Excellent follow-up

Rating: 8/10 (10 June 2013)

I always seem to underestimate the Kung Fu Panda movies. I wasn't that excited to see the first one, because I expected it to be too dopey and silly, but it was an excellent film. But when the sequel came out, I didn't have much interest in seeing it because so often sequels aren't very good. Once again, I was wrong.
Since the plot of the first movie was, klutz who learns to be spectacular, the writers had a choice between trying to recreate that, as some writers do (either by introducing a new klutz character or by somehow reducing the star), but this movie takes the more intelligent approach of continuing the character arc. Po is still a goofy panda, but he is also a fantastic fighter who along with his fellow animals is immediately shown in impressive, exciting action.
The animation is terrific, with humorous fights and foreboding enemy strongholds. The bad guy is appropriately nasty and quick, and the movie tosses in quick, never soggy moments of emotion.
I will be less hesitant to watch the next film in the series.