Reviews WesternAnimation / Kung Fu Panda 2

A definitive 'perfect sequel'.

One of Kung Fu Panda's greatest strengths to me was how strongly its characters and their perspectives drove the story. Every fight scene, witty exchange, or moment of growth had a reason that reinforced who ever it was centered around.

Now imagine that quality times two, and SKADOOSH—this film.

The premise of Po's story in the sequel is now one that's less about self-respect and confidence no matter what even you thought of yourself, and is now one of true self-discovery and how the past doesn't need to make your decisions for you. While it goes without saying that it's less than subtle in that approach—seeing as how the phrase "inner peace" is spoken no less than a dozen times in this film—it never felt like it was for the sake of flaunting a message, but letting the character of Po learn it; I don't even remember the last time I saw a scene as empowering in an animated film as "Po Finds the Truth", and it's this kind of quality execution that matters most to excellence, not how many twists and turns can be thrown in or how much exposition is needed to back it up, and even parts that may have had traces of that are addressed with the same kind of quality characterization that the first one had, even more in fact.

The film's most effective humorous moments felt like an evolution of the kind of tension-cutter moments that were in the first one, like Po finally meeting Tai Lung after what was probably the most emotionally-driven fight scene. Yet, the arguably more fleshed out characterization here, particularly with the villain, made for humor that was not only more genuine, but more successful in its punchlines. The "Free the Five" scene only had me laughing harder and harder the more it was building itself up.

If there was one problem that I had to point out, it's that the film is a bit shorter than the first one. However, the pacing of each scene was so on the mark that not only did I not notice at first, but I didn't give a damn when I finally did. Every scene was as long as it needed to be with as much humor, emotion, or action as it needed to have. I'm one who believes a perfect film doesn't need to have literally zero flaws, but what shortcomings it has aren't pertinent to the quality of the work at hand. It helped Kung Fu Panda be so great, and it's what makes Kung Fu Panda 2 my all time favorite animated film.