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Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure (2001)

I must be fair and honest while reviewing Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure and admit it isn’t half-bad considering everything. Make no mistake. This 2001 sequel to the 1955 Disney animated film has no business existing. The plot is thin and much of its plot simply repeats what we've seen before but in reverse. Still, it’s good looking, with some affectionate nods to the classic (better) film. There's just enough here to entertain the little ones.

In a story that is much more “Scamp’s Adventure” than “Lady and the Tramp II”, the couple’s pup, Scamp (voiced by Scott Wolf ) longs for a life on the streets. When Scamp spots a group of freedom-loving junkyard dogs under the leadership of Buster (Chazz Palminteri), he runs away from home and quickly befriends the lovely Angel (Alyssa Milano).

I was surprised by how good-looking a film this is. The quality of animation is close to the original’s and that’s a big feat for something released straight-to-DVD. Digital painting and a short running time (which means less to animate) have paid off here. There are a few noticeable CGI models here and there but you’ll also see plenty of difficult shots where the camera spins or multiple perfectly on-model dogs move around. Well done.

I said the plot is familiar but there’s enough new material or twists to give it somewhat of an identity. You're used to contrived scenarios like the one in 101 Dalmatians 2 to bring back everyone you liked before. In Scamp's Adventure the returning crowds are neighbors, relatives, or - in the case of those 2 Italian restaurant owners - live nearby. It's more organic. Let's not kid ourselves. These references to the original are there to make you nostalgic but the different take on the dog spaghetti-eating scenes amused me. I'll also credit the film’s villain for feeling much more realistic than I’m accustomed to seeing in these Disney sequels. Scamp's desire to be "free" may be stupid from the perspective of someone who knows better but you can understand how a dumb pup would want something other than domesticated life. It leads to (mostly) natural conflicts, which make Scamp's Adventure more digestible.

While I am ultimately choosing to give the film a positive review, on a different day I might swing the other way. It's a musical with no memorable songs. The romance between Scamp and Angel is unnecessary and only reminds you of a better movie you could be watching. As a sequel, this adds nothing to the world it's set in and too often repeats what's been done before. If not in the 1955 picture, in something else. This is barely more than a couple of episodes of a TV series stitched together. I doubt it would pass the hour-long mark if it weren't for the unnecessary dog catchers and those lame musical numbers. None of this is fresh or anything anyone could ever call a favorite. Still, it's a way to keep the kids busy for a bit.

[adamwatchesmovies]

Mulan II (2004)

Mulan II will entertain young children craving more of the 1998 film. Anyone else will find it interminable. The characters are flat, plots obvious, songs unmemorable, and stakes minuscule. It makes you appreciate the original so much more to see this polar opposite.

After the events of the first movie, Fa Mulan (voiced by Ming-Na Wen) and General Li Shang (BD Wong) become engaged. Suddenly, they receive an important mission from the Emperor (Pat Morita). They must escort his three daughters across the country to marry for political reasons. To ensure the mission’s success, Yao (Harvey Fierstein), Ling (Gedde Watanabe), and Chien-Po (Jerry Tondo) accompany them. Meanwhile, Mushu (now voiced by Mark Moseley) learns his position as Mulan’s guardian will end if she marries and decides to break up the happy couple.

This is nothing more than a series of subplots stitched together. I suppose you can give points to this follow-up for not simply regurgitating what we saw previously but this isn’t just a step-down, it’s a gigantic-precipice-down. Even before it gets started, you know exactly how it’s going to end. The princesses are upset about getting married to royals they’ve never met. As soon as Ling, Yao, and Chien-Po display even a single, shallow thing in common with them, it’s love at first sight. What if one of Qui Gong’s princes likes food or jokes? Only one of them ever shows up so even we don’t find out what they’re rejecting.

In 1998’s Mulan, a little Mushu went a long way. This is living proof. Or maybe it just feels like he gets way too much screen time because the historical anachronisms and other gags are never funny. The family ancestors hate him. You do too. At least Mark Moseley’s impression of Eddie Murphy is pretty good.

Like its predecessor, Mulan II is a musical. None of the songs are memorable. One is simply a reprise of A Girl Worth Fighting For but without the charm surrounding it. There are no laughs, no depth, and little to like in this entire film. You’ll be continuously checking your watch. How can 79 minutes feel so long?

Let’s be real, no one looks at the cover for Mulan II and expects greatness. At best, this would’ve been a bonus to compliment the wonderful original. Nothing about it is sophisticated, which means it’s just for little ones but why even bother? No one would ever prefer Mulan II over Mulan. No one could enjoy it independently either. No one would ever call this their favorite movie. The animation is fair - the crowd shots and dance numbers are impressive for a low-budget production - and the voice acting is fine. The story and screenplay, however, are no good. I could never recommend Mulan II to anyone, except for the smallest, most indiscriminate children whose parents are about to go mad from hearing Be a Man for the thousandth time, and even then… (On Blu-ray, September 13, 2020)