shakespeare's Hamlet, The Lion King II is also based off a Shakespeare play: Romeo and Juliet.
You are probably thinking this is going to bad just by that first sentence. But don't worry. Read on, and I'll assure, that this is actually pretty good.

Simba is king, and is trying his hardest to follow in his father's footsteps. However, in the film, he is a little judgemental towards the Outsiders, or lions still loyal to Scar. He banished them, and forbids them to enter the Pride Lands. He even tells Kiara to "never turn your back on an Outsider." However, it was Scar who killed his father, tried to kill him, ruined the Pride Lands, so his hatred towards Zira is understandable.

Speaking of Zira, she plays our antagonist. To learn more about her, go here.

Kiara, obviously plays our Juliet. However, Kiara has a strong independent streak, is fun loving, and is also a good flirt. And she doesn't immediately fall for Kovu. They first meet when they are kids, and they want to be friends, instead of dating. When she gets older, she goes for a hunt, nearly dies, and that's when she meets Kovu again. She's not as friendly, until she remembers him. Then she starts to fall. She is also smart. When Kovu wants to run away, she advises that they stop their tribes from fighting.

Kovu plays our Romeo, and, whil being just as charming, comes from a tougher life than Romeo. From this life, Kovu has become an excellent hunter. He hasn't had much fun in his life, considering his whole childhood was spent training to kill Simba. At first, he is headstrong to stay to his lifelong plan. Then, he begins to fall for Kiara. And that's when things get complicated. He keeps trying to find a way to tell Kiara that he was part of a plot to kill her father, and that he has begun to love her.

Timon and Pumbaa have a stronger role in this film, as Kiara's babysitter. They also help Simba tell off Zira back to the Outlands, and fight in the war of the two clans. Nala is much more maternal in this film, and wise. However, it is clear that Vitani and Nala have a fierce rivalry, yet that is never explained. Nuka is resentful against Kovu being the "Chosen One", and is constantly trying to impres his mother, to the point of death. Rafiki plays our Friar Lawrence here, trying to bring Kiara and Kovu closer together in hopes to bring the feud to an end.

The film came out only four years after the original Lion King, and the animation is actually good. The songs are good too.
There is only one problem with this film: Am I supposed to believe that Zira, who is so loyal to Scar, she actually smiles as she is dying because she will be with him again, had an affair with another lion and got pregnant? Or...maybe...Zira was raped by a Pride Lander, thus making her even angrier, and Scar felt sorry for Kovu being concieved by rape, and chose him to lead on?

But, it is a pretty good movie. I am glad to have reviewed it.