I've seen 'Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)' many times over the years, and each time I've felt differently about it. For some reason, I've never been all that enthusiastic about it... until today. It's great. While it isn't as strong as its predecessor (very little is), it's a really entertaining and well-rounded experience that's every bit as funny, exciting and emotionally affecting as you'd hope. That last point is actually the flick's most unexpected - and arguably successful - element; I don't think anyone would think a sequel to a film about a silly, kung fu fighting panda would include a devastating backstory involving pseudo genocide and an abandoned baby that genuinely gives your tear ducts something to do. The emotional journey that Po goes on is really satisfying, not to mention surprisingly mature, and it drives the whole narrative in a way that makes every scene seem entirely necessary. The characters are given just the right amount of attention and come out as complete individuals because of it, their arcs feeding into the central themes in increasingly fulfilling ways. The prophecy-paranoid villain, in particular, is a fantastic foil to the go-with-the-flow hero, and the fact that every action he takes to avoid his fate only further cements its inevitability is really powerful. It helps that he's played by the amazing Gary Oldman, who goes full tilt and delivers an entertaining performance that's equally as frightening as it is scene-chewing. The other voice work is all great, of course, but Oldman stands out as the highlight, followed closely by the perfectly cast Jack Black. On top of all its story success, the picture is just an absolute blast filled with expertly crafted action scenes. It's really well paced, and is also proprely funny on more than one occasion. The colourful visuals are beautiful and the iconic score is as transcendent as ever. Ultimately, this is a brilliant sequel that's well crafted in every area. It isn't as good as the first one, but it's a still joy throughout. It's a delight.