Film Review: KUNG FU PANDA 2 (in 3D)

Voices: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Gary Oldman, Dustin Hoffman, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme
Director: Jennifer Yuh

I was thrilled when my son Viggy told me that there were a couple of paid premiere shows for this film at Cinemax Sion. Both of us could catch the 3.45 pm show and get to see ‘His Awesomeness’ in action.

The Story: Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) is a white peacock who makes fireworks. His parents are the rulers of the kingdom and while they love their son, they don’t like the destruction his fireworks bring to everyone. Lord Shen leaves the palace when he is banished. This had been years ago. Cut to the present, Po (Jack Black) and his cohorts, the Furious Five including Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Crane (David Cross) and Viper (Lucy Liu) act as protectors for everyone. Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) tells them that Lord Shen has returned and taken over the palace after killing Thundering Rhino (Victor Garber). Lord Shen has also created a mammoth missile that could destroy the whole of China with fireworks. Will Po be equal to facing this evil peacock? Will he and the Furious Five be able to save the country from being destroyed completely?

My Perception: The sequel to Kung Fu Panda is as good as the first one, if not better. The animation in 3D is fantastic. The one and a half hour movie kept me gripped to my seat with the action and animation competing with one another for supremacy. The scenes are so well created that the viewer is transported to medieval China with the great detailing.

The dialogues were excellent with humour woven throughout as Po is portrayed as a buffoon who loves food. But the glutton also proves himself to be a great hero yet again.

I also enjoyed the couple of emotional scenes that were absolutely moving. I don’t want to say more than this so that I don’t give away the story.

This Trailer will clue you in to what you can expect

Verdict: A must see and there is no doubt about it.

Rating: ***** Super

* Silly
** Shaky
*** Smart
**** Snazzy
***** Super