Kung Fu Panda 2

[Watashi]

Q1ftH73f3xg&

Cars 2 looks pathetic, but this is going to fill the animation slot for the summer quite nicely.

The first one was excellent. The sequel looks great too.

[Sven]

The toppling pagoda bit looks cool.

[Henry Gale]

Yeah, this willl probably be the one of the only times I plan to wait for the newest Pixar film and then see go to see a Dreamworks sequel opening weekend. Not that the trailer is that well put together (really, a Black Eyed Peas song from six years ago?), but some of the footage is definitely promising.

[TGM]

The first one was surprisingly good, and this looks really good based on the trailer so far as well. Looking forward to this now more than ever.

[Ivan Drago]

Mark Osborne isn't involved with it this time. Ehhh...

[Watashi]

This was amazing, amazing, amazing. They could make 10 Kung Fu Pandas and I wouldn't care.

There is some stunning jaw-dropping set-pieces in this film.

[Ezee E]

Might check this out. Need to see the first one still.

[Rowland]

The awesome set-pieces were all the first film had going for it, but they were admittedly very impressive, so I'd like to see this considering that it's getting similar praise.

[EyesWideOpen]

The first one literally made me and my wife both fall asleep in the theater so unless this one gets insane reviews I'll skip it.

[Watashi]

The first one literally made me and my wife both fall asleep in the theater so unless this one gets insane reviews I'll skip it.
What the fuck is wrong with you?

[Dukefrukem]

here we go...

[Sxottlan]

Nice. Little to no drop off from the first one. Not really hysterical so much as regularly inducing moderate laughs. In fact, I would have almost preferred less lightheartedness in favor of even more gravitas given the story.

Po's flashbacks were simply heartbreaking. The decision to go with cell style CGI when he had only impressions of what happened was a great choice and then the switch to "regular" CGI when he remembers everything. The character designs in these films have been a triumph as they're able to wring so much emotion out of their faces. Enough to get me the slightest bit choked up at the flashback.

This movie was ridiculously good looking. Saw it in digital 2D. Po's POV looking up at a rainy sky was breathtaking. And the opening and closing credits were beautiful with gauzy weird pastel colored images in and out of focus. Very dream-like.

By the way, Guillermo del Toro's name came up in the end credits as some kind of consultant. I don't remember whether creative or visual.

You better keep this up Dreamworks Animation. I'm actually starting to expect good things from you (even though I'll skip Puss 'n Boots).

[Henry Gale]

By the way, Guillermo del Toro's name came up in the end credits as some kind of consultant. I don't remember whether creative or visual.

You better keep this up Dreamworks Animation. I'm actually starting to expect good things from you (even though I'll skip Puss 'n Boots).

These two bits kind of clash since Del Toro is very involved in Puss In Boots, even to the point of being the voice of one of the characters as well as being an executive producer on it. Dreamworks seems to have really brought him on heavily as one of their go-to story people. People who have been shown the opening bits of the movie seemed very impressed. Plus, him and Justin Theroux were similarly credited on Megamind as "creative consultants", so I'm guessing that's what he was listed as on KFP2 as well.

Everything I've seen of Dreamworks' output since the first Kung Fu Panda has been solid (with the exception of Monsters vs. Aliens), so yeah, they definitely seem to be getting their shit together. Kung Fu Panda 2 and the Hangover sequel seemed to have come up out of nowhere, but now that they're both in theatres I can say I'm definitely more excited to see this out of the two.

[Morris Schæffer]

The original was a one-joke premise for me. Thoroughly unfunny. Mind, I usually shut down during toons when there's an excess of talking animals pretending to be funny. Usually, not always though for I liked the original Ice Age.

[lovejuice]

I still love the energy, the world, and the characters, but the story this time is kinda crap. After Po became super Kung Fu fighter in the first movie, they seem to run out of idea what to put in front of him, so they just throw in more, more and more stuffs. The movie is linear, with obstacle A followed by obstacle B, C, D and so on.

