Cinefantastique Spotlight Podcast: Kung Fu Panda 2

Ready for another visit from the most awesome martial arts master ever? Well, ready or not, Po, the legendary Dragon Warrior (and roly-poly panda) is back in this follow-up to the well-received Kung Fu Panda.

And this time Po (voice of Jack Black) and his compatriots, the Furious Five -- Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu), and Crane (David Cross) -- are facing a challenge that threatens the whole of China: Lord Chen, a power-mad peacock with abandonment issues and a well-stocked armory of newly-invented cannons to back up his claim to the throne. Can Po overcome this threat by confronting the secret of his past that binds him inextricably to Lord Shen? And will audiences find Kung Fu Panda 2 an exciting and innovative blend of Hong Kong action with energetic CG animation, or is this just another sequel that's satisfied to serve up more of the same? Join Cinefantastique Online's Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they debate the issue.

Enjoyed the show? Dan Persons delves further into the influences and artistry of Kung Fu Panda 2 in his full-length critique, The Sublime Syncretism of Kung Fu Panda 2. Read it on your Kindle.