Kung Fu Panda 2: Review By Diaigma

May 27th, 2011 by Diaigma
Substituting belly-laughs for an extra helping of heart, Dreamworks has made good on their promise, making Kung Fu Panda 2 a winning sequel that's equally on par with the original, and pulls off an unprecedented achievement in animated storytelling.
  • OVERALL
    4.5
    SUPERB
  • Story
  • Acting
  • Directing
  • Visuals
"I'm Po, and I'm going to need a hat." - Po

Before the end of 2010, Katzenberg (CEO of Dreamworks Animation) revealed an extensive lineup for the studio's future, including the unexpected announcement of producing a total of six - count them - SIX Kung Fu Panda films. This sent the movie-going community abuzz, matched with skepticism and surprising backlash. I stayed optimistic, watchful to see if their other statement ("we've learned our lesson from Shrek") would come to fruition. It has, my friends, and this timely harvest is bounteous and growing with a 3D accent that had no problem evoking my inner peace. Substituting belly-laughs for an extra helping of heart, Dreamworks has made good on their promise, making Kung Fu Panda 2 a winning sequel that's equally on par with the original, and pulls off an unprecedented achievement in animated storytelling.

Life isn't easy as the Dragon Warrior, swarmed by adoring fans in the Valley of Peace, but in the middle of battle, Po has a vision that knocks him for a loop - literally; himself, as a baby, among pandas? Having a duck for a father makes sense now, but it leaves Po without an identity. There's no time to reflect on the past, however, since a villainous peac*ck has developed a weapon that can destroy Kung Fu! Po's quest is to demolish it, aided by his fellow Furious Five, but Lord Shen knows something that Po doesn't - where he came from. Will Po find inner peace and save Kung Fu, or will he let Lord Shen shatter his soul?

Like its predecessor, the film starts with a distinct introduction (more of a prologue in this case) delivered with the physics of paper puppets that set the stage for the following 90 minutes. Every scene looks great, texturally improved since the last adventure. Zimmer and Powell return for the score in harmonic form, composing a retread of past notes.

Our voice actors are united and true to their characters once again, with the addition of spine-shivering Lord Shen, lent by the talents of Gary Oldman. There isn't as much humor as the first film, now that our clumsy Po has grown (wider) and mastered martial arts, but the story of his origins and how it unfolds more than makes up the difference. It's not just a little story anymore. It's part of a larger picture, the early stages of an epic, though this chapter could have omitted "The End" at the end and maybe used a better, less-utilized plot device than "separation" to create tension in the middle.

All the qualities of a satisfying movie-going experience can be found here, and it's for all ages, if the perma-smile on my face throughout the entire runtime is of any indication. There's humor, cuteness, empathy, firepower (do I suspect a hint of romance?), and a pleasant ending that you will not expect. Speaking of ending, I applaud Dreamworks for their guts on ending an animated feature with a cliffhanger. That's right - a cliffhanger, and a pleasant one! This has never before happened in the history of American animated cinema. The story is not over. There's more to come. The animated sequel has officially left the scene with Kung Fu Panda 2, giving way - at long last - to the first animated saga!

This May has already redeemed the disappointment of last summer, and Kung Fu Panda 2 is the side dish that you want to eat first. The true disappointment is that we'll have to wait three years for another serving.

3kadoosh? I'm freak'en . . . IN!

***

Rated PG: for sequences of martial arts action and mild violence

Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Runtime: 92 minutes

(By Movieweb's Diaigma: resemblance to other reviews is coincidental)

Do you like this review?

Comments (27)

  1. Summit10

    very nice review Sir, i even applauded Gary Oldman how he instinctly makes an Asian voice flawless and as he gives someone a cold Stare while he makes a point! Inner peace made this film Awesome! Great job :)

    11 months agoby @summit10Flag

  2. Forrestgump1

    Outstanding Review sir :) i'm glad to see this is just as good as the original cause i loved Kung Fu Panda .. but your review has set me straight can't wait to see it my man!.

    12 months agoby @forrestgump1Flag

  3. slysnide

    @diaigma: Yeah I recall that Pixar was George Lucas' attempt at an animation company, but he wasn't interested in animated films, so he sold it to Jobs at Apple. Pixar's first major film though came in 1995. And "Antz:" was like, '98 I think? I saw some doc*mentary called "The Pixar Story" which was on the "WALL-E" triple disc dvd. I just couldn't recall if Pixar financed their own films, as I know Disney distributes. Then that attempt at splitting Disney/Pixar in 2005. Man that was another one of Eisner's major blows to Disney, but at least that didn't come through, as I doubt Pixar would go on as successfully without it. For if they could afford it, then I'd imagine a split with Disney to be totally solo would be preferred. Thanks for clearing up the Dreamworks thing. I knew Katzenberg helped start it with Spielberg & Geffen, but couldn't recall the year. I just llook forward to the end of the sequels and bringing back the originals. "Cars 2" looks alright though.