Funny enough, I have the same issue as I do with Tangled. The conflict is Po coming in term with how he is adopted. I can't gather much sympathy for that. The suspense is also nil since we have learned (or guessed) the big secret from the very beginning way earlier than the protagonist.

Especially I don't buy the idea of cannons being able to stop Kung Fu. In pirate movies, we don't see people use cannons to fight off rapiers very efficiently. (Though that happens in the ridiculous climax of Cutthroat Island.)

[Watashi]

I still love the energy, the world, and the characters, but the story this time is kinda crap. After Po became super Kung Fu fighter in the first movie, they seem to run out of idea what to put in front of him, so they just throw in more, more and more stuffs. The movie is linear, with obstacle A followed by obstacle B, C, D and so on.

Funny enough, I have the same issue as I do with Tangled. The conflict is Po coming in term with how he is adopted. I can't gather much sympathy for that. The suspense is also nil since we have learned (or guessed) the big secret from the very beginning way earlier than the protagonist.

Especially I don't buy the idea of cannons being able to stop Kung Fu. In pirate movies, we don't see people use cannons to fight off rapiers very efficiently. (Though that happens in the ridiculous climax of Cutthroat Island.)

The movie feels like an old school Jackie Chan film where you know Jackie Chan is going to come out on top, because well... he's fucking Jackie Chan. I love how both Kung Fu Panda films are just a love-letter to kung fu cinema and how Po is just amazed at how awesome everything is around that he's being a part of this crazy adventure. There is no real tension, because Po and the Furious Five are the biggest badasses in the entire kingdom. The whole cannon storyline just represents the classic technology invading the ancient arts that's been a staple of kung-fu cinema. It's a shame that people have a predetermined bias against "talking animal" cartoons, because here the animals make sense and aren't there to look cute and silly.

The adopted angle isn't suppose to have any suspense because they even joke about Po's father being a goose in the first film. I loved the film's message about how your family doesn't come from blood, but those who accept you. I thought the final scene between Po and his father was extremely touching. And then there's the final shot.

[Spinal]

I will probably see it sometime next week.

[lovejuice]

The whole cannon storyline just represents the classic technology invading the ancient arts that's been a staple of kung-fu cinema.

I think what was invading ancient China is more westerners rather than just technology. Gunpowder was discovered way back in the 9th century, so China perhaps develop both the technology and martial arts along the same time.

I know I am digging too deep into this, but we have the baddest-assed tiger as the villain in the first one, so I was looking forward to what they will introduce here.

[Watashi]

Saw this again last night. It's probably my favorite DreamWorks film (yeah, not saying much). I liked it better than Toy Story 3. I don't think I've been moved deeply over a Panda doing Tai-Chi in the rain more than this film.

Gary Oldman deserves a thousand Oscars for this film.

[Russ]

I am really looking forward to this, Wats.

[Spinal]

Ambitious ... artistic ... sincere ... dark ... inspiring ...

Those aren't words that should be associated with Kung Fu Panda 2, a sure-fire money making sequel from the studio that once brought us Bee Movie, and yet, surprisingly, they all fit. I mean, I don't think there was even one fart joke in the whole thing. The film functions as both an origin story and a continuation of the previous tale. And the key to the film's success is that the filmmakers actually take this absurd Jack Black-voiced character seriously.

Don't get me wrong, it's still pretty goofy. I simply mean that the writers provide Po with a rich back story and deep emotional stakes. They recognize that Po is not simply a hapless buffoon. He has always had a gift that complements his fellow warriors, his elasticity and his ability to bounce back (often literally). This quality, juxtaposed against Tiger's hardiness, is explored in a captivating tale that is actually worth telling, a rarity for a sequel.

If anything, the film is almost too mature, losing some of the deep belly laughs from the previous film. But the sum total is awfully enjoyable and ends with a pretty solid message for the kids. Well, for adults, too, actually.

