Threre are few sequels that are better than the original. This is one of them. Smarter, with good plot and an amazing animation. Perfect for a movie session with the family.
Admittedly, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first “Kung Fu Panda.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s alright, but that’s all. Just alright. The jokes about him being big and clumsy get old after an hour and a half, to the point where it almost seems like a movie that’s trying to (ironically) fat shame kids. “Kung Fu Panda 2” is really more of the same. Same characters, same plot, same jokes. It’s extremely predictable with literally no surprises, giving the characters little depth. What we are presented with here is essentially a paint-by-numbers family film. If you’re okay with that, then more power to you. It’s pretty harmless brain candy, but if you’re looking for more substance or any way to challenge your kids a little, look elsewhere. Again, it’s just kind of...there. Ironically zen, in a way.
Kung Fu Panda 2 excitedly kicks, punches and belly flops its way through overused visual humour. “Everybody was kung fu fighting!” much more so in this sequel when compared to its predecessor. The Furious Five were slapping Shen’s army of diabolical wolves left, right and centre. Master Shifu prodding his stick conveniently during the climactic battle. And a plethora of other anthropomorphic beasts harnessing the power of said martial art. This very much felt like an animated martial arts feature, one aspect the original was sorely missing. However, despite DreamWorks’ best efforts in continuing Po’s search in becoming the Dragon Warrior, its quality offers no improvements. Unable to surpass the boundaries of family-friendly humour that reduces the visual splendour and narrative heft to progress the story onto the next level. Po, having realised who his parents truly are (not a goose...), must save China with the Furious Five from the malicious peacock Shen and his fascination with metallic weapons. DreamWorks constantly pump out family orientated animations with powerful morals every year. This sequel illustrating the ability to manipulate our past childhoods to shape the person we want to be. For Po, this meant ignoring the familial scars that Shen caused, producing his prepubescent abandonment. A notable moral that many should abide by, but unfortunately is weighed down by excessive comedy that diminished a vast amount of beautiful moments. Aside from the tantalising scene when Po finally discovered what happened to his parents, conveyed through mesmerising hand-drawn animated flashbacks, all other heartfelt examples were brutalised by Po’s apparent requirement to exercise his bumbling personality. Black’s prolific voice doesn’t help matters, with a lack of sincerity to his vocal performance, but the frantic pacing and rushed sequences made for a frustrating central narrative. That’s not to say this sequel is poor, in fact it’s just as consistent as its predecessor. Rather infuriating is all given the tender bamboo seeds that were lovingly planted, unable to grow into ferocious stalks. The humour, as overwhelming as it is, does provide characterisation to these animals. Po in particular. Making it hugely accessible for all members of all families to watch and enjoy. The action sequences were splendid and vibrantly colourful, with some ingenious editing that made one chase scene resemble ‘Pac-Man’. The oriental aesthetics and environments built a beautifully inclusive world for the characters to roam in. The antagonist, Shen, was far more memorable and sinister in comparison to...ummm...I forgot his name. The snow leopard? We’ll go with that. Mostly due to Oldman’s vocal work that has a larger range than the entirety of his filmography (and that’s saying something!). The red and black lighting was, at times, excessive in depicting “evil” and surprisingly dark. No, not thematically. It was literally difficult to see anything! Aside from that, Kung Fu Panda 2 slaps. And punches. And kicks. But also tumbles repetitively due to Po’s constant buffoonery. It does however set the third film up nicely, so guess I’ll have to give that a go...
Maya is living the ultimate fashionistas dream: she is working as a stylist for one of the French trend setters, in the capital of haute-couture: Paris. One of the IT girls of fashion, shes following her dreams until one night, when her life takes a sudden turn: shes being deported back to Morocco, after being stopped for over speeding, because her Visa expired some time ago. So in no more than 24 hours, shes deported back to her family and original country. The strong cultural shock and the judgmental differences are pushing the woman to obtain back her place in the city of dreams and her dreams, no matter the costs. But that doesn't mean she will have to return alone, as she finds other things also among her way back to the city.
