Panda vs. Peacock

     When we first met Po (Jack Black) with the release of Kung Fu Panda in 2008, he was just a pudgy, ignorant panda who somehow managed to both be chosen as the legendary Dragon Warrior, and defeat the evil Tai Lung, without even knowing kung fu.
     Now, in Kung Fu Panda 2, Po and Tigress (Angelina Jolie) lead the Furious Five, consisting of  Tigress, Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), Crane (David Cross), and Mantis (Seth Rogen).  They embark on a quest to save China from the evil Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), who also happens to be a peacock.  Po and Tigress complement each other perfectly -- hardcore, no-nonsense Tigress, and Po, getting the job done (to his own surprise) while being stupidly comical.  We get to know the members of the furious five better in this film; while they spent most of the first Kung Fu Panda avoiding and shunning Po, Kung Fu Panda 2 is nothing but teamwork and joking around, as we learn from some of the funnier animals.
     While all of this is going on, Po starts to remember some of the depressing memories buried within himself.  He searches to discover who he is, where he came from, and what happened to his parents.  
     Though each of these ventures is a worthy plot, both together is a bit excessive for one movie.  Kung Fu Panda 2 ends up having too much happening in too little time.  Even so, it's a fine sequel and an entertaining movie for all ages.