The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Special Edition (2004) DVD

Disney made plans to re-release The Lion King II: Simba's Pride on DVD since February 2004, making this film the first to have a re-release after its Limited Issue counterpart. The DVD arrived to stores on August 31, 2004.

Synopsis
All the power and majesty of animation's greatest achievement—Disney's Academy Award®–winning* film, The Lion King—return for The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, the final volume of The Lion King trilogy! Now in this new 2-Disc Special Edition, meet Kiara and Kovu, the newest generation of the pride, experience the power of "Upendi," and enjoy more of Timon and Pumbaa's hilarious antics!

Kiara, Simba's headstrong daughter and heir to the Pride Lands, is on the prowl for adventure. Despite the best efforts of her appointed baby-sitters, Timon and Pumbaa, she strays from Pride Rock while chasing a butterfly and finds herself in an area she has never before explored: the Outlands. Her father has warned her that this area is strictly off-limits, however her curiosity gets the best of her and she begins to explore this mysterious land.

It's here that Kiara meets the mischievous Kovu, a young cub who, unbeknownst to her, is Scar's nephew. Before his demise, Scar told his sister Zira that he wanted Kovu to be raised as his chosen successor to the throne. After Simba banished Zira, Scar's sister-in-law Serabi and Scar's other followers to the Outlands at the end of The Lion King, Zira dedicated herself to training Kovu for his historic role. In order to walk in Scar's paw prints, he would need to defeat Simba and take over the animal kingdom.

Of course, all this attention makes for some serious sibling rivalry between Kovu and his brother, Nuka, and Vitani, his sister. As the oldest, Nuka feels he is entitled to the throne, but his attempts to win his mother's favor go unacknowledged. He makes one last effort to please his mother by trying to kill Simba. After failing, he whispers his last words: "I tried."

Even though his family attempts to darken his heart, Kovu has a lighter side. When he and Kiara first meet, they instantly become friends—and they have a lot to learn from each other. Kovu teaches Kiara how to hunt and Kiara teaches Kovu how to have fun, something he hasn't experienced while living in the Outlands. Over time, this friendship develops into something stronger and they experience the power of "Upendi"—which means "love." It starts with them and, as you will see, they soon find a way to share it with all the members of their pride and bring them back together.

It's challenging because Simba, Zira, and the others in their respective tribes have very strong feelings of distrust and dislike for one another. This makes it especially hard for Simba to welcome Kovu when he first comes to him, asking if he can live with the others at Pride Rock. Simba even makes Kovu sleep outside the cave at first. But Nala encourages Simba to get to know Kovu on his own terms.

Soon Simba makes the effort to reach out to Kovu, but it all comes crashing down again when Zira launches her attack on Simba when he and Kovu are away from the safety of Pride Rock. The plan fails, but Simba believes Kovu has betrayed him and once again banishes him from the Pride Lands.

The power of "Upendi" is strong, and Kiara leaves Pride Rock in search of Kovu. Together, they vow, they will make a new pride for themselves. But they have bigger roles to play in the "Circle Of Life." It is up to them to step into the middle of the fateful conflict between the two prides and demonstrate to their families that they truly are one.

With an all-star cast, stunning Disney animation, six spectacular new songs, and all-new bonus features, The Lion King II: Simba's Pride is delightful family entertainment! Complete your Lion King collection with this new Special Edition—on Disney DVD and Video August 31, 2004!

DVD
Bonus material

Disc 1:


 * Music and More: Disney's Song Selection
 * Backstage Disney: Lion King's Matter-of-Facts

Disc 2:


 * Music & More: "Love Will Find a Way" Music Video
 * Timon & Pumbaa's Virtual Safari 2.0
 * Pride Land Games
 * Rafiki's Challenge
 * Backstage Disney: Find Out Why, Lots About Lions, Proud of Simba's Pride
 * Original Short Film "One by One"

Chapters

 * 1) "He Lives in You"
 * 2) Daddy's Little Princess
 * 3) The Baby-Sitters
 * 4) Crocodile Attack
 * 5) "We Are One"
 * 6) The Evil Outside
 * 7) "My Lullaby"
 * 8) Kiara's First Hunt
 * 9) Wildfire!
 * 10) Kovu to the Rescue
 * 11) Just Having Fun
 * 12) Simba Seeks Counsel
 * 13) "Upendi"
 * 14) Ambush!
 * 15) "One of Us"
 * 16) Kiara Defies Her Father
 * 17) "Love Will Find a Way"
 * 18) War!
 * 19) One Once Again
 * 20) End Credits

Advertised on:

 * 1) The Lion King (Special Edition) (October 31, 2003 - UK)
 * 2) The Lion King 1½ (February 10, 2004)
 * 3) Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time (March 16, 2004)
 * 4) Miracle (May 18, 2004)
 * 5) Teacher's Pet (June 15, 2004)
 * 6) Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (August 17, 2004)