Loads of fun

Technical wizardry, which takes centrestage in Jinnifer Yuh Nelson’s 
Kung Fu Panda 2, is a new dimension in animation

THe thing about sequels is that they often raise hopes but rarely fulfil them. But in the case of Kung Fu Panda 2, it is that technical wizardy, which takes centrestage and in a way tends to dilute the loads of fun orchestrated by that genial and rotund dragon warrior panda Po (voice of Jack Black).

The panda is on a mission to save China and kung fu from the evil peacock Shen (Gary Oldman). Po has his friends joining him but his past troubles him and it soon dawns on him that Mr Ping is not his real papa. He has to know his origins before taking on that megalomaniac Lord Shen.

Full credit to director Jinnifer Yuh Nelson for imbuing the action with warmth and feeling in the Po-Ping relationship. It takes us back to the warm moments of The Lion King, a new benchmark in animation films. Then there is the Furious Five — Tigress, Mantis, Monkey, Viper and Krane — have a good deal of screen time that enhances the time span. Finally, there’s the kung fu guru Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), who has just found a brittle inner peace that is endangered by Po’s acrobatics.

Jack Black is in his element as Po and Angelina Jolie’s voice compliments the tough tigress persona. There is also a cute chemistry between them. For variety, there is the noodle-loving Mr Ping and the gang has its own variety, which may not be infinite, but keeps the fare jogging along.

If only director Jinnifer Yuh Nelson could have exercised a bit of restraint. Less is more in such cases, then it would have been "totally awesome" as Po was won’t to saying. But it surely is a new dimension in animation and for that reason itself is well worth a dekko.

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