KUNG FU PANDA 2
US, 2011, 91 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michel Yeoh, Danny Mc Bride, Dennis Hayesbert, Jean- Claude van Damme, Victor Garber.
Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson.
Kung Fu Panda entertained millions of children and adults, a large panda, fond of eating and a touch lazy, was transformed into an action hero, despite himself. Voiced in his characteristic American voice, he made Po the panda, a comic creation, listening to his master (Dustin Hoffman) and surrounded by his fellow action characters (voiced by Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross and Jackie Chan).
Well, they are all back. Certainly, the novelty has gone but, despite the hustle and bustle, this sequel lacks the oomph of the original. No particular reason to see it, except to form a re-acquaintance with the familiar names and places.
The addition this time is a villainous peacock, Shen, who defies his parents, is exiled and makes plans to become the Emperor of China. He has a squad of goons and is involved in stealing metal to melt and mould into weapons.
For the most part, this is Po trying to find out about his parents after he realises that Mr Ping is not his real father and the battle between Po and Shen, lots of shenanigans, of course, entertaining but not so memorable.
Gary Oldman is the voice of Shen and there are cameo voices from Michelle Yeoh, Jean Claude Van Damme, Danny McBride?, Dennis Haysbert, Victor Garber. My favourite is Po’s father, the noodle-making Mr Ping, the goose who adopted Po, voiced by James Hong, who is worried about Po learning about his past and greatly relieved when Po returns home.
1. The popularity of the original Kung Fu Panda? The Chinese locations, the characters, especially Po and his family? The range of friends and associates? Martial arts? The training from Master Shifu? The battles?
2. The reprising of this in the sequel? The continued appeal?
3. The animation, bright and colourful, the background locations, an atmosphere of China? The delineation of the characters? Po, his friends and the variety, the Peacock and his entourage?
4. The strength of the voice cast?
5. The action sequences, choreography of the battles? The musical score?
6. The introduction of the Peacock, his family, his ambitions, appearance, domination, travels, overcoming difficulties, building up of his following, claims?
7. The Peacock as the villain, tyrant, wanting domination? To make the weapons, the collecting of metals, the henchmen arriving at the time, the confiscations? The making of the weapons? Terrorising the people in the village?
8. Po, the details of his friends, their, styles, manner of speaking?
9. His father telling him that he was adopted, the effect on, Po, his memories, wanting to find his actual father? The devotion of Mr Ping? His gifts and sending Po on his way to battle?
10. Po and his sense of mission, training, Master Shifu, the encouragement?
11. The fight, the choreography and action? Po and his techniques, overcoming the Peacock?
12. His return, celebration – and the possibility of further adventures for Po and his discovery of his family and village?
