The first Swan Princess has a few flaws, but is a memorable and surprisingly good film. The first sequel, Secret of the Castle, showed good promise, but has too many flaws that prevent it from surpassing the original. The animation tries to be true to that of the original, but has at times very flat backgrounds and awkward character animation. The voice acting was okay, but hardly anybody who took part in the original returned. In fact only Michelle Nicastro as Odette and Steve Vinovich as Puffin return, both doing good jobs, and a notable absentee is John Cleese as Jean Bob. He made the first movie, and although the new voice actor did his best, Jean Bob just wasn't as funny, as the new voice actor just lacks Cleese's comedic talent. I personally thought Clavious was not a very effective villain at all, he was too over the top, and as a villain, his motives weren't very clear, while Knuckles was unnecessary. Also I am still not keen on Prince Derek, he isn't charismatic enough, unlike the typical princes we know and love from Disney classics such as Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty. The best character was easily Uberta, the only really convincing character in a very unconvincing sequel(Odette is a mixed bag, she is still beautiful and brave with some feist but she has little to do). She was so funny, especially her line "NOONE SPOILS MY BIRTHDAY!" The incidental music lacked the beauty of the original and seemed hackneyed(the nod to No Fear during the orb chase scene was nice though), and the songs while somewhat a pleasant listen are definitely inferior, with the exception of "Magic of Love", the only song to try and attempt to be similar to the original. The singing voices didn't match the voice actors either. Odette's voice was perfect and angelic, but Clavius's singing couldn't be more different. His speaking voice was high pitched and over the top, but his singing voice was a Mick-Jagger like, raspy rock and roll vocal that didn't suit the character at all. The villain's dialogue was sometimes eye-rollingly cheesy(though the rest of the script was charming with a lot of funny lines), with the exception of "don't you ever shut up?" and the story was slow and predictable at times, with occasional flashes of invention and humour(like the chase for the orb, Jean briefly being turned into a prince and nobody sees and believes him afterwards and Uberta being turned into different animals), but on the whole was cardboard thin. In conclusion, a few good moments save an otherwise weak and unconvincing sequel. 5/10 Bethany Cox.
13 Reviews
This sequel is in some ways better than the original...
dwpollar31 July 2001
1st watched 7/31/2001-6 out of 10(Dir-Richard Rich): This sequel is in some ways better than the original because of it's simplicity. Rich took the characters from the original and placed them in a newer setting and different story with success. Yes, it is missing the star quality in the voices which is more noticeable with the Turtle(formerly Stephen Wright) than any other character, but there is a newness and freshness to this production that doesn't have the stinch of Disney imitation that was prevalent almost throughout in the original. There are only a few new songs, some are okay, others aren't very good, but even with this I didn't get the feeling that Rich felt like he had to overdo it. It seems like he was okay with letting the characters play out the story without crowding the production with overkill. Although I wasn't really looking forward to this sequel, I now hope to see the third entry to see the direction it goes.
The weakest of the original sequels.
Animany9415 August 2017
At a few points I liked this sequel more than the original. It is by no means a masterpiece, but that suits it well.
I can definitely point out its flaws, like too much repeating the same plot of the first one being the elephant in the room, but most people know that if they have watched the original before this, so I will highlight my positive points of view on its first sequel.
I find the relationship between Odette and Derek more believable in this one, because they point out the real ups and downs now when they are together and Derek is the king with responsibilities.
TSP 2 is not trying to be like Disney, which was almost omnipresent in the original SP. The animation is more simplistic, and it works fine. There are some glitches in the movements a few times, but it is bearable.
I actually find most of the songs memorable and catchy. The villain's song was probably the weakest and broke a little too much with the tone and setting of the movie, but still okay. I liked "The Magic of Love" song despite its whiny tone, but that leads back to the believable relationship.
Even though I find this sequel decent, it is still the weakest of the two original sequels.
I can definitely point out its flaws, like too much repeating the same plot of the first one being the elephant in the room, but most people know that if they have watched the original before this, so I will highlight my positive points of view on its first sequel.
