Also opening in wide release this weekend is DreamWorks Animation’s “Kung Fu Panda 2,” which I’m hearing is pretty good. In a year that is likely to have Pixar bow out of its dominance in the Best Animated Feature Film category, it could be a rat-race for the finish (and potentially a five-horse race at that). If you get around to this sequel this weekend or whenever, let us know what you thought.
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42 responses to “Tell us what you thought of ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’”
Really great action sequences that beat out anything else in theaters. Mild problems like the animated sequences and slight over-abundance of action scenes are redeemed after seeing the film again. Some scenes are still irrelevant, but it’s still overall a pretty great and emotional film, dealing with some pretty deep themes.
Why in the world would you assume Pixar is going to bow out of its dominance? Any real evidence pointing to this?
Also, curious why there’s no “Midnight in Paris” post like this.
I guess he assumes that since Cars did not win best animated picture, it’s even less likely that Cars 2 will win that award.
I think it’s because of the assumption that a sequel to Pixar’s worst reviewed film won’t be anything to match its recent, and quite impressive, efforts. I dunno, the only sequels it has done so far (Toy Story 2 and 3) have improved on the original, but “Cars” wasn’t that exciting to begin with.
Speaking English, for better or worse, I think it’s understood what Kris is trying to say.
Cars 2 is a sequel to Cars, one of only two non-winning Pixar films. And since sequels to non-winning films are usually non-winners as well, this opens a possibility for someone else to take the prize. It may not be fair but since people usually consider the original Cars to be something of a second tier effort, the expectations for Cars 2 are lowered.
And what’s more, Cars lost to ‘Happy Feet’. And you might think it’s sequel has a chance of winning too.
This is where it gets tricky. Idiots writing columns like “Tintin technology is awkward for [sic] academy” forget that Happy Feet was a motion capture project. So there is a motion capture project that not only won the animated prize but also managed to beat Pixar. Here its worth adding that ‘Monster House’ was a nominee in a year of three, as well. So much for “awkwardness”.
To be sure, things really did seem to change last year with the whole “Motion capture does not automatically count as animation” thing. My understanding is that while it does make it harder to get a movie nominated, it doesn’t automatically make it ineligible. Much like with hybrids (and for crying out loud, if do they put Alvin 3 on a shortlist that leaves out the likes of Tintin, I really will be done with the whole charade) a certain percentage of “pure” animation will have to be met. Tintin has plenty of such animation, in fact, Snowy is a completely CGI character. That said, given the entirely unpredictable ways of the Academy there is just no way of knowing for sure which way it will go.
This leaves two possibilities: either Tintin is eligible, in which case it likely creams everyone else or Tintin is deemed ineligible and (guess what?) so are are Happy Feet 2 and Mars Needs Moms. So much for five nominees.
This raises an interesting question, in light of this situation – why did Kris only have Tintin listed as being “LIKELY INELIGIBLE” when it’s clear that his top 5 contender Happy Feet 2 faces the same issues?
One more thing, I am pretty sure that people at Pixar are *terrified* of a project like Tintin being successful.
So far, one person has actually said what they thought of Kung Fu Panda 2. Does this tell us anything?
It very well may, Guy ^. haha. I see that KFP2’s expected numbers for the Memorial Day weekend are 68 mill (which isn’t phenomenal). But it seems on par to do the same-ish business as the original. I do plan on seeing KFP2 tomorrow with my cousin.
On Cars 2. It may have been viewed as Pixar’s worst. But I still thought it should have beaten Happy Feet for the Oscar.
And let’s face it, this sequel will be huge. Cars is one of the most beloved Pixar creations of all. Any kid I know has watched or still watches the original Cars frequently.
And Pixar has certainly had enough time to make a sequel that’s even superior to the original.
Sorry, I mean ‘Cars 1’ may have been viewed as one of Pixar’s worst ^
RANGO WILL WIN ANIMATED OSCAR. PERIOD.
8-Why should it have beaten Happy Feet?
What bothers me is people quickly forget something … even the “worst” movie made by Pixar is still miles (forgive the pun) better than a I’d say 85% of other animated movies put into theaters these days. I mean honestly would you have wanted another Ice Age sequel rather than a Cars 2. I for one am really looking forward to it.
As for Kung Fu Panda 2? Completely a sealed lock for Best Animated Picture. Amazing fight sequences, more heart and more touching then the first one, a little less comedy but still lots of laugh out loud moments, and the best part? Gary Oldman creates probably one of the top 3 most memorable computer-animated villains thus far. Great multi-layered voice performance and great performance by the animators for this character.
