Kung Fu Panda 2
Union Square Regal 14, June 23, 2011
Movie #37 for 2011
Po is a kung fu panda. An evil peacock prince has discovered firepower and will use it to destroy kung fu and take over all of China, unless Po and his kung fu friends can stop him. But can they do it? Cannons are impervious to kung fu and something about the peacock brings up memories of Po’s past that wig him out. What will happen?! Can the Kung-fu Panda prevail?! Of course he will, and although there’s no real tension or conflict in the film, it’s still a good ride to take.
The animation and direction handle action, humour and characterization with nice energy. The voice acting of GARY OLDMAN as the evil peacock is a knock out - he’s channeling Derek Jacobi like his life depends on it - and the rest of the voice cast are solid.
But there’s little here that wasn’t in the first Kung Fu Panda, and this time there is no sense of surprise at something so delightful - the freedom that animation brings to fight scenes and slapstick comedy are still used well, but in a way that is now familiar. It’s re-tread, but it’s still decent.
(One thing that I do truly appreciate about the character design is that the female characters are not buxom. Tigers and vipers are not stacked and, really, neither are super-fit lady kung fu fighters. It makes a seriously refreshing change.)
