Kung Fu Panda II

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Kung Fu Panda II.

Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson.

Written by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger. 

Review #121

MPAA Rating: PG for sequences of martial arts action and mild violence.

Runtime: 90 min

Cast

Jack Black - Po

Dustin Hoffman - Shifu

Jackie Chan - Monkey

Lucy Liu - Viper 

David Cross - Crane

Angelina Jolie - Tigress

Seth Rogen - Mantis

James Hong - Mr. Ping

Gary Oldman - Lord Shen

Jean-Claude Van Damme - Master Croc

Michelle Yeoh - The Soothsayer

Dennis Haysbert - Master Oxen

Victor Garber - Master Thundering Rhino


Sequels are in a word enigmatic. They follow one of several categories.

1) They suck (that's webster's term....not mine)

2) They are passable. No new ground is broken. The story just moves laterally with no fresh outlook.

3) They supersede the original. On every level, the new film takes what the first one accomplished and establishes a higher standard.

Kung Fu Panda II hands down, undoubtedly and unequivocally falls into category #3!!!



Plot


Po along with the furious five joins forces with a group of new kung fu masters to take on an old enemy with a deadly new weapon. 

From the start, Kung Fu Panda II hits you in the face with well crafted updated story. Po is still training but has the respect and loyalty of the five. His skills are also on full display here. This was a VERY NICE touch. It's very easy to just pick up right after the first film. Po could still be a bumbling panda trying to understand his new found abilities. Instead he's a full fledged fighter that can handle himself and work well in tandem with the five.

The action here is plentiful and superb. Each member of the five get a chance to showcase their skills with Po standing out at the forefront. The villains also have their moments. If you ever wondered how a peacock could be dangerous. Look no further. Lord Shen though not imposing by sight was a real bad ass. In fact he felt like a more convincing villain than Tai Lung (the snow leopard from Kung Fu Panda)

Of course as we all know, a martial arts film is known for it's great action. Having said that, it doesn't fall into a full blown film unless there's an acceptable story to accompany it. Just like it's predecessor, Kung Fu Panda II has that. If you read the plot then you just got a taste of what's in store. And I mean a taste. there's so much else to enjoy and explore here that it just tops everything the first film gave us. The ending was especially satisfying because of what you see. As always, the story is amplified by the ALL STAR cast. New additions Gary Oldman, Dennis Haysbert and Jean Claude Van Damme add a terrific complement to the already super group of talent led by Jack Black.

I would love to go on about this but you all need to just see it. Just like any martial art, the student if trained well will become better than the teacher.

That's EXACTLY what you have here.

On the 5 star scale. Kung Fu Panda II gets the full house 5 stars with a RESOUNDING! "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is The Hangover Part II.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"