Kung
Fu Panda 2
The Hangover
Part II is not the only sequel
taking a bow this Memorial Day weekend, but this movie might be the
better of the two.
In this animated film, Jack Black is back as the voice of Po - a
lovably awkward, sometimes clumsy panda who turns out to be a much
prophesized Kung Fu master. After saving his town in the first movie,
Po has to kick it up a notch and save all of China from an evil
mastermind, Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), who has developed a weapon that
can defeat Kung Fu!
Will the Kung Fu Panda be able to win a battle without Kung Fu?
Can Po overcome the shocking truth he discovers about his origins and
family?
Kung Fu Panda
2 is just as fun, entertaining,
goofy and lovable as the first one, with an additional depth that
adults will love. Writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger never lose
sight of what kids want as Po still bumbles along, makes us laugh at
his kookiness and has the eager enthusiasm of an 8-year old (which
usually gets him in trouble). They even give our favorite panda a
chance to deal with new found fame and adulation, which he still can't
face without a little embarrassment and lack of the right words to say.
Plus, Black fills Po with an infectious joy that makes the audience
love him, which also comes in handy when our hero faces a deep inner
turmoil. It is a plot we can all see coming from a mile away, and it
has been done millions of times before, but Po, thanks to Black, the
writing team and director Jennifer Yuh, is a character beloved by the
audience, and each member feels an emotional bond that causes real
reactions as you sit there watching a couple tears fall into your
popcorn.
Some younger kids might be scared by the, ummm, Bambi moment in the
movie, so be careful of that. Also, the two plotlines about Po seeking
the truth about his beginnings and the need to defeat Lord Shen need to
be melded together much better. It's almost there, but Yuh and the team
need to make a better connection.
Yes, I am nitpicking a bit. Kung
Fu Panda 2 is my favorite
animated movie of the year, so far.
Kung
Fu Panda 2 is rated PG for sequences of martial arts action and mild
violence.
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