[Watashi]

My only teeny problem with the film is...the final shot revealing that Po's father is still alive. While it's a powerful ending on its own, it kinda contradicts the previous scene with Po acknowledging Ping as his father. If they do make a third film, it will be interesting to see where they go with this.

But yeah, Spinal's on the money. I love how all the humor comes from visual gags or parodies of genre conventions and not pop references. A lot of the jokes are surprisingly subtle which is a rarity for DreamWorks.

[Spinal]

Jennifer Yuh Nelson is the first woman to solely direct an animated feature from a major Hollywood studio. (http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/25/entertainment/la-et-jennifer-yuh-20110525)

[EyesWideOpen]

Ok, I rewatched the first one. I'll admit I was wrong. I must have just not been in the right mood my first viewing. It was quite an enjoyable movie. I wouldn't put it close to my favorite Pixar stuff but still quite good.

[TGM]

This movie lived up to my expectations. It's pretty much on par with the first. It's a very beautiful film, much more so than I remember the first being, and I especially loved the switch between 2D and 3D styles at certain times.

I think this movie benefits tremendously by not being saddled down with an origins story like the first, so they're able to jump right into the action. And the furious five actually play an active role here, rather than merely existing like they did before. Our villian here, played wonderfully by Gary Oldman, is also a real treat, and similar to the furious five, we're really able to spend some time with him and learn more about him, whereas last time we were just told about him until we finally meet him in the end.

The film definitely brings the humor, and one particular line by Mantis may be the funniest thing I've heard in a movie in years. But, as I discussed with my friend I went to see it with, they sometimes placed their humor in inappropriate spots. It only bugged me a little, but my friend took a much bigger issue with it, so I suppose it just comes down to taste.

Overall, I enjoyed the hell out of this movie. It's funny, and at times it's heartbreakingly powerful. Dreamworks definitely has a successful franchise on their hands, and I more than look forward to the next installment.

[Fezzik]

The film definitely brings the humor, and one particular line by Mantis may be the funniest thing I've heard in a movie in years. But, as I discussed with my friend I went to see it with, they sometimes placed their humor in inappropriate spots. It only bugged me a little, but my friend took a much bigger issue with it, so I suppose it just comes down to taste.

That friend would be me, and yeah it bothered me a lot when it happened. I understand the need for comedy in these things, but you don't break epic or drama mode just to throw in a silly one off slapstick gag.

The worst offensives, imo:

* Shen not being able to hear Po as he's yelling his confrontational speech, followed by Po throwing his hat ineffectually.

* During the climactic sequence, with Po catching and tossing back the cannonballs, interrupted by Po going "ow ow ow" after he realizes his hand is on fire.

That said, i still really liked it. The drama was really powerful in spots, particularly

the flashback scene w/ his mother. That was freaking heartbreaking.

[Spinal]

The worst offensives, imo:

* Shen not being able to hear Po as he's yelling his confrontational speech, followed by Po throwing his hat ineffectually.

* During the climactic sequence, with Po catching and tossing back the cannonballs, interrupted by Po going "ow ow ow" after he realizes his hand is on fire.


I thought the first one was absolutely hilarious. I could have done without the other, but it didn't bother me too much.

[Watashi]

I thought the first one was absolutely hilarious. I could have done without the other, but it didn't bother me too much.
Yeah, that gag was amazing. I love the humor.

"What do scars do then? They fade?"

[number8]

The delicate balancing of the tone is like an episode of Avatar.

[Spinal]

I would have moments in the film where I would be really into the battle between good and evil and then I'd check myself and think, ok, I'm watching a cartoon panda battle a cartoon peacock. How is this not completely ridiculous?

[Sxottlan]

I'll admit the set up for the conflict I found a bit underwhelming. Basically the heroes receive a letter saying something bad has happened in the capital and now that I think about it, it wasn't explained who sent it.




