LION KING 1 ½

2004, Walt Disney Pictures

Animated

Rating: G

Approx. 77 mins

THE STORY:

A prequel and parallel-quel (?) to Lion King, the story is told through the eyes of Timon (Nathan Lane), an exuberant meerkat, and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella), his sensitive warthog side kick. 

Timon is a misfit who wants more out of life than trying to avoid being eaten. He sets off on a quest to find his “place” and runs into Pumbaa. The two become fast friends, and then doting parents to Simba, the stray lion cub. The years pass idyllically until Simba leaves to avenge his father’s death. Feeling betrayed, Timon turns his back on both of his friends and tries to find happiness on his own. He soon realizes this is just not possible and reaches out to friends and family. Ultimately, he discovers that a “place” is nothing without those you love and who love you.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE: 

• fat

VIOLENCE: 

• Not notable

TEACHING POINT:

• No man is an island; we all need to love and be loved

THE UPSHOT:

I much preferred Lion King 1 ½ to the original. It’s funnier, cleverer, lighter and stands alone as a story unto itself. In an interesting twist, the meerkats are animated as a Yiddish-spouting Jewish community complete with a smothering mother (Julie Kavner) and excitable uncle (Jerry Stiller).

Other than a couple of scenes related to Pumbaa’s gastric issues (well couched in enough euphemism to leave most kids oblivious), there is nothing at all contentious in the movie—no violence or really questionable language. It successfully manages to entertain both parents and—more importantly—kids.

4/5