Nine, count them, nine sequels have been released this year, so far, and not too many of them have been great with the exception of Scream 4 and Fast Five. I think Kung Fu Panda 2 qualifies in those ranks. Kung Fu Panda 2 takes place right after the first. Po is “training”, trying to fit 40 dumplings in his mouth. The film opens up with the legend of Shen, a peacock whose fortune was he would be defeated by a foe who is black and white. Shen then leads his army of wolves to kill China’s panda population. When Shen returns to his village, his family banishes him for such an evil deed. Shen goes into exile, stealing metal from shop-owners to create a kung-fu killing cannon turret. Po must defeat Shen while learning the peace within himself as well as learning the truth about his family. The film isn’t as good as the first film but it is as entertaining with some of the coolest action sequences of the year, superior to that of Thor if you can believe that. Kung Fu Panda 2 does its job of making you laugh and entertaining you. Jack Black owns the character of Po and Gary Oldman is great as the voice of Shen. Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, David Cross, and Lucy Liu bring enjoyment with little quips here and there. Angelina Jolie’s character, Tigress, has a bigger role than in the last film as Po’s friend who helps him along his journey. There isn’t much wrong with this film but the story does drag and does hurt the film because it does run at 94 minutes. The ending is great, especially the cliffhanger for a third film, which, personally, I am excited for.
3 1/2 Wuxi finger holds out of 5.
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