With sequels, what you don’t want is one that focuses on a lot of CGI and explosions (Transformers) or gives you more of the same (Hangover). The challenge is to create a meaningful script that either takes the story in a new direction (Fast Five) or further develops the main character. Luckily for us, “Kung Fu Panda 2” is a winning combination of martial arts, humor and action sequences that made the first one successful plus an identity quest for the fuzzy panda hero, Po (voiced by Jack Black). When the movie opens, Po has found his place among the Furious Five, which includes Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Mantis (Seth Rogan), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Crane (David Cross) and Viper (Lucy Liu), and he is continuing his training under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). The group sets out on a mission to foil a group of bad guys terrorizing a local village. The bad guys are after metal needed by their evil master, Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), a peacock, who is building a weapon to conquer the world. Lord Shen happens to fear pandas because a soothsayer (Michelle Yeoh) has predicted that he will be killed by one so Shen sets out to get Po. The narrative also explores how Po ended up as the son of a goose (James Hong). This story, which is told via flashbacks, is a tragic one. It also emphasizes the central theme of accepting oneself along with the concept that family has less to do with genetics and more to do with love and nurturing.
Jack Black once again demonstrates his excellence as a voice actor. His Po is likeable and less cartoonish than some of Black’s live-action characters (e.g. Gulliver). And he is ably supported by a cast of well-known faces. There’s some platonic chemistry between Po and Tigress, but with a reported five sequels for Panda, there are suggestions for a future romance. And Gary Oldman is effective as the malevolent Shen. Because I didn’t see this in 3D, I can’t comment on how the dark 3D lenses affect the clarity and colors of the movie, but I don’t feel I missed anything. Director Jennifer Yuh employs a type of hand-drawn imagery for many of the flashback scenes, giving the film texture and depth. “Kung Fu Panda 2” ends with a direct lead-in to “Kung Fu Panda 3” and if the same care is taken with the second sequel, that will be a good thing. 5/27/11
3 comments:
Since I don't like Jack Black or the originsl "Kung Fu Panda" movie, I was pleasantly surprised by this sequel. The story was good and the villains appropriately evil. overall, a very entertaining animation.
I hate Jack Black but I liked the animated movie. Much better than the first Panda.
One of the best films of tjhe year, this movie was great! Super 8should be a spectacular success at the box office.
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