Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Kung Fu Panda 2 AND All Hail Thraxus, Box Office Champ

So I was a little brow beaten after not loving The Hangover Part II. Fortunately, I did have the opportunity to take in Kung Fu Panda 2 on Sunday. Wow…what a fun movie. The concept of a world full of animals that talk, interact, and even do Kung Fu, is not new. But this film overshadows the first film, with the feel of a more true to word martial arts film.

The original Panda was very much a coming of age story for Po, voiced by Jack Black, as he journeyed towards his place as the Dragon Warrior. In Panda 2, the Dragon Warrior is in full effect and while there is still a great deal of physical comedy to his fighting style, his skills are also more refined.

All of the original voice cast is back…Angelina Jolie (Tigress), Seth Rogen (Mantis), Lucy Lui (Snake), Jackie Chan (Monkey) and David Cross (Crane), reprising their role as the Furious Five.

Done with perfection are the choreographed running scenes, usually followed by epic battles.

The main baddie in this offering is Shen, a Peacock, who is voiced by Gary Oldman. Great bad guy that plays intricately in Po’s history and the resolution of that conflict certainly has opened the door for Panda 3. If they can create something on par with this one, I’m in.

The remainder of the supporting voice cast is also excellent, Vincent Garber, Dennis Haysbert, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride, and even Jean-Claude Van Damme, and James Hong.


A truly enjoyable trip to the theater, I think the boys behind Hangover Part II could have learned something from Dreamworks. Shrek may have toppled off the tracks, but this second outing for Panda both upped the ante and created a new world for the viewers to enjoy.

4 of 5 Horns for Kung Fu Panda 2.

I will hopefully get the Box Office Challenge for the week up soon, but I may be sporadic in my posts through next Friday as I have a busy week coming up. You may be surprised to learn that this little writing gig doesn’t pay all the bills. Sometimes a boy’s gotta work.

For this week…

BOX OFFICE WEEKEND RESULTS
1. The Hangover Part II $85.9 million
2. Kung Fu Panda 2 $47.6 million
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides $39.8 million
4. Bridesmaids $16.5 million
5. Thor $9.5 million
6. Fast Five $6.4 million
7. Midnight in Paris $1.9 million (YOWZA: $33,268 per screen average!)
8. Something Borrowed $1.8 million
9. Jumping the Broom $1.82 million
10 . Rio $1.8 million

THRAXXUS PICKS FOR THE WEEKEND PERFECT SCORE: 15 POINTS
1. The Hangover 2 (3)
2. Kung-Fu Panda 2 (3)
3. Pirates 4 (3)
4. Bridesmaids (3)
5. Thor (3)

REEL RHINO PICKS FOR THE WEEKEND: 13 POINTS
1. Kung-Fu Panda 2 (2)
2. The Hangover 2 (2)
3. Pirates 4 (3)
4. Bridesmaids (3)
5. Thor (3)

KENFU PICKS FOR THE WEEKEND: 11 POINTS
1. Kung-Fu Panda (2)
2. Pirates 4 (2)
3. Hangover 2 (1)
4. Bridesmaids (3)
5. Thor (3)

JUNIOR PICKS FOR THE WEEKEND 11 POINTS
1. The Hangover 2 (3)2. Pirates of the Caribbean (2)
3. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2)
4. Thor (2)
5. Bridesmaids (2)

Congratulations Thraxxus…you have the first ever perfect score. At your bidding, I will prepare a review for a movie of your choice. I am your humble servant…for this week…

(cue maniacal laughter while I tap my fingers together in a menacing way)

Till later, take care…

Reel Rhino

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