Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) Brings the Bible to Life
Author: Bob Etier
One of the many things audiences might expect from the December 13, 2011 (“Panda 2sday”), DVD/Blu-ray release of Kung Fu Panda 2 probably isn’t a visit to scripture, yet its story echoes elements of the story of Moses, whom you may remember from another film, The Prince of Egypt (1998), also from Dreamworks. However, Kung Fu Panda 2 is in no way a religious film. It does not feature bible stories, commandments, or miracles.
What Kung Fu Panda 2 does feature is beautiful artwork and an in incredible voice cast that includes Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber, Paul Mazursky, and Lauren Tom. With all the talent behind the visuals and vocals, it’s sad that the story is so disappointing. Kung Fu Panda 2 is an action film, filled with kung fu fighting (and rated PG as a result), and the story is a device that ties the action scenes together. For those who like a good story and find action to be secondary, it tends towards boring. The plot can be summed up in one sentence: some good guys fight with some bad guys, and the good guys win (which is not a plot spoiler; it’s expected).
Despite the story, Kung Fu Panda 2 was an awesome box office moneymaker, ranking in the top five films worldwide. Kids love the characters, the action, good vs. evil, and the corny jokes, and will love the DVD/Blu-ray/Digital gift pack which includes Kung Fu Panda 2 and a second feature, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters, and two on-line memberships to Kung Fu Panda World, an “on-line virtual game world where kids create avatars, play games with their favorite characters, win points towards earning a kung fu black belt, chat with friends and more!” The membership is good through April 30, 2012. There are also lots of bonus features as well.
