An entertaining family film!

Rating: 9/10 (11 May 2012)

Kung Fu Panda was a critical and commercial success in 2008, making over $630 Million worldwide and was very popular in the lucrative Chinese and Asian markets. It was considered a return to form for Dreamworks and of course with all these factors a sequel was inevitable. And you know what, Kung Fu Panda 2 is just as good as the original.
In Gongmen City in ancient China the peacocks rule a peaceful and prosperous land and bring joy with their invention fireworks. But the heir to the throne Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) wants to use fireworks as a weapon to conquer China. A soothsayer (Michelle Yeoh) warns that Shen will be defended by a "black-and-white" warrior and he leads his army commit genocide (you know for kids) against the panda village. Yet one baby panda survives.
Po (Jack Black) continues as the Dragon Warrior and protects the Valley of Peace from bandits and pirates with the Furious Fives. But Shen returns to Gongmen City with a new weapon that can defend kung fu. As Po and co set out to stop the most powerful peacock imaginable Po stars to have memories of his past and wants to know what happened to him.
Kung Fu Panda 2 continues what works in the original film, excellent action sequences that are quick, fluid and easy to follow because of the camera movements which follows fights, lots of well done slapstick and visual gags and a few funny lines and clever plays. The story is a little darker then the original film but that is why it has a PG rating.
The animation is wonderful as you would expect from a Dreamworks production. The CGI is detailed from the hair, to the Chinese buildings and everything you can think of. It is a fast and fluid and some of the creations were very creative, particularly Shen with his eyebrows, his metal claws and use of small knives. Baby Po was a very cute. As well as the CGI Kung Fu Panda 2 has two other styles of animation, a very well made old fashioned paper animation for the prologue giving the start a story book look like the first two Shrek films and still very creative and the other was using traditional 2D animation for the flashbacks which is fitting for the setting and it is great to see director Jennifer Yuh Nelson incorporates these different styles into an entertaining action film.
The voice cast is solid as expect, the highlights being Black and Oldman. Black because of his earnest performance and being a natural comedian and Oldman because of his deadly sinister and serious delivery, making him a compelling, power-hungry villain.
Some have stated that the sequel follows the formula of the first film. Whilst the need to find inter-peace is similar to first film and the heroes have to stop a big lethal bad guy Kung Fu Panda 2 is more of an adventure as the heroes are forced on a journey and liberate a city. It is different enough to be its own adventure and felt like it actually continued the story. Lets hope Dreamworks does not stuff up the third film like they did with Shrek the Third.
Kung Fu Panda 2 is a very fun family film that is in keeping with its Chinese influences because of its art style and music and with the likes of How to Train Your Dragon shows what Dreamworks can do without the need to rely on pop-cultural references. It is a fast paced action film with plenty of jokes.
A solid 4 out of 5.