Kung Fu Panda 2 DVD Review

The Kung Fu Panda series has to be one of those movies that I think kids and adults both enjoy. I know I loved Kung Fu Panda and was excited to see the 2nd installment. Plus knowing the kiddos just loved the adventures and were captivated by the movements and bright colors when they were younger (or in some cases not even born yet when the first one came out!). Its pretty special time though to be able to watch a movie that makes the kids happy and the adults entertained.

Kung Fu Panda 2 was released on DVD & Blu-Ray on December 13. I got my copy of the Awesome 2 pack around that time. But between the holidays and everyone being sick, my review is a little behind. Sorry about that!

Jack Black is back as Po in DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 2, the hilarious and action-packed “winning sequel” to the Academy Award-nominated original film. In Kung Fu Panda 2, Po and the Furious Five set off on his first big challenge since becoming the Dragon Warrior. When his new evil nemesis has taken down the legendary three kung fu masters, Po is the only one left who can save China, save kung fu, and save the bunnies! You’ll laugh out loud as you watch Po try to find his way, and be on the edge of your seat as he fights the most epic kung fu battle ever.

Featuring an all-star cast of voice talent including Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride and Jean-Claude Van Damme, KUNG FU PANDA 2 will also be available on a single-disc DVD and in the Kung Fu Panda Collection on either DVD or Blu-ray, which includes both movies, Kung Fu Panda:  Secrets of the Masters, two free online game memberships to Kung Fu Panda World, and loads of additional fun.

DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 Awesome Double DVD Pack
The Kung Fu Panda 2 Awesome Double DVD Pack delivers a punch with smashing features including:

Disc 1:
•    “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness”—See the debut of an episode of Nickelodeon’s brand new television series.
•    Kickin’ It with the Cast—Meet the new faces who have joined Po’s journey including
Gary Oldman, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber and Michelle Yeoh and catch up with the returning cast.
•    Deleted Scenes—Check out three scenes with director Jennifer Yuh Nelson.
•    Filmmakers’ Commentary—Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, producer Melissa Cobb, production designer Raymond Zibach and supervising animator, kung fu choreographer and story artist Rodolphe Guenoden discuss the making of the film.
•    World of DreamWorks Animation—Enjoy promos and more.
•    Previews
•    Sneak Peek—A first look at DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular.
Disc 2:
Kung Fu Panda:  Secrets of the Masters— Po’s all-new adventure.
Additional bonus features:
•    Panda Stories—A look at the animals that inspired Kung Fu Panda and footage of Jack Black’s visit to the Atlanta Zoo to meet Po’s real-life namesake.
•    Kung Fu Shuffle—Master Shifu teaches the best way to find a hidden radish in an update of the classic shell game.
•    Ni Hao—Learn Chinese!  Choose from more than 50 Kung Fu Panda-inspired words and learn how to say and draw the symbol in Chinese.
•    DVD-ROM:
o    Legend of the Wu Sisters Game—This exciting game features the three feline villains from Secrets of the Masters.
o    Printables—Coloring pages, connect the dots, 3D fortune tellers, stand-up 3D characters, pencil toppers and mazes!

Kung Fu Panda World:
•    Get two free memberships—each good for game play through April 2012 and valued at $5.95 each per month—to the online 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!  Membership codes must be redeemed by and free membership will expire on 4/30/12.  Additional restrictions apply.

DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 Awesome Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Pack
The Kung Fu Panda 2 Awesome Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Pack includes the following:
Disc 1 (Blu-ray):
Kung Fu Panda 2
Kung Fu Panda:  Secrets of the Masters
Blu-ray Exclusive bonus features:
•    Animation Inspiration—Follow Po and the Furious Five on their journey throughout China!  See footage of real locations that served as inspiration for the film and learn fun, kid-friendly facts about China.
•    The Animators’ Corner—Features interviews with creators, animators, cast and crew, along with storyboards, music and commentary.
•    Trivia Track—Pop up trivia, Po style.
Additional bonus features:
•    “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness”
•    Kickin’ It with the Cast
•    Deleted Scenes
•    Panda Stories
•    Kung Fu Shuffle
•    Ni Hao
•    Filmmakers’ Commentary
•    World of DreamWorks Animation
•    Previews
•    Sneak Peek

Disc 2 (DVD):
Kung Fu Panda 2
Digital Copy

Kung Fu Panda World:
•    Get two free memberships—each good for game play through April 2012 and valued at $5.95 each per month—to the online 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!  Membership codes must be redeemed by and free membership will expire on 4/30/12.  Additional restrictions apply.

Final Thoughts: I am amazed by the value here in this 2-pack. From the movie, to the games and the extras it is well worth the $25 price tag. Its hours and hours worth of entertainment. Plus this 2 pack comes along with a digital copy. Which I just love. The kiddos are always wanting to hold the dvd or put it in, but they always drop it. This way I keep a copy scratch free and they have one to play frisbee with. LOL

Kung Fu Panda 2 does a great job of setting things up for Kung Fu Panda 3. However Kung Fu Panda 2 does a good job of being a great sequel, best I have seen in awhile. I can see why it made over 650 million globally and was such a huge hit. The story does continue from the original Kung Fu Panda, which was another plus. The same cast, so familiar voices and characters for the kiddos. The story of Po setting to fight the new bad guy, only to realize that this guy was there when his parents abandoned him. Then Po goes off to defeat the peacock, but also finds the answers he desperately needs at the same time. In the end you have Po's real daddy saying his dad is alive. Which means part 3 is coming and should be just as good as the first two.

Now we sit back and enjoy Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Panda 2, while we wait impatiently for the third installment. Anyone else with me?