The worst offensives, imo:

* Shen not being able to hear Po as he's yelling his confrontational speech, followed by Po throwing his hat ineffectually.

* During the climactic sequence, with Po catching and tossing back the cannonballs, interrupted by Po going "ow ow ow" after he realizes his hand is on fire.

Your first example I thought was funny, but I agree about your second example. It was an incredibly powerful moment interrupted for a pretty obvious laugh. I would have rather they dropped that bit.




That said, i still really liked it. The drama was really powerful in spots, particularly

the flashback scene w/ his mother. That was freaking heartbreaking.

Agreed. Did anyone else notice how the mother was seemingly glowing from within when she left Po behind?

[TGM]

I'll admit the set up for the conflict I found a bit underwhelming. Basically the heroes receive a letter saying something bad has happened in the capital and now that I think about it, it wasn't explained who sent it.

It was kinda established that that's just how they go about their business. Like when the wolves were stealing all the metal, there wasn't any build up to it, they just got word that something bad's happening, and they went out to go stop it. I don't really see a problem with that.

As for who sent the letter, we could possibly assume it was the sheep woman, though does it really matter who sent it?

[number8]

I like to sit through end credits all the way to the end, and this time it paid off. I bet none of you noticed that of the two pieces of music in the film that are not original compositions, one is a track taken from the Chow Yun Fat movie Bulletproof Monk's score.

[number8]

Also, that the script underwent a rewrite by Charlie Kaufman.

[Ezee E]

Also, that the script underwent a rewrite by Charlie Kaufman.
I thought I heard about that a while back. Pretty cool.

I'm getting the first in tomorrow from Netflix. Plan to see this over the weekend.

[Sxottlan]

As for who sent the letter, we could possibly assume it was the sheep woman, though does it really matter who sent it?

Not really. Just something I noticed.

[Dukefrukem]

I didn't like this as nearly as the first movie. I agree the conflict was lame and the spoilered mentions were some of the movie's highlights, but the movie lacked overall style and substance. I thought throwing in the cheap animation acting as flashbacks was a cop-out, and even though I did feel for Po When his mother left him I didn't care for his lack of vengeance due to his finding internal peace. I suppose that was the whole point of the movie, but its hard for me to care about the characters when Po doesn't really care himself Maybe they were trying to teach a younger audience a lesson?

[Spinal]

I don't know how you can possibly criticize this film for lack of substance. It has far more substance than one should reasonably expect from a sequel in a series where Jack Black provides the voice for a panda that knows martial arts. And, yeah, the film is providing an important moral lesson to young viewers. This is something that should be encouraged from Dreamworks as they haven't a good history with this in regards to their family films.

[Dukefrukem]

I don't know how you can possibly criticize this film for lack of substance. It has far more substance than one should reasonably expect from a sequel in a series where Jack Black provides the voice for a panda that knows martial arts. And, yeah, the film is providing an important moral lesson to young viewers. This is something that should be encouraged from Dreamworks as they haven't a good history with this in regards to their family films.

Its probably less criticism and more constructive feedback to the writers.... They did a much better job wrapping up the conflict and tying in the "secret ingredient" lesson of the scroll in the first movie. There was also a much greater satisfaction level knowing Po was finally accepted by the group and the town, who had lost all hope in him. They had to make up a back-story, which didn't really become relevant until the final act... before the audience could really get into the conflict on an emotional level.

I was much more proud of Po in the fist movie.

[number8]

I didn't care for his lack of vengeance due to his finding internal peace. I suppose that was the whole point of the movie, but its hard for me to care about the characters when Po doesn't really care himself Maybe they were trying to teach a younger audience a lesson?

Wait, what do you mean by this? You're disappointed that the hero learns mercy instead of enacting vengeance?

[Spinal]

Wait, what do you mean by this? You're disappointed that the hero learns mercy instead of enacting vengeance?

I was confused by this as well, seeing as it would be a complete break from the established character.

