"Kung Fu Panda 2" review by Chris Testa

The original "Kung Fu Panda" introduced us to Po (Jack Black), a martial arts obsessed Panda who wants to kick some butt himself. By the end of that movie he's become a legendary martial arts master, and is loved by all. The only way to make a successful sequel to such a grand movie is to raise the bar on the action and story.

"Kung Fu Panda 2" addresses an unanswered question from the first movie: how can a Panda be the son of a Goose? Po searches for the answer while battling Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), a Peacock who's trying to destroy Kung Fu and rule china. Po's life takes a turn as memories of a dark past creep into his mind. The Furious Five join him on his journey, but aside from Tigress (Angelina Jolie), they are only there to make the action more intense. The story isn't anything special, but it creates a solid framework for the amazing battles and ridiculous humor.

DreamWorks Animation has out done itself with the animation in "Kung Fu Panda 2" and reminds us that DreamWorks isn't just about money popping sequels. They actually care about the final product. The movie starts with an enchanting Chinese shadow puppet show that tells the tale of Lord Shen's past. It adds a historical feel that really draws you into the character’s past. Although the voice actors tell the story, the CG animation gives each character unique personalities. Po displays his childish nature in his unique fighting style, and it becomes clear that he can only become a true master by finding inner peace and controlling his appetite. Po's flashbacks are told with 2D animation that sometimes makes you wish the whole movie was that way.

The battles start early and escalate as the journey continues. The final fight pits Po against a small army, and it shows that he has grown into a true kung fu master. This brings us to the movie’s only major problem: the final shot. When Po's story is concluded, it feels like this would be the perfect moment to say goodbye to the characters. But at the very last second, one shot is thrown in just to hint at the coming sequel. DreamWorks has already mentioned four more movies and a TV series in the works, but "Kung Fu Panda 2" concludes Po's story, and adding a final shot feels like a slap in the face to his entire journey.

"Kung Fu Panda 2" doesn't do anything with story we haven't seen, but the animation and humor make this a unique experience for the whole family. If you enjoyed the first movie or are a fan of martial arts films, this is a must see.

I give it a "Furious Four" out of Five