Title: Kung Fu Panda 2 Director: Jennifer Yun Nelson Starring: Jack Black Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Studio: Dreamworks Animation Genre(s): Action Rated:       (For sequences of martial arts action and mild violence)

CONSUMER ADVICE

Parents, this is a little bit darker than the previous film, with more violent fight sequences. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

A few years ago Dreamworks released the original “Kung Fu Panda,” a martial arts animated film that was a surprise hit because it had great characters, a good story, and excellent action sequences. It was one of those tribute movies that pays homage to a particular genre of film, only to become a good movie within that genre itself. After it became a surprise hit, studio head Jeffery Katzenberg announced that there would be five more films in the series, all leading up to a larger arc. Sounds like a good idea, but then, this was the same guy who insisted that the Shrek movies were all leading to something big (they weren't...though that's not to say the movies weren't entertaining in and of themselves).

“Kung Fu Panda 2” begins shortly after the previous film left off with Po (Jack Black, still in one of his best roles to date) having become the Dragon Warrior. After defeating Tai Lung, the Furious Five have now accepted him as one of their own and they all fight as equals. This is going to be challenged though because there is a new villain on the lose: Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), a silver peacock who has mechanical legs and rather sharp feathers. He has serious kung fu skills and built in weapons that make him cool. What's more, he's created a cannon that can actually kill mighty warriors with one shot (and is tested early on...you know, just in case we didn't think he was serious). Po's master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman, in what is strangely enough the best role he's landed in a long time) informs Po that he must now save kung fu.

Of course this is all standard stuff. While not a retread of the original film, this in and of itself wouldn't make the film stand out. What stands out is that Katzenberg may have had a point: This film builds on elements from the previous film and drops hints at bigger things to come. It's not a retread, it's the next chapter in a story. Many of the characters here are continuing the story arcs they started in the first film. Some of the characters evolve. Tigress (Angelina Jolie) was the tough warrior with a heart of stone in the first film. Here she is still hard, but she might be softening up to Po. It's subtle, but it's very effective. There is also a moment where Po realizes his father duck actually adopted him (Gee, big surprise there), and now longs to find his parents. Whether he does or not, I leave for you to discover, but the resolution is a bit bold for a family film.

Then we have the action sequences. The action sequences that helped make the first film a surprise hit are back and bigger than before. Now in 3D, the action is more involving than ever, and it actually makes some of the action scenes from some of this years early action films look weak in comparison. In fact, let's compare the action in “Kung Fu Panda 2” to that of last weeks major release “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” In 'Pirates' the action is set mostly in dark places, with 3D that doesn't add any real depth to the scenes, and quick shots that are jumbled and confusing. In this film the scenes are dark but color. The 3D is involving. The camera uses long shots so you can see what is going on most of the time. Call me crazy, but why did this supposed epic pirate movie fail to do what the animated film about the martial arts panda did so well?

Never mind. The film is also being released in IMAX 3D in some international territories. You have no idea how much I wish I could have seen this on that giant screen over the pathetic pirate film. “Kung Fu Panda 2” was directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson. This also makes “Kung Fu Panda 2” a surprisingly important film in movie history, for this is the first film where a female director has solely directed a major American animated feature. She has a eye for visuals and action sequences to be sure, but more surprising is that she finds the heart and soul in these characters that other directors might not have. If this is her first solo effort, then she's got potential to be one of the greats, and is worth keeping an eye on. As for “Kung Fu Panda 2” it's an easy recommendation for it's involving story, great characters, and clever use of 3D in the already spectacular action sequences.

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