[Dukefrukem]

Wait, what do you mean by this? You're disappointed that the hero learns mercy instead of enacting vengeance?

I worded that terribly, as-usual. I didn't like the conflict of interest in the ending.

There was a point in the movie where Po said something like: "Yesterday doesn't matter... and Scars Heal" (which was funny actually since the response was "Scares don't heal" "What do scars do? They fade...") Fine.. I get the family side of this movie.. But the movie wants its cake and to eat it too. Peaceful lesson with satisfying vengeful ending- so what did they do?



Find your Inner Peace and let go of the past is the lesson: "but what kind of lame ending is that?" the writers say. "We'll make him still use his Inner Peace to inflict damage upon your enemy!" (the fireballs)

"Oh an you know what will be funny! We'll find an inadvertent way for Po to kill the bad guy by still keeping his pledge to Inner Peace."

"Yeh! What perfect ending!"

[Spinal]

I just saw that as the flip side of the lesson. Shen's fate is determined by his refusal to seek harmony and peace.

[Dukefrukem]

I just saw that as the flip side of the lesson. Shen's fate is determined by his refusal to seek harmony and peace.

I like that.

[Spinal]

I like that.

Now I think that it's fair to ask whether death is necessary to convey that lesson. That's a reasonable question and one I'm not sure how I feel about.

[number8]

Boom. http://www.justpressplay.net/reviews/7956-kung-fu-panda-2.html

[ThePlashyBubbler]

My only teeny problem with the film is...the final shot revealing that Po's father is still alive. While it's a powerful ending on its own, it kinda contradicts the previous scene with Po acknowledging Ping as his father. If they do make a third film, it will be interesting to see where they go with this.


My roommate did an internship at Dreamworks Animation last spring, and found out that they're already planning something like six or seven Kung Fu Pandas, so I'm guessing they have at least a mild idea of where it's leading in the (presumed) next one.

[Bosco B Thug]

I think I liked this much better than the first (and I liked the first one). Do away with the conventional action and replace it with whimsical, metaphorical action. Replace a funny and endearing action plot with a not-quite-as-funny, quite dark tale evoking history and world-shaping ancient politics.

The square-one, anti-any-and-all-technology, pro-inner-peace-and-simple-things message totally rocks.

[Henry Gale]

Man, this may be the best movie I've seen in theatres so far this summer. What's it's competition? Thor? Bridesmaids? (Not that I don't have hopes for things like Tree Of Life, Super 8 and Harry Potter in the coming weeks / months.)

It's just an awesome action movie with a shockingly well-developed emotional core, great visuals and enough energy behind it to make even its relatively short runtime just fly by in an incredibly enjoyable way. It just happens to have CG-animated animals in the middle of it all. This is a hard movie for me to have any real problems with.

Also, how isn't this making more money? I'm more than open to seeing potentially endless sequels come out of this story and the world around it in the years to come, but the fact that this has only just squeaked past $100 million in its first two weeks (the first of which having been Memorial Day weekend) makes that seem like much less of a sure thing considering its budget.

[Dukefrukem]

Man, this may be the best movie I've seen in theatres so far this summer. What's it's competition? Thor? Bridesmaids? (Not that I don't have hopes for things like Tree Of Life, Super 8 and Harry Potter in the coming weeks / months.)


Rango is so much better than this. I mean, this movie was a poor excuse for a sequel- follow the typical formula: Introduce all these new factors in a lame prologue and play them out bit by bit. If they're planning on making 6 more of these movies, why not leave somewhat of a deeper cliffhanger...?

let the villain escape at least

[Henry Gale]

Rango is so much better than this. I mean, this movie was a poor excuse for a sequel- follow the typical formula: Introduce all these new factors in a lame prologue and play them out bit by bit. If they're planning on making 6 more of these movies, why not leave somewhat of a deeper cliffhanger...?

let the villain escape at least

Well I meant more in terms of the big summer movies so far, so I guess late April releases onwards was my window (and Rango came out in March, even though I only saw it a couple of weeks ago). I'm not so sure that I liked Verbinski's movie more though. I think both of these movies are great examples of Hollywood, big budget, animated tentpole releases in the sense that both of them make attempts to really do something slightly offbeat (or very much so in Rango's case) while still having strong stories at the centre of them. I was just more invested in the journey of the Dreamworks movie, and I was just more moved by it when it hit its peak emotional beats, instead of how I wasn't really onboard with Rango until after its first hour.