I find the relationship between Odette and Derek more believable in this one, because they point out the real ups and downs now when they are together and Derek is the king with responsibilities.
TSP 2 is not trying to be like Disney, which was almost omnipresent in the original SP. The animation is more simplistic, and it works fine. There are some glitches in the movements a few times, but it is bearable.
I actually find most of the songs memorable and catchy. The villain's song was probably the weakest and broke a little too much with the tone and setting of the movie, but still okay. I liked "The Magic of Love" song despite its whiny tone, but that leads back to the believable relationship.
Even though I find this sequel decent, it is still the weakest of the two original sequels.
Stick to the first Swan Princess
Smells_Like_Cheese13 July 2008
When I was a little girl, I absolutely adored The Swan Princess, it was reliving the same fairy tales of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella, the princess and her prince who saves the day is always a timeless story that will never die, well, hopefully. But I figured that I would check out the sequels for The Swan Princess to see what they were like and unfortunately, this is the typical cartoon sequel that just disappoints more than entertains. The only character I found still very amusing was the Queen, she was very funny in this movie and had the best part. But with the voice changes, they were noticeable and also bothered me quite a bit, I don't mean to be picky, just it was too weird for me. The story also was just more or less borrowed from the first Swan Princess, just the villain in this movie is following Rothbart's footsteps.
Odette and Derek are about to celebrate their one year anniversary, but Derek has been too preoccupied with fighting for his kingdom to keep it safe. With his mother's birthday also coming up, he forgets about that since there is a new villain in town, Clavious, who is hoping to go above and beyond where Rothbart's powers went and kidnaps the Queen on her birthday. But Odette must change back into her swan self in order to help Derek fight him and save his mother.
The Swan Princess 2 is of course more than alright for the kids, that I never mind, it's good clean fun for them. The reason why these sequels are disappointing though is because it is usually just for the kids, that is the audience they aim for, but it's more enjoyable when the jokes and story can be enjoyed by everyone. Now there are a few laughs and giggles here and there, but this wasn't as clever in my opinion to the first Swan Princess. I would recommend it for the little one's, but if you're looking for a fun cartoon movie, I'd recommend staying with the first Swan Princess.
4/10
Odette and Derek are about to celebrate their one year anniversary, but Derek has been too preoccupied with fighting for his kingdom to keep it safe. With his mother's birthday also coming up, he forgets about that since there is a new villain in town, Clavious, who is hoping to go above and beyond where Rothbart's powers went and kidnaps the Queen on her birthday. But Odette must change back into her swan self in order to help Derek fight him and save his mother.
The Swan Princess 2 is of course more than alright for the kids, that I never mind, it's good clean fun for them. The reason why these sequels are disappointing though is because it is usually just for the kids, that is the audience they aim for, but it's more enjoyable when the jokes and story can be enjoyed by everyone. Now there are a few laughs and giggles here and there, but this wasn't as clever in my opinion to the first Swan Princess. I would recommend it for the little one's, but if you're looking for a fun cartoon movie, I'd recommend staying with the first Swan Princess.
4/10
Regular...
RosanaBotafogo17 January 2021
Voice acting is noticeable ok sequel
lisafordeay12 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The Swan Princess is one of my favourite animated movies of all time. It was fun,had great charcthers, and the songs were good too. The sequel however well let's dive in.
Odette and Derek have been together since the 1st movie and of course Derek forgot their anniversary. Of course we have a new villian who is up to no good and Odette becomes a swan again.
The animation is nice but by god the villian is no Rothbart and the voice acting isn't a patch on the original. The original Odette sounds so different since she is in this one and as for the guy who voices Derek he was god awful. Not a patch on Howard Gillian who was the original Derek. The score is even a rehash of the 1994 one.
Another was Rothbart's assistant who now has a name(Bridget) and she can talk like what since when did she have a persona.
If you love the original than stick with that one.
Odette and Derek have been together since the 1st movie and of course Derek forgot their anniversary. Of course we have a new villian who is up to no good and Odette becomes a swan again.
