Bambi II (February 12/06)

Though it's occasionally quite touching and features some admittedly gorgeous animation, Bambi II never quite comes off as anything more than a needless sequel. The emphasis on individual vignettes over a vibe of linear cohesion only cements this feeling, and by the time everything's said and done, it's clear that we haven't learned much more about these characters than we did in the original.

The story is actually set during the events of Bambi, after the titular fawn's mother is killed but before he becomes a full-grown deer. With nobody to care for him, Bambi finds himself placed under the reluctant care of his father - the foreboding Great Prince (voiced by Patrick Stewart). The two slowly grow to respect each other, though Bambi retains his penchant for getting into a variety of troublesome situations with his friends (including Thumper the rabbit and a doe named Faline).

While Bambi II sports a more more polished look than its predecessor, the filmmakers have effectively replicated the style and spirit of the original - right down to the exclusion of overly quirky supporting characters (the lone exception being an unusually mean-spirited, Biff-like bully). But like the '42 classic, Bambi II moves at a slow, reflective pace that'll probably leave smaller children squirming in their seats - though it's clear that certain portions of the film have been designed to appeal solely to that age group (ie Bambi's encounter with a neurotic groundhog).

Having said that, the underlying theme (revolving around the tentative father/son relationship between Bambi and the Great Prince) is difficult to resist and there are a number of genuinely compelling moments spread throughout the film (something that's particularly true of the thrilling finale). Bambi II may not be essential, but it's a heck of a lot better than some of Disney's other direct-to-video sequels.