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Okay, so around here it is generally accepted that Lion King II and Bambi 2 are both the best DTV follow-ups Disney has churned out in recent years, and I myself agree with that. Over here in Britain, both were good enough to receive a limited theatrical release. I was partly inspired by a similar thread in the Balto 2 section, and I thought that comparing Bambi 2 to the Lion King sequel would be a bit more fair than pitting it against everyone's 'favourite' Balto sequel.

So which one would I say is better? Using different colours for each film, I shall consider the following points:

Lion King II - Good points:

Lovely animation
Touching story
Beautiful soundtrack
Interesting new characters
Respects the original
The original characters were changed, but in some cases it felt more natural (like with Nala, for example)

And the bad points:

Simba was turned into the typical 'overprotective father.'
The film spent too little time on Kovu and Kiara's childhood, so they did not have that endearing appeal that Simba and Nala had.

Bambi 2 - the good points

Excellent quality animation (even better than LKII)
Pleasant music
Main characters were kept in character
Some new interesting characters
Touching story
Doesn't ruin the original

And the bad points:

The songs, although nice, were a bit too modern and 'pop-ish' for a Bambi film.
The Great Prince is turned into the typical 'single Dad,' therefore he somewhat loses the mysterious factor he had in the original.
There is too much dialogue. That is Bambi 2's real major flaw. The original let music tell the story, so this sequel feels really 'chatty.'
Bambi 2, although a good cash-in, is still a cash-in all the same and wasn't really necessary.

All in all, I have to say I prefer Lion King II. The Lion King is an easier film to follow up, because it is more recent and therefore it is easier to re-capture the aspects of the original. Bambi 2 is great, but you really cannot make a sequel to something that was released during World War II. Following up what is one of the greatest animated films of all time (IMHO) means some big shoes to fill, and I don't think Bambi 2 filled them. At least not entirely anyway.

But anyway, what do you think?

I seriously have to go with Lion King 2,Bambi 2 was more of a midquel,and LK 2 was a sequel.

I definitely prefer LK2. Babmi 2 was just okay in my opinion.

Well since I never seen Bambi2 because the stupid DVD wouldn't play, I have to go with TLK2..

Hooray a border collie fan!

Anyway, I'd say TLK 2, 'cause I've never seen Bambi 2.

The Lion King II. Bambi II gave away The Great Princes' secret identity a little bit too much. I did love that bambi's dad turned out to be a great one, but I hated that he was ashamed of himself to play and prounce with his own son.

I like TLK2 II better because it's a sequel.
Bambi II seemed more like a character flash back then a sequel...

Bambi II^^I know that TLK II is a sequel but I prefer Bambi^^

I prefer The Lion King II. Bambi II was okay, but the diologue was just too chatty for a Bambi movie. TLK II stayed truer to the feel of the original.

unlike Balto 2 or Bambi 2, this one requires more thought...
both LK2 and Bambi2 stuck with the same characters and their characteristics...so with being unable to decide...
i say both ^^

Well, I agree that both films had their pros and cons, but I find it really hard to choose one over the other.

TLK2 was indeed a truer sequel, unlike Bambi 2, which was a midquel that tried to add more to the original story. I agree that TLK2 didn't spend much time with the cubs when they were younger (like TLK did throughout most of the film), while in Bambi 2, he was still a child (fawn . . . whatever) who now had to grow up at a crucial time in a deer's life.

I did enjoy the sudden change in the Great Prince's character in Bambi 2 (since he began to fill in that void of the parental guardian for Bambi), but I can't say the same for Simba - the great Lion King of the original was too serious and was the stereotypical overprotective dad. I mean, he meant well, but he was trying to be too much like his father instead of his own lion. (That's why I love that one line that Kiara tells him after Kovu's exile . . . You go, girl!)

The focus characters are typical: Bambi's the heir to the forest, and still a playful child at heart - a perfect opposite to his father's serious demeanor; Kiara, Simba's daughter and the future Queen of the Pridelands, begins as a mirrored personality of a young Simba - curious, adventurous and quite headstrong - but as she grows into a lioness, she realizes how important she really is to her pride and what she is meant to be, despite her father's protectiveness over her and sharp commands towards her when bad things happen due to her headstrongness; and of course, Kovu, the "chosen heir" of Scar and Zira's pride of Outlanders, is an independent cub, raised to be a killer and a serious force to be reckoned with, but once he grows closer to Kiara, his character does a complete 180 as he is forced to decide between someone he loves and the mission he was chosen for.

So yeah, I'd have to say that both movies are great in their own ways. Sure, TLK2 is more true to the original Lion King and Bambi 2 is only a side-story to add more to that missing area of the original film, but both films succeed.

- Juuchan17

For now it is Lion King 2 since I have yet to see Bambi 2 (would like to see it though).