This week, we revisited The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride, a film that surprised both of us in more ways than one.
If you know me, you know that I would never put The Lion King high on my list. However, the sequel to the critically acclaimed film, The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride, is a different story.
I haven’t watched this movie in over 10 years, so it felt like watching it for the first time. As I was watching, the first thought that ran through my mind was, “This is just like Romeo and Juliet”—star-crossed lovers from rival families, caught in a web of old resentments.
We all know that the first Lion King movie is based on Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. The fact that we got another sequel for this movie, using another Shakespeare model, was interesting.
And this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this trope with Disney movies, such as Lady and the Tramp and The Aristocats (is this a trend for Disney animal-focused movies?).
So how does Simba’s Pride differ from the other two movies?
For one, Kiara and Kovu’s love is more forbidden. These two cubs met by accident after Kiara wandered off to a place where she shouldn’t be, and Kovu saved her. When they meet again as adult, things have changed, especially for Kovu. Not only is he undercover to kill Simba, but he also falls in love with Kiara, which drives the plot for the second act of the movie.
I can’t imagine being put in a situation like Kovu, who now has to choose between the person he loves and his family, and the consequences that follow.
The second point is that these two aren’t just finding love with each other; they are trying to find a way to bring their families together after the death of Scar and Simba banishing his followers.
I will admit that while watching the movie, it wasn’t truly explained why Simba kicked out certain lions from Pride Rock, especially when in the first movie, it was perceived that none of the lions sided with Scar.
But as much as Simba wanted to try to bring peace, Kovu and Kiara had to deal with the breaking of the generational trauma that had been brought down on them from Mufasa’s time.
I think each side has its fair share of right and wrong, but what was truly wrong was trying to pit two kids against each other when the fight never included them.
If you want to listen more to what my brother and I had to say about The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride, listen to our latest episode!
-Simone
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