Aw, bless their greedy little hearts, they didn’t plan on this. This happens sometimes. Not often. It is clear, however, from the plot of Kung Fu Panda 2 that the producers of the original did not anticipate a sequel. Hard to believe, I know. Instead they did what writers and producers do sometimes, they cash in by coming up with whatever little scraps of leftover plot they can scrounge from the first. In this case, we learn more about Po’s orphan status and something about balances of nature. Good luck with the take home message.
Then Kung Fu Panda 2 become one of the first 500 films ever to introduce the idea that the Chinese invented fireworks. Well, balance of nature isn’t gonna get it done, conflict-wise. Ask Karate Kid 2; it tried to pull that crap and then realize the film still needed a villain.
So Po (Jack Black) gets together with his new best buds, all of whom are in slightly better shape for some reason, and they confront the new evil: Gary Oldman. Whatchagonnado? Ian McShane showed up to terrorize Pirates this summer. Kung fu will be had. You can’t really hate a film with the line, “Ah, my old nemesis — stairs.” In a way, this is exactly what you want in a cartoon – enjoyable and instantly forgettable. Oh sure, Jack Black and Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman show up and it turns out they did indeed have one memorable moment, and I just quoted it. Sorry for the spoiler, but let’s face it — the whole genre is about grown up cartoon animals doing kung fu; this hasn’t been new since Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Po the Panda remains the antipasto in the five-star restaurant of action heroes. He’ll catch your eye; he’s likable and will probably sit well in your stomach. Heck, he might even be the best part of the meal. But you didn’t come to the restaurant for pre-meal Po. And if you did, you’re in the wrong place.
Rated PG, 91 Minutes
D: Jennifer Yuh
W: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Genre: Cash in
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Your panda-lovin’ eight-year old
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: “Sequels suck!”
