To save you a couple of dollars at the cinema this weekend, we’ll just cut to the chase and say that Kung Fu Panda 2 was not as funny as the first one.
Now the first Kung Fu Panda was not necessarily a masterpiece, but it did have it merits. It was smart, snarky and a definite improvement over previous Dreamworks films (I’m looking at you Bee Movie). Kung Fu Panda 2 seeks to duplicate the success of the first movie by upping the production value and going for an even more complex plot, but sadly falls short.
Jack Black returns as the voice of Po, the hilarious and heavyset panda who has mastered the ability of kung fu as the chosen Dragon Warrior. Black is simply made for the role of Po, holding back none of his comedic genius in voicing the ridiculously awesome panda. Po has finally taken his place as the leader of the Furious Five,which include Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), and Crane (David Cross). However, he finds his newly successful lifestyle is threatened by a vengeful white peacock Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) who has created an unstoppable weapon that threatens to destroy kung fu itself. Not to mention the looming presence of his mysteriously tragic past.
In its attempt to rise above its jokey premise, Kung Fu Panda 2 creates a darker storyline in which Po grapples with his identity while battling a foe from his past. The film gives off a very “chosen one” vibe, and in the process loses much of the scrappy humor that made the first movie so hilariously lovable. In the wake of the critical success of How to Train Your Dragon, it makes sense that Dreamworks is trying to vie for a more serious and respectable tone, but it’s still a long way from reaching Pixar’s level.
The animation in Kung Fu Panda 2 is admirable, especially with the calligraphy-style flashbacks and the extremely detailed settings. The action sequences are also very well-made and stunning to look at, if a bit fantastical. The fight scenes are definitely very sleek and clean, and though they may not match up to the adults’ jaded expectations, they are enough to inspire wonder in any child.
While Kung Fu Panda 2 is not necessarily humorless, the laughs are few and far in between. In its attempt to go for bigger and better, the movie gets weighed down by a heavy and cliched backstory and loses the underdog appeal it had in the first film. The talent of the star-studded cast and the beautiful animation can barely save the film from drowning in its dark and convoluted plot.
FINAL GRADE: B-
TRR MOVIE REVUE by Hoai-Tran Bui
I agree, I never laughed once in this film and I actually fell asleep half way through it, it was so boring and I have seen them a million times before fight scenes. A record for me because I do not fall asleep in the theatres ever ! A story line like this one that has been done before so much better by any other movie. The first Kung Fu Panda was great and hillariously funny !!!