Kung Fu Panda 2 takes advantage of the same techniques that made its predecessor successful: a goofy main character desperately struggling to fit in; comic character designs and playful animation; and a cast of stellar voice actors with such recognizable articulation that they cross the visual barrier of their alter egos in 3D. Although the first film defined the characters, their relationships, destinies, and the setting of ancient Asia, this second outing has the opportunity to use each role purely for action, adventure, comic relief, and even a bit of pathos. Just when the sweetness rises to the point of being unbearable, the script makes enough sense to frustrate the rolling eyes (or tears if the manipulation worked) with very contrasting humor.
Po (Jack Black), the overweight panda, has been proclaimed the almighty “Dragon Warrior” and oversees China’s security with his band of capable companions, the Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Monkey (Jackie). Chan), Crane (David Cross) and Viper (Lucy Liu). While talking to his patient teacher Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) about finding inner peace, a band of bandit wolves loot a nearby city for metal objects, forcing Po to set off for a hasty rescue. As you will soon discover, the outcast peacock Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) has forged fire-breathing and metal-spitting cannons to take down all who stand in his way to world domination.
Whether the story has gotten more entertaining or not is debatable, especially considering that the plot is little more than a generic kung fu tale of good vs. good. evil, like the one found in almost every live-action martial arts movie in recent decades. While the main conflict is a ruthless overlord with an obedient army and destructive weaponry, the underlying discord is the vague memory of Po’s past and the desire to know who he is, how he ended up being the son of a goose, and what happened to his father. . real parents. Does Po need confidence or desire for revenge? Are your actions triggered by inner peace, as the movie insists on preaching, or by the powerful force that is adrenaline-pumping revenge?
Perhaps you are simply trying to be “hardcore” so that you can measure up to your peers. And if that’s the case, it’s a shame that much of your time is spent annoyingly thwarting reconnaissance, ambush, and rescue missions with your numbing defiance and awkward clumsiness. It’s sometimes funny how pathetic he is compared to his generally level-headed warrior counterparts, but it’s just as infuriating because he doesn’t have to learn the hard way that his reckless actions have consequences. This leads to invincibility exhibited by all parties, reducing the urgency and seriousness of each situation. Po is immune to injury and randomly shields himself from harm with an accidental frying pan, a lucky misstep, or a loose floorboard swinging up (like stepping on a rake) to block a throwing knife attack. Similarly, Crane avoids danger with a spastic flight, and Tigress has no excuses at all – she only suffers from scorched whiskers after taking a cannonball to the face. Gravity and physics also seem to completely evade the heroes, without participating in their unlikely escapes, though it makes creatively complex chase sequences more intense and spontaneous.