Better than the first, but that's not saying much.

Rating: 5/10 (13 June 2011)

I have mixed feelings for this film. A part of me thinks it was a fairly decent family film, but another part of me thinks that this was unfunny and mediocre.
First of all, the characters are very poorly developed (besides Po). Tigress only has a few lines in this sequel, Viper only has 3 or 4 lines, and Mantis barely speaks at all. Also, about 3/4 through the movie, we're introduced to 2 new characters named Master Croc and Master Rhino. What? Who are these guys. Then, Po says "(gasps) It's Master Croc and Master Rhino! One of the greatest martial artists of all time!". They don't get very much of a backstory. Master Croc and Master Rhino just randomly show up. Secondly, what kind of bothers me a little is that everyone keeps saying "Becuase of Shen (the villain), kung fu is DEAD, man." What?! That doesn't make any sense! Don't they know that they can pass it on from generation to generation?! Lastly, *SPOILER ALERT* Shen's "secret weapon" is a CANNON. Seriously? You couldn't come up with a more threatening and more frightening weapon? Honestly, why can't you just demolish it by going all Kung Fu on it? I mean, Po and everyone else had the chance to do so when they were standing next to it, but they didn't!
Also, the action scenes are just ridiculous. I mean, since when does Martial Arts gives you the power to roll a drop of water around your hand and throw back a cannonball after it is thrown to you? Also, when the characters fight the bad guys, they go super fast and then they start fighting someone else, and then someone else, and then someone else! It makes me very dizzy, and most of the time, I can't tell what's going on!
Thirdly, the jokes really aren't that funny. Some kids were laughing their heads off, but everyone else around 12 and above didn't even chuckle at this movie.
The thing that really bothers me is that Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2 is giving everyone the wrong idea. Martial Arts isn't all about the punching and kicking, it's about learning courage, perseverance, self-control, honor, and friendship and giving it to others, and this series does a TERRIBLE job at delivering that message!
Overall, it's a good movie for kids, but for everyone else, you may not like it.