Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
Certified: U
Duration: 91 minutes
Directed by: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Voices of: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme
KRS release
The first Kung Fu Panda was a fresh animated feature, bright and dazzling and filled with characters that were simply fun. This time around the audience might think it knows what to expect, yet the production team has decided to pull the carpet from under the audience’s feet by upping the ante in the animation stakes and really deliver a gorgeous looking film.
It is also interesting to note that this is one of the rare blockbuster Hollywood animated features (not sure if this is a first) which is directed by a woman and an Asian American at that. In fact, Jennifer Yuh Nelson makes her feature film directing debut having previously worked as storyboard artist on Spirit and Madagascar among other films. She had also supervised the story of the first film and directed the opening sequence.
After becoming the fabled Dragon Warrior, Po (Jack Black) has become quite a staunch defender of the weak and has gone off on many adventures. He is now accompanied by the team he used to be a fan of – The Furious Five – Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Crane (David Cross) and Mantis (Seth Rogen). Still not at peace with himself, Po discovers that he still needs the wise counsel of Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). Po is thrown for a loop when his father (James Hong) reveals that he was an adopted Panda and that no one knows who his parents are.
Po will soon have to face the peril that is sweeping over China. Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), a vain and greedy peacock is sweeping all before him as his craving for power knows no limits. Shen had already tried to transform fireworks into deadly weaponry and he now is intent on bringing destruction to all corners of China. Po will soon have to face him and also come to terms with his past. At the same time he will have to test the extent of his kung fu knowledge as he battles what was made to destroy kung fu.
To the film’s benefit, the sequel keeps the warmth and fun factor that was present in the first film. It also keeps the same slapstick attitude and pays homage to martial arts films while increasing the attention given to the characters, adding to their range of emotion. This is one Chinese visual platter that works wonders.
Po is still a fun guy, and voiced by Jack Black he is quite lovable, goofy and quite hilarious. Po is actually more interesting in the quiet moments rather than in the Hong Kong-fooey style action sequences. It’s to Jack Black’s merit that as a voice actor he brings the energy to screen but leaves behind the sometimes overdone exaggerations that characterise his comedic style. Angelina Jolie’s voicing gives quite a few shades to Tigress and the chemistry between her and Jack Black is very fluid. Gary Oldman really immerses himself in his channelling of his voice, making his Lord Shen quite an evil figure to behold.
Propelled forward by a Hans Zimmer musical score that really brings a lot of energy to the film, Kung Fu Panda 2 is both a pastiche and an homage to the classic B-movies of the martial arts genre.
The second time round, the franchise opts for an increase in the action stakes which is understandable as the character of Po has been well introduced to us from the first instalment. Also for a picture focusing on talking animals, the problems and issues that they deal with are quite dark and human. The film thus shows that the franchise and its characters are maturing as much as the audience.
The story’s master touch is the balance between the dark and serious, the action and the goofy humour.