Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog are best pals and the unsung heroes of the African savanna. This prequel to the smash Disney animated adventure takes you back -- way back -- before Simba's adventure began. You'll find out all about Timon and Pumbaa and tag along as they search for the perfect home and attempt to raise a rambunctious lion cub.
The Lion King 1½ is a clever Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead-style retelling that follows Timon and Pumbaa through the events of the original film, which gives it some novelty as a direct-to-video spin-off concept. The humor lands reasonably well thanks to the returning voice cast maintaining their chemistry, but the plot is thin and largely dependent on the audience's familiarity with the original. The animation is noticeably downgraded from theatrical quality, and the ending—while meta and charming in a self-aware way—doesn't land with much impact. It's an enjoyable but lightweight companion piece.