    12 months agoby @slysnideFlag

  4. Daveactor7

    The only dreamworks films that i love watching again the first and second time are HTTYD and Shrek that is all :) but I read your review again and its terrific going on my list sir!

    12 months agoby @daveactor7Flag

  5. Diaigma

    @daveactor7 - if it means anything, I enjoyed it more the second time. Maybe it'll have the same effect on you?

    12 months agoby @diaigmaFlag

  6. Daveactor7

    Good review :D i didnt really think the same though Id give it a 3 :/ I was let down a bit but nonetheless great points!

    12 months agoby @daveactor7Flag

  7. Diaigma

    @slysnide - Pixar is older, actually, owned by Lucasfilm under a different name until Apple bought it. Lasseter also had a falling out with Disney and went to head Pixar. Unlike Katzenberg, he embraced Disney's buyout and creative directer invitation. If that interview of him talking about Cars 2 with a Hawaiian Cars shirt and Cars 2 merchandise stacked behind him is of any indication, I wouldn't be surprised if all that "creative power" has gone to his head. Cars 2 looks like a passion project (something he really wants to do but no one is saying anything contrary because, you know . . . he's the boss).

    Katzenberg's falling out led to his co-foundership of Dreamworks, but Dreamworks Animation didn't pick up until later, leasing its debut, Antz, the month before A Bug's Life (two animated movies about ants in the same year, hmm).

    They have two facilities. Glendale and Redwood, Cali. Glendale was a short drive away growing up. Nice place :P

    12 months agoby @diaigmaFlag

  8. slysnide

    @diaigma: Thanks. That's good to hear. The last thing I'd wanna hear from Dreamwork's is that they're turning into a runaway sequel facility like Pixar! :P

    Hmm, I should pay attention to them more though. I hadn't realized they kept 2 out a year through '09, and 3 in '10. I've seen most of them, but just hadn't kept track of their release years.

    And Katzenberg managed all of those classics? Wow. I can't believe Eisner fired him either. But then again, Eisner plowed Disney into the ground and was the second CEO to be ousted by Roy Disney Jr. Maybe Bob Iger would've kept him around. I haven't been paying much attention to him, but I know he laid off around 400 managers at Disney World in '09 cuz they were vastly overstaffed in terms of not needing that many managers. Too bad Roy isn't around anymore to give his stamp of approval or begin a campaign of disapproval so the shareholders know what to pay attention to. lolz

    Pixar however finances their own films right? Dreamworks has been around longer, and I think is a bigger company right? In terms of their staff and how much they can tackle at once. Pixar has at least three or four at a time so they can maintain a release every year. But their HQ in Emeryville is also their only facility. Doesn't Dreamworks have more? Or at least bigger complexes with a ton of extra money to handle that at the start given the executives who founded the company

    12 months agoby @slysnideFlag

  9. Diaigma

    @slysnide - meh. If it works, it works. Tropes have their place in storytelling. It worked for Panda 2, but it sucked for I Am Number Four :P

    You've hit a HUGE topic. Speaking of simultaneous, that's EXACTLY their game plan! So far, Pixar has released only one film a year since 2006. They've also been the most costly. Dreamworks has released two each year since 2006 (with smaller budgets), with 2010 being the exception (releasing three). Sure, TS3 made a billion, but Dragon, Shrek 4, and Megamind together earned almost 1.6 billion. If you do the math, Dreamworks outgrossed Pixar in the B.O. last year. That's their game plan. Eisner shouldn't have forced Katzenberg to resign, eh? I mean, he only helped manage Roger Rabbit, Mermaid, Beast, Aladdin and Lion King, after all. What were they thinking? That's karma :P

    As for not having anything original in 12 years, I'll settle that issue. They've got A LOT going on. In 2013, they'll release three films again, no sequels. In 2014, they'll make history again with FOUR animated releases (Dragon 2 being the only sequel). They also have over a dozen non-sequels in development right now. Katzenberg's team is huge and the numbers will win in the long run (so long as the productions continue to be (for better sense of the word) awesome!).

