Kovu's Transition

[SnowyCheetah]

It seems to me that Kovu made a pretty huge transition when he went from Zira's intense training and <presumably> an all-work-no-play attitude and lifestyle when he ended up switching sides and joining Simba's Pride. Do you think such a change was realistic, given the relatively short amount of time it took place in? Seems to me Kovu couldn't change that fast without having some mental and/or emotonal issues later on.

[kovuxkiara4evr]

Hmm. He's a tough lion due to all that training but I'm sure it all came back through some sort of emotional pain. Now, I'm not saying he reverted back, but he probably had a lot to think about. Not sure if I'm making sense.

[SnowyCheetah]

Hmm. He's a tough lion due to all that training but I'm sure it all came back through some sort of emotional pain. Now, I'm not saying he reverted back, but he probably had a lot to think about. Not sure if I'm making sense.

It makes sense ^^ I'd probably be the same way in his situation lol

[Simbaholikov]

Realistically it would have taken weeks for such a change to take place, but of course Disney couldn't make a film last that long
So i'd say he probably had some major mental and emotional problems as time went on ^^

[kovuxkiara4evr]

makes sense ^^ I'd probably be the same way in his situation lol

Me too. But he has Kiara to help him though it.

[Azdgari]

I think it was awfully quick, but I can understand, as a stretch, how it would be possible. I mean, if you were raised on brutality, violence, little food, little love, etc wouldn't you be pretty quickly inclined to stick with the friend-filled, love-filled, food-filled lifestyle of the Pridelands? Especially when you're in love with a lioness there?

[Kina]

I personally agree with Azdgari, but also with kovuxkiara4ever in some degree. It would have realistically taken place over a span of weeks, perhaps even a full month/moonspan. Betrayal to what he was raised for would be difficult, confusing. Even with help from Kiara, though, he'd still have second thoughts for a little while. Overall, however, the choice is clear - the Pridelands outweigh the Outlands when it comes to ideals and life in general, especially since Vitani joined him. So, he still has some family that he grew up with around him, as well as the lioness he loves.

[kovuxkiara4evr]

I personally agree with Azdgari, but also with kovuxkiara4ever in some degree. It would have realistically taken place over a span of weeks, perhaps even a full month/moonspan. Betrayal to what he was raised for would be difficult, confusing. Even with help from Kiara, though, he'd still have second thoughts for a little while. Overall, however, the choice is clear - the Pridelands outweigh the Outlands when it comes to ideals and life in general, especially since Vitani joined him. So, he still has some family that he grew up with around him, as well as the lioness he loves.

Yeah you pretty much just explained it all.

[Akril]

The transition didn't seem convincing to me at all. For the first part of Kovu's adult life, every part of him we see makes look like a suave, brave, cool-headed bad guy. He rushes into a raging fire to rescue Kiara for the sole reason of earning Simba's trust, then solidly stands his ground as he calmly requests to join Simba's pride. As he follows Simba and the others back to Pride Rock, he even gives that sly grin as if to say to the audience, "Yeah, I'm a bad guy, and don't you forget it".

However, the Kovu after the rhino chase seems like a completely different lion. He becomes a mopey, emotional softy. Gone is his sly, cool demeanor and the witty banter he shared with Kiara. Suddenly, the lion trained all his life to be a powerful fighter gets knocked out with just one kick from his sister as he's trying to save Simba, he just stands on top of the gorge and looks at Simba as Simba is trying to escape the Outlanders, and the way he cowers under Zira's gaze -- I'm sorry, I can't think of any other way to describe it -- makes him look like a complete wuss.

And after running away from her, he then runs away from a mass of animals trying to force him away from the lioness he's just fallen in love with, not even trying to fight them back in an attempt to explain what really happened during the ambush. We see a little glimmer of his old self when he's standing up to his mother in the final battle (but probably only because he has Kiara with him), and when Kiara falls into the gorge, he doesn't try to save her like he did in the fire, he just stands on top of the gorge and yells her name.

Yes, it's definitely possible that Kovu had some emotional issues as an adult before his transition, but without actually seeing evidence of them, it just makes his transition that much more jarring.

Sorry about the rant -- I just figured that since there was a thread about this topic going on, I might as well say my piece.

[KiarasMate]

I don't think Kovu's transition was too farfetched. ^^ Love can make us do strange things and is a more powwerful force than hate could ever be. There were three main factors that aided in his change as well. First and foremost, it was Kiara and the love and support she provided Kovu with. Then, we have the talk with Simba, where Kovu learns the truth about Scar, thus nullifying all of the lies that Zira probably planted into his mind. Lastly, there is Zira herself. After striking out at him and blaming him for Nuka's death, along with threatening the life of her own daughter, which Kovu was present to witness, I'm sure this was more than enough to change Kovu's mind about things. Sure, he was raised to be a killer, but this just proves that love triumphs over all. Even during the fire rescue scene, we already get a small glimpse into Kovu's softer side as well, as he genuinely looks concerned for Kiara's well-being, so that just hints at the fact that he's not entirely the cold hearted killer that one would think he was by this point in the movie. ^^