Oh and Hans’ Zimmer and John Powell’s soundtrack? Amazing. I’m hoping for a second year in a row nomination for both of them for this.
Kung Fu Panda 2, I thought, was better than the first (a film I also loved). The action sequences were better and the girl next to me cried, so it can definitely move people. I liked the story a lot, but not to the point of crying, but hey, I’m numb.
m1, I simply enjoyed Cars more than Happy Feet. And I also think it had better animation. Just my opinion. :)
I mean honestly would you have wanted another Ice Age sequel rather than a Cars 2.
Honestly? I like any one of the Ice Age films more than Cars, so…
I’m always intrigued by the general lack of love for ‘Cars’.
It’s one of my favorite Pixar animated films of recent years (not quite as good as TS3, Wall-E, Finding Nemo, or even Spirited Away or HTTYD).
But I’ve always enjoyed it more than, say, Up, Ratatouille, Monsters, Inc., A Bug’s Life, KFP, or any other animated film that’s come down the pike.
I’m curious, why is it that ‘Cars’ has such a reputation? And I don’t mean something as simple as, ‘it isn’t that good’.
I guess I just don’t understand the dismissal, either. I love “Cars” very much, and think it’s quite a warm and poignant love letter to a sadly lost part of Americana, and to me it’s certainly not a lesser Pixar film in any way.
I think “Cars” gets a bad rap because of the consumer culture associated with it.
On the subject of motion capture and the Animation category of the Oscars, I remember reading an interview with James Cameron. He was asked why “Avatar” was skipped over in the animation category, and he answered that he hadn’t bothered submitting the film for that category so the issue never came up. Thus, I assume that movies are only considered for the Animation category when they’re submitted for it, which is why “Yogi Bear” made the shortlist whereas “Avatar” didn’t. So Tintin’s role in that category is probably going to be determined by whether or not it’s submitted for it.
On the subject of Kung-Fu Panda 2, I haven’t seen it yet but I’m a fan of the first. I’m happy it’s getting such positive responses so I’ll be sure to see it later this week.
I love Cars. Why does it have to be read as personal dismissal to expect it to come up short in the Oscar race (based on the sound reasoning conveyed by others here)?
Okay, back to the main topic. My 8-year old brother saw the film yesterday and enjoyed it but didn’t think it was better than the original. Make of that what you will.
As for Cars vs. Happy Feet, I like both but prefer the latter because I felt that the animation was better, it was less cliched, and the music really made the film worth seeing. They’re both better than the cringe-inducing Monster House, which was also nominated that year.
I thought Kung Fu Panda 2 was “The Dark Knight” to Kung Fu Panda’s “Batman Begins”
Bigger, better, darker, more complicated, more characters and a better story.
Throw in Gary Oldman as the villain and the movie had me sold!
Loved it all the way!
Can’t wait for the inevitable trilogy.
Oldman’s presence alone almost got me to the theatre, but I was out-voted by the rest of my family.
So to The Hangover Part II we went.
Unfunny.
Although I’m a fan of Cars, I think it has a bad reputation because it’s characters are closer to “stock” characters than most Pixar creations, and the storyline follows a more typical, generic arc.
Three words: “Feet of Fury.” – Po.
My husband and I were quoting lines to each other at breakfast this morning.
I loved it – Props to director Jennifer Yuh (story artist for Kung Fu Panda) for putting it all together.
I was surprised how dark it is – it starts early, often and a lot. The good guys suffer a lot of defeats and challenges. For me, the dark parts and accompanying music evoked the Lord of the Rings. Maybe this is the result of Guillermo del Toro’s contribution as credited consultant and exec.producer . I read that screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (“Adaptation”) did a script polish.
I wondered if KFP 2 was going to be too dark to work for kids. I saw this in 3D on Saturday in an almost empty auditorium thinking maybe the 3D surcharge kept families sticking to the 2D screen. Not to worry, Sundays are $8 3D in my theater, the parents were waiting to go then and the auditorium was full.
The kids loved it too – an impatient one said “I want to see King Fu Panda!” during the trailers. There were enough laughs (lines, visual gags), kung fu action with magnificent choreography and explosions to keep everyone – including adults – happy. (Noteworthy: I saw 8-9 adult couples without kids at 2 shows I attended, plus a 2-3 teen groups.)
