Kung Fu Panda 2

Kung Fu Panda 2
Name	Kung Fu Panda 2
Director	Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Producer	Melissa Cobb
Writer	Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Starring	Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michelle Yeoh, Victor Garber, Danny McBride, Dennis Haysbert, Lucy Liu
Music	Hans Zimmer, John Powell
Studio	DreamWorks Animation
Released	May 26, 2011

Kung Fu Panda 2 is a computer-animated action comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who worked with Melissa Cobb as the producer. The film features the voice talents of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michelle Yeoh, Victor Garber, Danny McBride, Dennis Haysbert, and Lucy Liu, and is a sequel to the 2008 film Kung Fu Panda. The movie's story was written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, and the music was composed by Hans Zimmer and John Powell, who also worked on the score for Shrek, Madagascar, and How to Train Your Dragon. The film's animation was created by DreamWorks Animation studios, which also produced Antz, Shrek 2, and Monsters vs. Aliens.

Plot

The plot of Kung Fu Panda 2 takes place after the events of the first film, with Po (voiced by Jack Black) living his dream as the Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace and hanging out with his friends Tigress (voiced by Angelina Jolie), Monkey (voiced by Jackie Chan), Viper (voiced by Lucy Liu), Mantis (voiced by Seth Rogen), and Crane (voiced by David Cross). However, a new villain emerges in the form of Lord Shen (voiced by Gary Oldman), a powerful and ruthless peacock who seeks to conquer all of China using his deadly cannons. Po must stop Lord Shen and his minions, including Wolf Boss (voiced by Danny McBride) and Boss Wolf's wolf pack, with the help of his friends and his mentor Master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman). Along the way, Po discovers a dark secret from his past, which is connected to Lord Shen and the destruction of the panda village, and must come to terms with his true identity and his destiny as the Dragon Warrior. The film features action-packed sequences, including a thrilling chase through the streets of China and an epic battle between Po and Lord Shen's army, with the help of Soothsayer (voiced by Michelle Yeoh) and Master Ox (voiced by Dennis Haysbert).

Production

The production of Kung Fu Panda 2 began in 2008, with Jennifer Yuh Nelson as the director and Melissa Cobb as the producer. The film's story was written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, who also worked on the first film, and the screenplay was developed by DreamWorks Animation's writers, including Charlie Kaufman and Ethan Coen. The film's animation was created by DreamWorks Animation studios, which used advanced computer-generated imagery (CGI) techniques to bring the characters and environments to life. The film's music was composed by Hans Zimmer and John Powell, who worked with Lorne Balfe and Halli Cauthery to create the score. The film's voice cast, including Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and Dustin Hoffman, recorded their lines at DreamWorks Animation's studios in Glendale, California, and the film's sound effects were created by Soundelux and Dolby Laboratories. The film was edited by Clare Knight and Kent Beyda, and the visual effects were supervised by Ken Bielenberg and Doug Cooper.

Characters

The characters in Kung Fu Panda 2 are diverse and complex, with each one having their own unique personality and backstory. Po (voiced by Jack Black) is the main protagonist, a lazy but lovable panda who becomes the Dragon Warrior. Tigress (voiced by Angelina Jolie) is a tough and skilled tigress who is also a member of the Furious Five, a group of kung fu masters who protect the Valley of Peace. Monkey (voiced by Jackie Chan) is a quick and agile monkey who is also a member of the Furious Five, and Viper (voiced by Lucy Liu) is a sly and seductive viper who is also a member of the group. Mantis (voiced by Seth Rogen) is a small but deadly mantis who is also a member of the Furious Five, and Crane (voiced by David Cross) is a tall and gentle crane who is also a member of the group. Lord Shen (voiced by Gary Oldman) is the main antagonist, a powerful and ruthless peacock who seeks to conquer all of China using his deadly cannons. Other characters in the film include Master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman), a wise and skilled red panda who is Po's mentor, and Soothsayer (voiced by Michelle Yeoh), a wise and mysterious goat who helps Po on his journey.

Release

Kung Fu Panda 2 was released on May 26, 2011, in the United States and Canada, and on June 10, 2011, in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The film was distributed by Paramount Pictures and was released in 3D and IMAX 3D formats. The film's marketing campaign was handled by DreamWorks Animation and Paramount Pictures, and included trailers, TV spots, and promotional partnerships with companies such as McDonald's and Toys "R" Us. The film's premiere was held at the Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2011, and the film was also screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Los Angeles Film Festival. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 13, 2011, and was also made available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon Video.

Reception

Kung Fu Panda 2 received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its stunning animation, engaging storyline, and lovable characters. The film holds a 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 172 reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. The film also holds a 67 out of 100 score on Metacritic, based on 34 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". The film was a commercial success, grossing over $165 million in the United States and over $500 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2011. The film received several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, and won several awards, including the Annie Award for Best Animated Feature and the Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing.

Music

The music for Kung Fu Panda 2 was composed by Hans Zimmer and John Powell, who worked with Lorne Balfe and Halli Cauthery to create the score. The film's soundtrack features a mix of traditional Chinese music and modern electronic music, and includes several memorable themes, including the Dragon Warrior theme and the Furious Five theme. The film's score was performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony and was recorded at the Sony Scoring Stage in Culver City, California. The soundtrack was released on May 24, 2011, and features 18 tracks, including the end credits song "Dumpling Warrior" performed by Jay Chou and Patrick Brasca. The film's music was widely praised by critics, with several reviewers noting that the score was one of the film's strongest elements. The film's music was also nominated for several awards, including the Annie Award for Best Music in an Animated Feature Production and the Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing in a Feature Film.

Category:Computer-animated films Category:Action comedy films Category:DreamWorks Animation films Category:Films set in China Category:Kung fu films Category:Sequel films