6. Kung Fu Panda 2 (Film)

KUNG FU PANDA 2 (DreamWorks Animation, 2011)

Directed by Jennifer Yuh

GENRE: Animated / Action / Adventure / Comedy

HONORS: N/A

REVIEW:

In this sequel to Kung Fu Panda, Po has become a Dragon Warrior alongside the Furious Five, protecting the Valley of Peace.  After having a flashback of his mother, Po goes to his goose father, Mr. Ping, and asks him about his history, learning only that he found Po as an infant and adopted him.  When Master Shifu gets word that Lord Shen has returned to take over Gongmen City with a weapon that overpowers kung fu, Po and the Furious Five set out to stop him.  After being captured, Po discovers that Lord Shen exterminated all of the pandas because of a prophecy that a black and white warrior would defeat him.  Once all of the Dragon Warriors escape, Shen’s soothsayer helps Po remember that his mother saved him by putting him in a crate near Mr. Ping’s restaurant before fleeing Shen’s forces.  Finding inner peace from the memory, Po must find it within himself to destroy the weapon and capture Shen before it is too late.

OPINION:

As a fan of the first film, I went into the theater hoping that the sequel would live up to its quality and humor.  The film does a fantastic job at elaborating on the story of the first film rather than rehashing Po’s journey toward kung fu.  In addition to sending the group on a new, exciting adventure, the film uses the improbability of Po having a goose for a father to its advantage, adding a sentimental storyline as Po realizes the sacrifices his birth parents made for him.  Even more touching is the scene where Po returns to Mr. Ping and reassures him that he is and always has been his dad.  Even with the emotional and exciting moments, the film’s greatest strength is its humor.  At my theater, the audience was filled with viewers of all ages and the jokes and gags in the film filled the whole theater with laughter.   While there will certainly be tweens that voice their dislike of animated films (particularly animated films about animals), Kung Fu Panda 2 practically has something in it for everyone.  

IDEAS:

This film would be a good addition to a library’s list for movie nights and it could be a part of a program for tweens to learn about kung fu, specifically interesting younger tweens.  Also, the film could be used in a library display of recommended animated movies.