WAMG’s Week of PANDA-Monium – Day 2: KUNG FU PANDA 2 – The Review & Prize Pack Giveaway

In Day 2 of WAMG’s Week of PANDA-monium, prepare yourself for the review of KUNG FU PANDA 2 and be sure to enter our contest for a chance to win an awesome Panda Prize Pack. Get ready for epicness when the film opens in two days – May 26th!

Review by Melissa Thompson. Screening At ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood. Saturday, May 21, 2011.

One of the better 3D animated films of late, KUNG FU PANDA 2 picks up where KUNG FU PANDA (2008) left off.

Having been named the Dragon Warrior of Kung Fu by Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Po (Jack Black) sets off with the Furious Five – Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu), and Crane (David Cross) to save China from the evil Master Shen (Gary Oldman), a once banished peacock who is bent on revenge and complete domination. At the same time, Po is on his own mission to find out who he is and where he came from, after realizing that Mr. Ping, the duck who raised him, is more than likely not his real father. Ping tells Po the sweet story of finding him as a cub in a radish crate and raising him as his own. But Po needs to know more.

After receiving advice from Master Shifu, Po hilariously searches not only for Master Shen but also for inner peace to resolve feelings about his past. He unknowingly encounters both at the same time. Upon confronting Master Shen, Po has a vision about his past and the fate of his parents and his entire village. Guided by a kind soothsayer sheep (Michelle Yeoh), Po learns the truth about the bravery and sacrifice of his parents and the strength they passed on to him – the strength he will need to go after Master Shen and save China.

Overall, KUNG FU PANDA 2 was a lot of fun and had a very touching story about family and friendship. With a 90-minute running time, it did feel a little long in parts, especially some of the battle sequences that began to feel repetitive by the end. With a fierce score by Hans Zimmer and John Powell, the opening sequence is beautiful and has the feel of old hand-drawn animation.

The only thing that would have made this better would be more of the Furious Five. Despite the big names and clever dialogue, Lui, Cross and Chan are disappointingly underused. Having said that, Jack Black brings his usual boisterous charm and gives Po not only his voice, but his heart. A great movie for the entire family, one can only hope for a Kung Fu Panda 3.

The film has been rated PG for sequences of martial arts action and mild violence by the MPAA.

Kung Fu Giveaway time! After watching the trailer above, who are the Furious Five battling?

• Lord Shen
• Lord Croc
• Lord Rhino

– OFFICIAL RULES:

1. ENTER YOUR ANSWER, FILL OUT YOUR REAL NAME (at least real first and last initial) AND E-MAIL ADDRESS BELOW.

2. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT WITH A US ADDRESS. Prizes will not be shipped outside of the US.

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PRIZES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.

KUNG FU PANDA 2 will be in theaters on Thursday, May 26, 2011. Visit the film’s official site: www.kungfupanda.com. “Like” it on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kungfupanda.