Characters: I absolutely could not imagine a peacock being a villain, but if anyone could do it, Gary Oldman could – and did he deliver. He is the standout, silken menace one minute, roaring rage the next. Michelle Yeoh as Soothsayer is pitch-perfect; and Dennis Haysbert, Victor Garber and Jean-Claude Van Damme have wonderful cameos.
As for Dragon Warrior Po and the Furious Five, they are now a Team working cohesively together – kind of like a Chinese Kung-Fu Avengers for kiddies. Po isn’t quite so manic, we get hints that there’s more to Tigress than we know. In KFP, I was somewhat aware of who the voice actors were. In KFP 2, the deeper story and the more emotional connection of the voice actors to their characters made the characters real and the voice actors disappear.
I was very happy with Kung Fu Panda 2. The first was non-stop rollicking fun with a somewhat deeper background story for the villain than usual for a kid movie. This took a dark turn for for the worse and I don’t know how much darker Dreamworks can go for kids.
I’m looking forward to KPF 3 stepping up their game and elevating everything even more, developing the characters Po, (especially) Tigress, giving more time to the other three of the five, and who they come up next as the villain(s).
I liked it, about as good as the first one.
I love the 1st Kung Fu Panda, and I also love this sequel… Didn’t know that Dreamworks is good in sequel? (Shrek, ehem)
And on that year, I even liked Kung Fu Panda than Wall-E, though I must admit that Wall-E deserves the all the recognitions and praises it got…
On the issue of Cars, well seriously, as much as I am a fan of Pixar, I really didn’t liked it the first time I saw it, probably the weakest of Pixar, not because it didn’t win an Oscar, (I love Monsters Inc too) but for me I wasn’t able to feel the characters compared to other Pixar movies… While I just love how Happy Feet addressed environmental issues and felt the struggles of Mumble in the movie, plus the music! It’s not always we get to see animated characters sing and dance….
@Ligaya: Interesting that this sequel reminds you of Lord of the Rings, because the story line of the first one was so similar to Star Wars.
I don’t think Pixar cares if Cars 2 gets a nod for Best Animated Feature since it’s a movie not aimed at adult… It’s this reason why people dislike the original Cars so much, because the head of Pixar, John Lasseter, wanted to make a movie designed for his kids… Ask any young boy if they like Cars and they’ll tell you it awesome.
As for KFP2, not bad… Nothing comparable to HTTYD but up there with Shrek 2
I liked Kung Fu Panda 2 more than the first one. Strong emotional storyline, excellent animation and action and Gary Oldman…just terrific.
In regards to Cars, I like it, but it’s my least favourite Pixar feature, mainly because I find it hard to suspend disbelief for it. I can buy toys coming to life and an old man making his house float. But, there are so many un-answered questions that bother me about the Cars universe. If they don’t have drivers, why do they need doors? How do they spawn little cars? If they don’t have hands, how can they draw blueprints to construct the buildings or write newspapers?
Even though it probably won’t, I’m hoping Cars 2 answers these questions.
matsunaga, I hope you were being sarcastic when you said animated characters don’t often sing or dance… Happy Feet was excruciatingly long, and I will skip the sequel for sure. Cars was a fine movie, but I think that it just didn’t stay with people longer than a few hours after the theater. Pixar has done some lighter fare than Wall – E and Up to great effect before Cars (Monsters Inc) but Cars just didn’t work for me. That might be because I detest Larry the Cable Guy and early reports that he is the central character in Cars 2 makes me cringe. I love Pixar, but humor based around dumb Americans in foreign countries does not work for me at all. In fact, it is generally infuriating, so if Cars 2 goes that way then count me out.
Just saw KFP2.
I did not like it as much as the first. I did like the characters, the animation is absolutely stunning, Gary Oldman provided a stellar villain, and I definitely got teary-eyed at the end (really sweet moments).
All that said, I will have to be in the minority here in saying that the incessant action sequences actually lulled me to sleep at several points throughout the film. With me, whenever there is hectic, elongated, gravity-defying, non-stop motion (live-action or animated), I tend to zone out. This happened a lot with me today.
But overall, fine movie. Packed theater. The kiddies seemed into it. Went with my aunt, cousin, & two kids. My aunt couldn’t have been more bored. I hope it does good business in the coming weeks.
Thus, I assume that movies are only considered for the Animation category when they’re submitted for it, which is why “Yogi Bear” made the shortlist whereas “Avatar” didn’t.