The animation is nice but by god the villian is no Rothbart and the voice acting isn't a patch on the original. The original Odette sounds so different since she is in this one and as for the guy who voices Derek he was god awful. Not a patch on Howard Gillian who was the original Derek. The score is even a rehash of the 1994 one.
Another was Rothbart's assistant who now has a name(Bridget) and she can talk like what since when did she have a persona.
If you love the original than stick with that one.
Not good
walsh-2223 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I was disappointed with the sequel to the Swan Princess. I can see what they were trying to do with the story, show how married life was going for Odette and Derek but the story wasn't interesting enough to hold my attention and it seemed to cover the same bases as the original.
It isn't funny. The only bit I found humorous was when Jean-Bob was turned into a prince and then back into a frog and no-one saw it happen and he was trying to convince them that it really did.
The villain is rubbish and the animation isn't as impressive as the first film.
The Queen is a very irritating character and instead of cheering with Derek to rescue his mother, you're hoping that the villain puts a spell on her voice box to stop her talking.
It is a shame because I really liked the first movie but it didn't live up to my expectations.
It isn't funny. The only bit I found humorous was when Jean-Bob was turned into a prince and then back into a frog and no-one saw it happen and he was trying to convince them that it really did.
The villain is rubbish and the animation isn't as impressive as the first film.
The Queen is a very irritating character and instead of cheering with Derek to rescue his mother, you're hoping that the villain puts a spell on her voice box to stop her talking.
It is a shame because I really liked the first movie but it didn't live up to my expectations.
for little children
Vincentiu18 February 2012
nice. charming. for little children. or for who loves more than all memories of golden age. but like many second parts, it is only search to use a successful recipes. the result is not impressive. but boring. songs, story, evil wizard, funny animals, princess and his sacrifice for beloved husband are pieces from ordinaries puzzles. only the queen may be interesting appearances. but she is just spice. and not enough. and the error is to exploit a good story more that it is acceptable. slices of pink feelings, humor as protection circle, magic globe as prey, fight scenes as toasted images, delicate nuances and old formulas to create atmosphere and victory of good as fireworks are sweet but not more. a movie for joy of little children.
Similar to original, but lacking
ryangilmer00731 July 1999
The plot outline of this movie is similar to the original. Someone gets kidnapped, the prince is incest with saving her, Odet turns into a Swan, the turtle/frog/puffin first the "bad" magician as best they can, and in the end.... Anyways, there is not much new here. With the exception of a lack of well known voice talent. Sorry, no Palance nor Cleese and thus Jean-Bob was a disapointment.
better than the first
erminahotmail6 December 2023
I don't find it fair at all that no one else doesn't give another very positive review of this film. Thank goodness If I hadn't been there then this film the swan princess 2 which for me was truly one of the best sequels to the films of animation In fact, I loved this film very muchI liked the story, the animation, the characters, the songs and I tell you that in this film I liked Clavius's villain much more than Rothbart because I really liked Clavius, his song is very beautiful and he really had something to do too very difficult Derek So for meThis film was truly beautiful for me it is the very underrated Malassemme to conclude the vote 10.
Low Point
artistic_romantic10 November 2020
Not only was the animation of a lesser quality than the original, but the plot was more or less a rehash of the original. The new villain's song is out of place for the tone of the movie, and the other new songs have a distinct 80s feel that disrupts the flow. All in all, the worst of the original 2D animation trilogy.
rubbish
x-aoife-x6 April 2007
the worst sequel I've ever seen. really awful songs which is upsetting considering how fantastic the first films score and story is! also, which ruins the film for me is the fact there is no John Cleese so jean bob might as well not even be in it and the new villains are dreadful. it is really annoying how that old woman type thing cant string a simple sentence together properly without repeating her words over and over and over again. but to be fair Uberta not shutting up is a little bit funny. but the fact it was her 50th birthday: why do they draw her looking like an 80 year old? i was going to give this a 1 but now i think... i might give it a 2. but still the story line is no where near as good as the first film . it is similar without the humour from certain characters. Overall i disliked this film entirely because of the disappointing music, the severe lack of voice talent: having changed the voice of prince Derek and jean bob, the new villains, disappointing storyline the annoying habits of some characters, and the very simple animation.
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