A Fight for Identity

Rating: 8/10 (7 May 2015)

In what was a sequel to the successful 2008 movie known as Kung Fu Panda, the titular panda must fight not only to save China, but to find out who he truly is. This becomes easier said then done through a series of kung fu mishaps that provides some laughs. It also provides a story surprisingly darker than the first, but it's exactly the plot's darker turn that gives it more depth.
The first film shows Po, the panda, being raised by a goose. It's obvious they're not really related, but we don't really don't touch base with that until this film. It's in no way, shape, or form a new concept, but I get why it took 2 films to explain such deep roots about what happened to his parents. Furthermore, I get how Po got to where he was, from the attack on his birth village to being raised by a goose to becoming a kung fu warrior. It all works in Po's favor and makes me care for Po. This will mean that whatever happens next, Po is past character development. He is fleshed out and he becomes a very likable protagonist and hero.
I can't say the same for anyone else. I still care nothing for any of the Furious 5. Maybe the spin-offs might give more tiny details, but since I don't watch those, I am forced to look only at the context of the movie. Other than Tigress, the Furious 5 were pretty much nonexistent for me in the film, and even with Tigress, who Angelina Jolie again lends her voice to, I only see her tough persona turning into a kind of mother figure that has been done before and/or better. Master Shifu is a fine supporting character, but I won't remember his right away either, and neither will I be too quick to remember most of the rest of the cast.
The villain is really unlikable, which is good since I end up rooting for Po that much more. That being said, he does have a story of his own and it adds to the plot to give it purpose. Because of this, it makes his fights against Po that much more meaningful.
The character animation stays true to its predecessor, but the flashback animations is nothing to scoff at either. Babies are supposed to be cute, and baby pandas are no exception to the rule. Thankfully this was remembered when creating the final product and it not only made Po look adorable as a panda cub, but gave this new side of its animation flesh when mixing with the darker parts of the story. In turn, this movie explains a lot of the Kung Fu Panda universe, making it not just an obligatory movie sequel to rake in cash, but also necessary to really get what Kung Fu Panda is about.
Overall, despite feeling left behind with some of the characters, this movie works in ways it needs to and I am satisfied with the result. A great film for families who live a more comedic lifestyle, but also want more understanding in relation to the characters.