This movie is so much better than the first film. It improves on damn near everything, with maybe one exception or two. Po is back as the titular Panda, and his fighting skills have much improved. In the first film it seemed like he was a better fighter when sparring with Master Shifu than when fighting with Tai-Lung. This was due to the roly-poly antics, bouncing around and what not. Sure it’s a kid’s movie, but can we make the Dragon Warrior a little more badass please?
Well, I think the opening with the shadow puppet play was to explain that Shen was exiled after slaughtering the pandas, and I guess that was effectively enough to have him out of commission until the events of Kung Fu Panda 2. Granted, that could be due to that 1) emotionally, Shen may’ve felt so betrayed that his own parents exiled him he actually abided by it until they’re dead and 2) he had loads and loads of cannons and was bulking up his army, he probably used the exile to his advantage to set up everything he needed for his plans to conquer China.
Also, nice review.