    @wichitagalzl, @azador, @narrator - thanks guys! Glad you liked it, Park, and hope you like it Wichy, Narrator :)

    1 year agoby @diaigmaFlag

  10. Wichy

    Great job @diaigma I can't wait to check this out!! Gotta get to the theatre soon :P

    1 year agoby @wichitagalzlFlag

  11. ParkWilliams

    @diaigma Was just at the matinee this afternoon and I agree entirely. Greatest use of dramatic irony I've seen in an animated film. Great review. I can't wait for the next chapter.

    1 year agoby @azadorFlag

  12. slysnide

    There they go again, using the HB2 style of prologue storytelling. Used again in HP7.1. I wonder where it will show up again?

    Nice one as always @diaigma. I however am a bit bemused at the notion of 6 panda films. Dreamworks is very creative, and doesn't chalk out several of their films simultaneously. Hence we may not see anything original for 12yrs if they continue at the 3yr release rate. I mean sure, there'd be a few films in between, but presuming this franchise will remain as summer releases. Then it could be that long till we get another "summer worthy" release. For animated films are an ardous process. Sounds like Katzenberg is going for broke. Especially since he doesn't even have the weekend release numbers yet. Only a few critical reviews.

    1 year agoby @slysnideFlag

  13. The Narrator: The Better Man

    Nice review, D! I'm seeing this Sunday, so I hope it delivers as well as you say. :)

    1 year agoby @narratorFlag

  14. Diaigma

    @jptheredskull - sorry, man. It's hard to recall all my readers. I'll remember to include you next time.

    @moviegeek - I'm just awesome like that :P

    @corey - something has to top Shrek's record.

    As aways, thanks for reading and your support :)

    1 year agoby @diaigmaFlag

  15. J.P.

    @diaigma Great review but I feel left out because you didn't message me.

    1 year agoby @jptheredskullFlag

  16. Corey

    @dan1 I think it'll pan out for about 4 movies. 6 is a bit much. 6 movie franchises are never all perfect.

    1 year agoby @coreyFlag

  17. Dan

    @diaigma Cliffhanger you say? Intriguing. Most intriguing. It sounds like the 6 movie idea will actually pan out. Damn impressive.

    Oh, impressive review as per usual, too.

    1 year agoby @dan1Flag

  18. Worth5Bucks

    @ejk1 lol

    1 year agoby @mattbierwagenFlag

  19. ejk1

    Great review, D. I will definitely catch this on Blu-Ray. I have to sacrifice seeing some films for the greater good.

    1 year agoby @ejk1Flag

  20. moviegeek

    Dude I thought the other one was a review of the second :P Fail. I just saw this today. I was quite impressed. Not quite as good as the original though. The original had more arc and the characters were more balanced. The original was also funnier. But a very worthy sequel.

    Haha! That's hysterical! I give the original 5.0 and the sequel 4.0! :D Why can't you just agree!?

    1 year agoby @moviegeekFlag

  21. Worth5Bucks

    @diaigma ill read this when i see it, but im sure its a great review

    1 year agoby @mattbierwagenFlag

  22. Corey

    @diaigma Great review man. Watched the first one today. It was pretty good. :) Seeing this one on Saturday and looking damn forward to it!

    1 year agoby @coreyFlag

  23. thedude-abides

    Great review. I may go see this in theaters since Tree of Life isn't wide release. Sounds like it's well worth it.

    1 year agoby @thedude-abidesFlag

  24. CUPID

    Great review man, always wanted to know why his father was a duck so that cool that were getting his origins. It does suck that we gotta wait another 3 years for the next one cause i'm sure am gonna like this one as well.

    1 year agoby @cupidFlag

  25. MovieWiz001

    Nice! I'll be seeing this maybe, sometime, next week.

    1 year agoby @moviewiz001Flag

  26. Bawnian©-Dexeus

    @diaigma Damn boss. I just got home from the movies. :D Great review.

    1 year agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag

  27. Diaigma

    @cupid @ghostman @moviegeek @forrestgump1 @insertusernamehere @ejk1 @daveactor7 @wichitagalzl @mattbierwagen @narrator @Ilikepie202 @bawnian-dexeus @jakn @Zak-F @slysnide @jayaottley @moviewiz001 @moviefreak97 @bryanyentz @skywise @thedude-abides @comicbookfan @brian @corey @lane1 @dan1 - Panda 2 review up for discernment, and what a secret it holds! :P

    1 year agoby @diaigmaFlag