I love Kung Fu!!!

Rating: 9/10 (2 June 2011)

Star Wars. X-Men. Indiana Jones. Lord of the Rings. Kung Fu Panda. What do all these things have in common? Well probably a lot of things, actually. But here is my point. All of the first films in these franchises were good, if not great, films. But it doesn't end there. Also, in all of these films, the actors came back, having grown into their characters, and delivered a second film that was not only up to par with the first, but also delivered something extra. Story and emotion. In all of these film franchises, the second film carries a powerful message, and strong emotion. Luke and Vader's relationship becomes clear. Wolverine learns of his past. Indy has his life saved by the least likely person imaginable. A small army of men put their lives literally on the line at Helm's Deep to fight the forces of evil.
Kung Fu Panda 2 is no different. I love Kung Fu Panda. It is one of my favourite films. So I was excited and nervous for the second instalment.
With the 3 year break between 1 and 2, Po has become a much more talented Kung Fu warrior. He can actually fight now! The Furious Five + Po fight together as a group, really for the first time in this film. They set out to stop Lord Shen from destroying the world of Kung Fu, along with all it's Masters.
Along the way, in order to find Inner Peace, Po must face his past, learn about himself, and his real parents, and decide who he really is. Is he just a Panda? Or is he the last Panda, who's destiny it is to save China, so that he can go home and cook some noodles? I thought that the villain in this film, the Peacock Lord Shen, was a great choice. Gary Oldman did a superb job bringing this character to life. I even thought he was a little scary. He had this really creepy feel about him, that, coupled with his apparent heartlessness, made him a force to be reckoned with, and a bad guy to be remembered.
A lot more focus is also put on the returning characters, minus Master Shifu. He is somewhat absent for most of the film, but returns when he is most needed. I would say that the dialogue that the Furious Five had in the first film, is almost doubled, if not more, in the second film.
The new cast for this film is great. Star studded, but not over the top. This is a great film. I loved it. And just like all of the previously mentioned film series', I can not wait to see what the third Kung Fu Panda will bring to us. And there will be a third. Ski-doosh.