Kung Fu Panda 2Movie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 67 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
6 OK for kids 6+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 90
    The Hollywood Reporter | Todd McCarthy

    It all moves along briskly, with a degree of visual grace and a solid feel for 3D. Read full review

  • 90
    Variety |

    Once again, the DreamWorks team demonstrates that humor is the primary weapon in its arsenal. Read full review

  • 88
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    The animation is elegant, the story is much more involving than in the original, and there's boundless energy. Read full review

  • 83
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    At times, Kung Fu Panda 2 suggests "Bambi" redone as an episode of Oprah. Yet it's a more-than-worthy sequel. Read full review

  • 80
    Arizona Republic | Kerry Lengel

    A precisely calibrated crowd-pleasing machine, balancing action, comedy and just the bare minimum of pathos. Read full review

  • 80
    Village Voice | Nick Schager

    Jennifer Yuh Nelson's sequel delivers a bevy of superpowered set pieces that are dexterous and delirious, as well as tonally confident. Read full review

  • 80
    Los Angeles Times | Betsy Sharkey

    The big action pieces, particularly the final face-off, are masterful both for their cleverness in bringing down the house and the detail jammed into every frame. Even composers Hans Zimmer, who's scored a zillion movies, and John Powell seem to be having more fun than usual. Read full review

  • 75
    Philadelphia Inquirer | Steven Rea

    Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who oversaw the elegant title sequences from the first film, likewise gives Kung Fu Panda 2's series of flashbacks a different look, harking back to Chinese shadow puppetry and delicate watercolors. With its mix of vibrant CG and classical elements, the movie dazzles. Read full review

  • 75
    USA Today | Scott Bowles

    Black is clearly suited for the role of a modern-day Inspector Clouseau, a hero clown who can't help but save the day. Read full review

  • 70
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    Accomplishes the depressingly familiar mathematical trick of being both more and less than its predecessor. Read full review

View more reviews for Kung Fu Panda 2 on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 6+ Panda hero saves the day in surprisingly deep family film.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this sequel to 2008's hit animated film about an unlikely martial arts hero returns to China, where Po (again voiced by Jack Black) and the rest of his kung fu clan must defeat a new villain who's armed with gunpowder and cannons. The movie's surprisingly poignant, sometimes serious story addresses the conflict between tradition and modernization, as well as Po's discovery of a long-hidden tragedy and his journey to accept an unusual upbringing. Not surprisingly, there's plenty of action -- including explosions, swordfights, and lots of kung fu fisticuffs. Scenes involving parent-child separation could also be upsetting for kids. Unlike the first film, this one is offered in 3-D, which can make some of the sequences feel more intense.
  • Families can talk about family. What do you think about Po's relationship with his dad? Do you think a blood link is the most important factor in defining family?
  • What does Po learn in this movie? How does that compare to what he learned in the first one?
  • Do you think the film paints an unrealistic picture of ancient traditions? Is it possible to stand in the way of progress?
The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true2 Educational value: Offers positive lessons about friendship and teamwork.
  • message true4 Positive messages: The main message is that family is important, but it's not always defined by blood: The people who love and nurture you are also part of your family. The film also focuses on the need to let go of ancient slights that can only drag you down and instead seek to achieve inner peace.
  • rolemodels true4 Positive role models: Po is a great example of someone who must learn to accept -- and resolve -- complicated personal relationships. At first he refuses to acknowledge some hard truths, but eventually he's able to attain inner peace, and the results are powerful.
What to watch for
  • violence false3 Violence and scariness: Plenty of hand-to-hand combat. The fight scenes are fast and furious, but hardly anybody seems to get injured. An important theme here is modernization, as the martial arts warriors must face off against an opponent who's armed with gunpowder and cannons. Scenes involving a baby Po being separated from his parent (and the parent's implied death) may upset some kids.
  • sex false0 Sexy stuff: Not an issue
  • language false0 Language: Not an issue
  • consumerism false2 Consumerism: No product placement within the film, but expect plenty of merchandise tie-ins.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Looking for more reviews? Movies.com Critics Say:

Dave White

4.0

Dave White Profile See Dave White's Profile

Po still packs a punch. Read full review See Dave White's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

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