Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Directed by: Jennifer Yuh | 90 minutes | action, animation, comedy, family | Original voice cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Gary Oldman, Seth Rogen, David Cross, Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dustin Hoffman, Lucy Liu, James Woods, Michelle Yeoh, James Hong, Victor Garber | Dutch voice cast: Edwin Evers, Rik Felderhof, Froukje de Both, Mark Rietman, Murth Mossel

The titanic battle between Disney/Pixar and DreamWorks as the most prestigious animation studio in Hollywood continues unabated. Film buffs will take full advantage of this, as both studios continue to produce better, more beautiful and more immersive films. In 2008 DreamWorks – as a counterpart to Pixar’s ‘WALL-E’ – released ‘Kung Fu Panda’, a film about a droll, sturdy panda bear who turns out to have an unprecedented Kung Fu talent. The film was a huge success and grossed no less than $630 million worldwide. A sequel was not long in coming. ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ (2011) will undoubtedly surpass or at least match the success of its predecessor. This dazzling DreamWorks production has everything you need for that. ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ is also more spectacular, more immersive and more colorful than its illustrious predecessor!

In the first film, we saw the panda Po (voice of Jack Black) become a Kung Fu grandmaster and join the Furious Five. Along with his friends Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross), all of whom are as proficient in Kung Fu as he is, Po tries the mystical Chinese to defend the kingdom. He manages reasonably well until the evil Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) appears on the scene. With the help of his army of ferocious wolves, he wants to seize power. Po of all people stands in his way. The panda discovers that the goose he’s always thought of as his father (James Hong) can’t be his father at all and wants to find out where he’s from. And just let Lord Shen know more about that. Once he gets Po on the trail, he does everything he can to take him out. Could it be because the mysterious Soothsayer (Michelle Yeoh) predicted years ago that he would be knocked out by a warrior in black and white?

‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ is all about ‘inner piece’. Po must find peace within himself, for only then will he be strong enough to defeat Lord Shen. The wise lessons of Mr. Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) help him on his way. The story in this second part is much more mature and ‘heavier’ than that of its predecessor. Especially the fact that Po goes in search of his origin gives the film an extra dimension, and also answers the question that has occupied many people since the first part: how can Mr. Ping, a goose who runs a noodle restaurant, how on earth would you father that huge panda bear? Director Jennifer Yuh gives her film extra shine by depicting memories and events from the past in a different, very beautiful animation style than the ‘present’. The animations are in any case of an excellent level. Colourful, dynamic and sparkling. The action scenes are dynamic and powerful. Of course, the audience is also treated to a good dose of humor. What makes this second part especially stronger than its predecessor is the fact that we become more emotionally involved with Po and his loved ones.

In addition, some new characters are also a hit. Actors like Dennis Haysbert and Jean-Claude van Damme were called upon to provide voices to old Kung Fu heroes, but their roles are limited. The real star of ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ is Lord Shen, an unsightly, pale-colored peacock with an extremely long neck, metal legs and a deadly plumage. Vicious, unreliable and megalomaniac, but somehow also tragic and pitiful. The versatile Gary Oldman provides him with an appropriately shrill, spine-chilling voice. The voice casting is great anyway, with a Jack Black on a roll and an excellent Dustin Hoffman. With ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’, DreamWorks delivers another very successful animation film, colorful and brimming with boundless energy, compelling and at times moving. Ideal family entertainment!