And in terms of leaving things open for more movies, I'd much rather see something like the last shot of the movie that leaves you surprised and even a bit conflicted, that still leaves room for more character-driven storytelling in the future, instead of simply leaving the same villain alive to try and get revenge once again in a sequel. If this was the last Kung Fu Panda movie, they resolved the conflict at hand in a very strong way, and then the last bit with Po's father was simply a way of giving another side to the inner peace theme from an angle that the audience hadn't had to consider until that very last moment. Having a "The End" title card was definitely a good choice, but if there's more, at least we know one of the key threads that they'll use.

[Morris Schæffer]

Holy hell, Jean-claude Van Damme is in this?! :cool:

[Dukefrukem]

Holy hell, Jean-claude Van Damme is in this?! :cool:

Barely

[Sven]

The toppling pagoda bit looks cool.

It was.

Cool movie. Had less lame jokes than the first one.

[Watashi]

I thought you were a huge fan of the first film?

[Sven]

I thought you were a huge fan of the first film?

I'd probably rate them thus:

Kung Fu Panda - ***
Kung Fu Panda 2 - ***, with a few less lame jokes

[Irish]

Kinda agree with both Duke and Spinal on this one. Pleasantly dark but oddly slight at the end.

Watched it on an iPad and wish I had seen it in the theaters. My god is this movie gorgeous. The flashback scenes and "shadow puppet" style stuff are particularly beautiful.

Thought they gave short shrift to almost all the supporting characters. Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu and JCVD are woefully underused.

Loved the peacock & thought Oldman made a fantastic villain. Great character all around.

The thematic stuff about inner peace didn't play well. It's shoe horned into the story and, like other movies of this kind, I'm always annoyed how easily the characters reach goals that in the real world take years, if not decades, to reach.

I remember liking the first one, for what it was, quite a bit. But now I remember absolutely nothing about it. In a couple of years, I'll probably think of this one as visually stunning but slight in every other regard. And remember nothing about the story.

[Watashi]

The thematic stuff about inner peace didn't play well. It's shoe horned into the story and, like other movies of this kind, I'm always annoyed how easily the characters reach goals that in the real world take years, if not decades, to reach.


Don't they immediately joke about this after the fact?

[number8]

Yeah, Shifu kept complaining that it took Po no time at all to master something that he spent decades to achieve.

[Irish]

Yeah, Shifu kept complaining that it took Po no time at all to master something that he spent decades to achieve.
No, he makes a comment about Po's youth, which in my mind is a little bit different.

My pet peeve is more about the hero's journey angle in American films, where the hero is some kind of "chosen one" who puts little to no effort into mastering a set of skills (Po, Luke, Neo, etc).

Same goes here. Inner peace is a kind of nebulous concept, but in this movie Po doesn't really do anything that would allow him to achieve the state he does at the end of the movie. He just sort of "levels up" and a new ability is gifted to him.

[Spinal]

Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu and JCVD are woefully underused.


I dunno. Each of those actors works best for me in small doses, personally.

[Watashi]

Same goes here. Inner peace is a kind of nebulous concept, but in this movie Po doesn't really do anything that would allow him to achieve the state he does at the end of the movie. He just sort of "levels up" and a new ability is gifted to him.

That's a very shallow way of looking at it. I guess Po's meditation over his abandonment was for bells and whistles then? It's pretty clear that he doesn't gain inner peace from nothing.

[Irish]

I dunno. Each of those actors works best for me in small doses, personally.