This isn’t the issue. The Academy wouldn’t have accepted Avatar as an animated feature in any event. (Nor should they have — regardless of the ‘motion capture as animation’ debate, the fact remains that a vast portion of the film is live action.)
Actually Yogi Bear didn’t make the shortlist. They submitted it but it was denied by the academy for having too much live-action, and its denial is what led to 3 rather than 5 five nominees, as the number of eligible films was one movie short.
I would say Panda 2 is about equal to the first. Nothing at the level of Pixar or even Dreamworks’ best, but a fun movie with surprisingly good action sequences.
Having not seen Bridesmaids (which I would like to get to at some point) or Hangover 2 (which I think I will skip despite having enjoyed the original enough) I would say it is the best wide release of the summer so far. Worth checking out, particularly if really solid limited releases like Midnight in Paris and Everything Must Go haven’t come to your area.
Re Cars: I heard from my husband that Cars orginally had a stronger. more interesting storyline emphasizing environmental concerns, e.g. electric cars vs. internal combustion engines and/or oil companies, but that was dropped because it was too controversial. Anyone else hear this? That would have been more compelling for me.
(Re my previous note on KFP 2 adults-only attendance: 8-9 couples went to EACH of the 2 shows I attended, i.e. significant # of adults – to me – were interested in KFP 2 on their own.)
@John G: We’re all human, so we have some common stories. In Kung Fu Panda, the theme seems to be the hero(ine)’s journey (Star Wars), wherein s/he finds that there is no secret ingredient in the soup, there is no magic potion, the Dragon Scroll is a mirror, the Dragon Warrior is within, who we are and what we make of ourselves – not what we look like on the outside.
Po: “I just found out I’m adopted.”
Tigress: “Your father, the *goose* – this must come as a shock.”
The overarching theme of KFP 2 is finding inner peace, who you are as an adoptee, who your birth parents are and why they gave you up, and wondering what difference that makes with your adoptive parent. Another theme is that we can have unhappy beginnings but it’s what we do with the rest of our lives that matters. And that family is what we define it – much like what we learned in Lilo and Stitch, and in real life.
Themes common to both Kung Fu Panda and KFP 2 are sense of identiy, belonging, and as Snake puts it “daddy-issues” (parenting): Shifu and Tai Lung ( to a lesser extent, Tigress); Mr. Ping and Po (and his birth parents), and to some extent, Lord Shen and his parents.
***… more interesting storyline emphasizing environmental concerns, e.g. electric cars vs. internal combustion engines and/or oil companies…***
Sounds way too needlessly complicated and political. Glad they didn’t do it.
Thomas, actually wasn’t thinking of the Disney classics when I wrote that, surely there were tons of them, sorry for that.. Sorry for that lapse… I guess I just love how they put those musical numbers altogether in Happy Feet…
And the viewers can easily comprehend the movie’s message regarding environmental issues… But for me a sequel is unnecessary,
We’ll see how Happy Feet 2 and Cars 2 fare among this year’s animated sequel…
I can’t comment on Kung Fu Panda yet but I just returned from watching Rio in 3D (I wantd to make sure I see it before it leaves theaters) and I came away absolutely amazed.
What a wonderful movie! Beutiful, inventive, ambitious and is a superb demonstration of possibilities of 3D.
If this doesn’t get nominated for Best Animated Film it will be some sort of a travestry.
I second the enthusiasm for “Rio” — one of the year’s most pleasant surprises so far.
I’ll be the first person to admit surprise when Pixar, who have such a wealth of stellar titles, chose to take on “Cars” (my least favorite of theirs) with a sequel. But having said that, I foresee a conclusion after all this bashing-on a “Cars” sequel with Pixar saying “we told you so” and rubbing our face in it come Oscar time.
39-Ditto. Rio is slightly underrated by critics. Enjoyed it all the way. I hope it at least gets nominated.
Cars 2 : Atypical PIXAR product packed with some spying cars and pretty boaring firing sequences. No usual PIXAR’s funny moments and Easter eggs ! After celebrating 25 years of success, PIXAR making it’s first blunder. One more to be noted is the “Hawaiian vacation” Short is worst of all the PIXAR Shorts. Its clear now Cars 2 will lose at 2012 Academy Awards. Bad 2011 for PIXAR ☹ KFP 2 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Cars 2. It will win the Oscar race for sure !