Animated sequel takes a step in the right direction
Was there ever any doubt that a certain bouncy, wisecracking panda—a martial arts fanboy turned kung fu warrior—would fail to be anything but awesome?
Of course there was, but “Kung Fu Panda 2” will put that to rest—because, while Po, the panda, whose fist hungers for justice as much as his stomach craves for dumplings, is no longer the novelty he once was, he has lost none of his charm.
Po isn’t quite as blithe here as he used to, however—what with the sequel going down darker roads than its predecessor. Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, this installment deals with Po (Jack Black) having to confront past tragedies, all of which have something to do with a maniacal peacock, Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), who’s armed with weapons that “breathe fire and spit metal,” and is set on ending kung fu and taking over China.
Joined by the Furious Five—Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross)—Po sets out to put a stop to Shen’s plan. There are quite a few flashbacks and dream sequences here, mostly done in 2D, which further enhance the movie’s already vivid visual palette. The prologue, where Shen’s story is told in paper-theater form, is particularly inspired.
Visually, the movie enhances what was already excellent in the original, taking its cues from Chinese landscape paintings as much as from classic wuxia films. The addition of 3D, in fact, is superfluous, and if you’re watching on Imax, be sure not to sit too close—or it can get pretty overwhelming (and not in a good way).
Dramatic scenes
Story-wise, however, the film isn’t quite as focused as the first movie. It falters in the telling, with the mood of weightier, more dramatic scenes sometimes broken awkwardly by a not always well-timed quip or visual gag.
Still, this move toward greater depth and themes not often explored in typical blockbuster fare for children (adoption and genocide, among others) is a step in the right direction.
There are plenty of good jokes, one-liners, and laugh-out-loud moments. Props must be given to the voice actors, as well. Particularly noteworthy are those playing new characters—Oldman as the menacing yet tragic villain, and Michelle Yeoh as a soothsaying, scene-stealing goat.
