Film File - Kung Fu Panda 2
Who could argue that Jack Black is not a child at heart? Able to summon up perfect pre-teen and adolescent emotions in many of his acting roles from 'High Fidelity' to 'School Of Rock', this portly, rebellious and often pathetic figure offers the younger cinema-goer a perfect anti-hero, complete with a sharp tongue and twitchy facial tics. As Po, the Dragon Warrior who has finally found his martial arts soul, Black forged an animated creation it was clear could go as many rounds as Johnny Depp in 'Pirates of the Caribbean' if he wanted. As one of the brightest spots of the 2008 summer, the original 'Kung Fu Panda' proved a worldwide hit in the tale of the daydreaming noodle-maker with aspirations of kung fu greatness who embarks on the hazardous, and hilarious, journey from kung fu super fan to kung fu hero. The fact that this action-packed family comedy grossed more than €500 million around the globe, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film and took home 10 Annie Awards (the animation industry's highest honour), pretty much summed up a sensation of which there had to be more. In the follow-up, Po has become a better warrior with his Furious Five buddies and the new adventure reflects his deeper immersion into the world of kung fu. The film's central theme is one left unsolved from the original - why is Po's father, Mr Ping (James Hong), a goose? Clearly, he has been adopted - but how did this come to pass? In the process of answering this burning question, Po learns his past is tied to the evil peacock emperor Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), a strange working of fate which figures prominently in martial arts films right back to Bruce Lee. Po has learned the hard way that heroes come in all shapes and sizes - in the sequel, he learns that fate leads to destiny and the chance to realise one's full potential. Having mastered martial arts, Po's latest test involves finding his inner peace, perfect country for Black's immaturity and humour to flourish. Symbols from his half-remembered childhood assault Po - at one point causing his distraction during a key battle. Like all heroes, he is forced away from the comfort of his band of brothers to search for the truth of where he really came from. A secondary theme neatly explored in the storyline is the price of progress - specifically, Lord Shen's attempt to seize power through modern armaments over the traditional values of the kung fu art. This nod to the double-edged sword of technology is well-handled and surely a topic where the little 'uns will float a few testing questions towards the adults from the backseat on the way home. Alongside Black and Oldman, there are the returning voices of Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen and Davis Cross, added to by cameo appearances by Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan and Jean-Claude Van Damme. 'Kung Fu Panda 2' is a laugh all the way, bookended by glorious animation and a storyline with heart. A fortune cookie winner.