The Lion King 1 1/2

This retelling of THE LION KING (1994) from the point of view of comic sidekicks Timon (voice of Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) is one of the rare Disney direct-to-video sequels worthy of the original. The Mystery Science Theater 3000 framing device has meerkat Timon and warthog Pumbaa silhouetted before a movie screen. The animal odd couple reveal their hitherto unknown presence in parts of the first film — unnoticed in the shadows of history, they witnessed key events in little Simba's life before actually meeting the exiled cub (Matt Weinberg) — and details their other unsung foibles and heroics. Who knew the meerkats of the savannah were Lower Eas...