Movie Star Rating : 5.9 Read More
Ana, Daniel, Christian and Pia, a group of friends who have managed to stay together despite the problems that surround them every day. Until today, when an unexpected event will change their lives forever. "Musth" is a story about love, trust, loyalty, desire, happiness and forgiveness, a story about how we play on this board called LIFE.
Movie Star Rating : 4.6 Read More
While Aya has dreams of becoming a doctor, her two best friends, Adjoua and Bintou, just like to hang out and spend their evenings dancing, drinking and flirting with boys. Their ambition is to follow Plan C: Combs, Clothes and Chasing Men! But big trouble comes to town when Adjoua realizes she’s pregnant, and the baby’s father is the spoiled son of one of the richest and most feared men in the whole country.
Movie Star Rating : 7.2 Read More
A quilted call and response. A battle of extreme extremes.
Movie Star Rating : 6 Read More
Buster, Babs and the entire 'Tiny Toons' gang decided to take a trip to Ft. Lauderdale for Spring Break. Meanwhile, Elmrya believes that Buster is the Easter Bunny, and with the help of Samuel Gerard(Tommy Lee Jones in 'The Fugitive') they go on a mission to capture Buster. Plucky tries to make a quick buck by sellin' "The Tan Meiser 6000" but quickly turns his sights on a blonde duck that passes him by. Spoofs of music videos and films of that time (1994) are some of the highlights
Movie Star Rating : 6.6 Read More
Five Neapolitan directors depict life in the city under the shadow of Mount Vesuvius for this anthology film of comedy, drama, surrealism, and political commentary.
Movie Star Rating : 5 Read More
The adventures of a little ship who has a lot of friends.
Movie Star Rating : 4.5 Read More
An eager-to-please Ticket Inspector struggles with the morality of her job after being given the following ultimatum: fine or be fired!
Movie Star Rating : 0 Read More
Helga would give anything to meet Stanton Gareth, the star of '80s Sci-Fi show Time Fighter. Simeon would give anything to get out of his costume.
Movie Star Rating : 0 Read More
In the days leading up to a possibly career-changing exhibition, a sculptor navigates her relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
Movie Star Rating : 5.9 Read More
Even Hell Has Its Heroes 2023 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Haunting of the Queen Mary 2023 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Uproar 2023 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Peter Five Eight 2024 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Windcatcher 2024 - Movies (Mar 27th)
The Truth vs. Alex Jones 2024 - Movies (Mar 27th)
Easter Evil 2024 - Movies (Mar 27th)
The Iron Claw 2023 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Kung Fu Panda 4 2024 - Movies (Mar 26th)
The Book of Clarence 2023 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Molli and Max in the Future 2023 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Ordinary Angels 2024 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Imaginary 2024 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Easter Bloody Easter 2024 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Snow Valley 2024 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Drift 2023 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Good One A Show About Jokes 2024 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Sentinel 2024 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Cessationist 2023 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Tig Notaro Hello Again 2024 - Movies (Mar 26th)
The Peasants 2023 - Movies (Mar 26th)
Gutfeld! - (Mar 28th)
The Ingraham Angle - (Mar 28th)
The Five - (Mar 28th)
MSNBC Reports Andrea Mitchell Reports - (Mar 28th)
Dimension 20 - (Mar 28th)
Resident Alien - (Mar 28th)
Allegiance - (Mar 28th)
Invincible - (Mar 28th)
The Kelly Clarkson Show - (Mar 28th)
The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down - (Mar 28th)
After Midnight - (Mar 28th)
Reality of Wrestling - (Mar 28th)
Gogglebox Australia - (Mar 28th)
Tipping Point Australia - (Mar 28th)
The Chase Australia - (Mar 28th)
Salvage Hunters- The Restorers - (Mar 28th)
Selling Houses Australia - (Mar 28th)
New Zealand Today - (Mar 28th)
Deal or No Deal - (Mar 28th)
Salvage Hunters - (Mar 28th)