Animated panda on wild goose chase
By Xu Wei |
June 5, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THERE is one question that remains at the end of 2008's "Kung Fu Panda" - why was panda Po's father a goose? Now "Kung Fu Panda 2," the highly-anticipated 3D animated sequel, provides the answer.
The film begins with a legend that an evil peacock is intent on using an unstoppable cannon to wipe out kung fu tradition and take over China, but he is destined to be defeated by a black-and-white warrior one day.
Meanwhile, Po's kung fu skills have largely improved since the first installment. He and the Furious Five (tigress, crane, mantis, viper and monkey) fight as a team. Po is happily living his dream as The Dragon Warrior to protect the Valley of Peace until one day a skirmish with wolf bandits jogs his repressed memory of where he really came from.
On Po's new journey to save kung fu, he is also trying to find inner peace for the past he cannot remember. He must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins during this adventurous and heartwarming process.
The movie features not only a war between the kung fu tradition and the new deadly weapon, but also a war between hatred and forgiveness. As Po's mentor says in the movie, anything is possible when you have inner peace. Po manages to achieve inner peace - the highest level of kung fu and unlock his potential strength after knowing that "his story may not have a happy beginning, but what makes him is the rest of his life; who he chooses to be."
In addition to the inclusion of Chinese Taoism philosophy and the redemptive themes about forgiveness and courage, a lot more genuine Chinese elements are incorporated.
The film's backdrop is inspired by the picturesque scenes of China's southwestern areas. Spicy Sichuan cuisine, stinky tofu, the traditional dragon and lion dances, acupuncture, fireworks and shadow play are all ingeniously blended into the sequel. Some thrilling and creative fight scenes are also accompanied by instrumental Chinese folk music. All of these elements make the film even more intimate for Chinese audiences.
The film presents the super adorable picture of baby Po, who is adopted by the goose and proves himself a food enthusiast from the very beginning.
Romance seeds are also sewn in the sequel as the tigress not only shows her loyalty to Po, but also reveals a warm compassion underneath her steely, iron-jawed exterior.
Angelina Jolie lends her sexy voice to the tigress while Jack Black comes back to provide Po's voice.
Compared with "Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides," the 3D effects in the movie are more natural and remarkable. Overall, the film is entertaining and heartwarming, making itself a perfect alternative for the whole family.
The film begins with a legend that an evil peacock is intent on using an unstoppable cannon to wipe out kung fu tradition and take over China, but he is destined to be defeated by a black-and-white warrior one day.
Meanwhile, Po's kung fu skills have largely improved since the first installment. He and the Furious Five (tigress, crane, mantis, viper and monkey) fight as a team. Po is happily living his dream as The Dragon Warrior to protect the Valley of Peace until one day a skirmish with wolf bandits jogs his repressed memory of where he really came from.
On Po's new journey to save kung fu, he is also trying to find inner peace for the past he cannot remember. He must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins during this adventurous and heartwarming process.
The movie features not only a war between the kung fu tradition and the new deadly weapon, but also a war between hatred and forgiveness. As Po's mentor says in the movie, anything is possible when you have inner peace. Po manages to achieve inner peace - the highest level of kung fu and unlock his potential strength after knowing that "his story may not have a happy beginning, but what makes him is the rest of his life; who he chooses to be."
In addition to the inclusion of Chinese Taoism philosophy and the redemptive themes about forgiveness and courage, a lot more genuine Chinese elements are incorporated.
The film's backdrop is inspired by the picturesque scenes of China's southwestern areas. Spicy Sichuan cuisine, stinky tofu, the traditional dragon and lion dances, acupuncture, fireworks and shadow play are all ingeniously blended into the sequel. Some thrilling and creative fight scenes are also accompanied by instrumental Chinese folk music. All of these elements make the film even more intimate for Chinese audiences.
The film presents the super adorable picture of baby Po, who is adopted by the goose and proves himself a food enthusiast from the very beginning.
Romance seeds are also sewn in the sequel as the tigress not only shows her loyalty to Po, but also reveals a warm compassion underneath her steely, iron-jawed exterior.
Angelina Jolie lends her sexy voice to the tigress while Jack Black comes back to provide Po's voice.
Compared with "Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides," the 3D effects in the movie are more natural and remarkable. Overall, the film is entertaining and heartwarming, making itself a perfect alternative for the whole family.
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