Kung Fu Panda 2: movie review

( PG ) ( Monitor Movie Guide )

'Kung Fu Panda 2' delivers fast-paced 3-D adventure as Po wisecracks his way to inner peace.

|
DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures/AP
In this film publicity image released by Paramount Pictures, Po, voiced by Jack Black, is shown in a scene from "Kung Fu Panda 2."

Kung Fu Panda 2” is somewhat better than its predecessor, though not quite good enough to warrant what threatens to be, according DreamWorks Animation, another three installments in the franchise.

Dream Warrior panda Po (voiced by Jack Black) is now older and marginally wiser, though no less wisecracking. Along with his Furious Five – Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu), and Crane (David Cross) – he is having a high old time protecting the Valley of Peace. Maybe they should team up with the Fast Five and combine franchises?

A new nemesis intrudes: Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), who wants to take over China with an “unstoppable” new weapon. In the course of stopping the unstoppable, Po’s search for his real father yields some dewy-eyed dividends.

For a movie touting “inner peace,” this 3-D sequel sure goes in for its share of battle scenes, but for the most part they are excitingly conceived by director Jennifer Yuh Nelson and her writers, Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger.

“Kung Fu Panda 2” premièred at Cannes, where Dustin Hoffman, who once again voices a wise old guru, was quoted as saying, “There is no inner peace in Cannes.” Wise man indeed. Grade: B (Rated PG for sequences of martial arts action and mild violence.)

You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to Kung Fu Panda 2: movie review
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2011/0526/Kung-Fu-Panda-2-movie-review
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us