Think of it as Disney's toon take on "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead." Much like Tom Stoppard's cheeky reworking of "Hamlet," "The Lion King 11/2 " is a clever retelling of a classic tale from skewed p.o.v. of supporting characters. Clearly aimed at young-at-heart adults as well as toddler-to-tweener children, this second made-for-video sequel to Mouse House's phenomenally popular "The Lion King" (1994) likely will prove even more profitable than its immediate predecessor, "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" (1998), heretofore the top-selling original vidpic of all time. Working from a script by Tom Rogers (co-writer of made-for-vids "Cinderella II: Dreams Come True" and "Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure"), director Bradley Raymond ("Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World") revisits bits and pieces of first "Lion King" while propelling latest franchise entry on a parallel narrative track.
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