I can understand that. Just seems bizarre to hire name actors (especially someone of Chan's stature) and give them ~5 lines in the movie. But I guess their names are worth something on the poster too.

[Irish]

That's a very shallow way of looking at it. I guess Po's meditation over his abandonment was for bells and whistles then? It's pretty clear that he doesn't gain inner peace from nothing.

Really? How is it shallow?

We're talking about two scenes that run maybe ~2 minutes each. In one, he fails to meditate at all. In another, he reflects on his childhood & important backstory is revealed. Leap forward to the third act and suddenly he can shotput live ammunition.

This is sensible to you? Epecially in the context of inner peace? People spend hundreds of hours in religious services & never find it. Spend tens of thousands of dollars in therapy & never find it. Whole lifetimes, no peace.

I understand this is a cartoon, but c'mon. Po never seems particularly broken up over his adoption in the first place, never comments on the fact that his mother is most likely dead, & doesn't seem disturbed that he saw his village slaughtered. But we're still meant to believe that a single moment's reflection not only resolves these traumas but allows him to go mano e mano with a cannon?

Like I said, this is a pet peeve. Seems like there was a crop of heroes this year (Po, Capt America, Larry Crowne) that sported a pollyannaish outlook into superhuman personal victories, all without breaking a sweat.

[Morris Schæffer]

.

I understand this is a cartoon, but c'mon. Po never seems particularly broken up over his adoption in the first place, never comments on the fact that his mother is most likely dead, & doesn't seem disturbed that he saw his village slaughtered. But we're still meant to believe that a single moment's reflection not only resolves these traumas but allows him to go mano e mano with a cannon?.

I do wholeheartedly agree, but the premise is so insanely silly, that the things that you want out of this movie are hopelessly beyond its grasp. Moreover, It moves maniacally and frenetically to the next bit of fightin' or jokin' that there's little room for genuine emotion. The only thing that got to me, and boy is that a relative way of putting it, was the flashback sequence that details how Po came to be the son of the guy who played Seinfeld's annoying waiter.

[Watashi]

I can't even respond to that Irish, because it's so ridiculous.

I mean... wow.

[Watashi]

Really? How is it shallow?

We're talking about two scenes that run maybe ~2 minutes each. In one, he fails to meditate at all. In another, he reflects on his childhood & important backstory is revealed. Leap forward to the third act and suddenly he can shotput live ammunition.

In a franchise where Po can fight along side Kung Fu masters and learn a move with his pinky finger that can decimate foes, THIS bothers you? It's supposed to be slapstick. I find it so weird that this bothers you. Should Po end up dying from the force of a cannonball?


This is sensible to you? Epecially in the context of inner peace? People spend hundreds of hours in religious services & never find it. Spend tens of thousands of dollars in therapy & never find it. Whole lifetimes, no peace.

Uh. What? That's nice. This is not that film. Who cares about other people's problems in finding inner peace. Is anyone going to come out of Kung Fu Panda thinking they can obtain inner peace overnight?


I understand this is a cartoon, but c'mon. Po never seems particularly broken up over his adoption in the first place, never comments on the fact that his mother is most likely dead, & doesn't seem disturbed that he saw his village slaughtered. But we're still meant to believe that a single moment's reflection not only resolves these traumas but allows him to go mano e mano with a cannon?

What the hell? Did you watch the movie? Did you not pay attention to the scenes where he Shen is bewildered that he can move on from him slaughtering his family. Oh, that's right. It's just a 2 minute scene. I forgot that a studio tentpole animated film needs to have its entire runtime focused on analyzing the tortured trauma of letting go. All those jokes, set-pieces, and other plot points? Useless!


Like I said, this is a pet peeve. Seems like there was a crop of heroes this year (Po, Capt America, Larry Crowne) that sported a pollyannaish outlook into superhuman personal victories, all without breaking a sweat.

You actually saw Larry Crowne? LOL.