MovieChat Forums > Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) Discussion > Most underrated movie of 2011?

Most underrated movie of 2011?

posted 13 years ago by Erazer528
25 replies | jump to latest

I think so. And I'm not talking about the movie's success - it was a huge hit worldwide - I'm talking about how it's not really regarded as the great movie that it is.

Even though it got fairly good reviews, I have yet to see a Top 10 list of 2011 where it got a place. I have even seen "Top 20 of 2011" lists with movies like "Captain America" or "Thor" - but nope, Kung Fu Panda 2 is nowhere to be found. It seems that most critics just forgot about it, or worse, haven't even seen it. And that's just a shame.

Just that this is clear, I'm not saying that it's perfect. Some of the gags didn't work as well, and a few scenes may have been kinda forced. But the stuff that does work in this movie, works REALLY well, and some of it is just amazing. That scene in Po's old village, the combination of a raindrop with an artistic 2D-Flashback scene and John Powell/Hans Zimmer music? One of the best scenes I've ever seen in a movie, and I'm totally serious about that. Talking about the 2D artwork - especially this is just fantastic about the animation. The 3D is great as usual, but they also show that the "old" technique still has its place nowadays. This also makes the dark scenes less frightening to younger viewers, which is absolutely necessary, considering that DreamWorks really took risks putting all these dark themes in a family movie. And of course, Gary Oldman as the villain was awesome, Jack Black was perfect as Po, and all the rest of the cast did a very good job.

I really hope I'm not the only one who considers this as one of the best movies of 2011, and one of the best animated movies in general. Funny, entertaining and yet dark and touching - definitely one of DreamWorks best films. This may not be as perfect as "How to Train your Dragon", but I really think it deserves to be recognised more.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] reid_alexa 13 years ago

lol at your post! no offense.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] jawsnnn 13 years ago

Its not a "great" movie. Pretty good, enjoyable and fun. But not great on the account of being a bit too predictable.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] jawsnnn 13 years ago

Dude you got my point. Thats enough for me.

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[–] jkc09 13 years ago

I don't know if predictability is a good measure for a "great" movie, especially not in this case.

******************SPOILERS BELOW**********************

The entire movie sets up the perfect moment for Po to find 'inner peace' by treating a firework-cannonball-thing as a drop of water, as shown in the very beginning. It ties everything together, and - though the ending can be guessed fairly easily - the journey to the end is very enjoyable, ESPECIALLY that incredible scene at Po's old village.

Think about Finding Nemo - regarded as a great movie, in animation/family terms. Nemo asks Marlin about sea turtles and sharks very early on, Marlin is a father that has become terrified of the ocean an thereby terrified of letting his son explore it, and Nemo is taken away. He's gonna meet sharks and sea turtles. He's gonna find his son. And he's gonna change and loosen up. You can figure that out right away. But the COURSE of the movie - the JOURNEY - is visually amazing, filled with memorable characters, and the ending - though predictable - is satisfying.

Sorry for the length - just don't like to see Dreamworks movies get caught in Pixar's shadow. Shark Tale and the Shrek sequels were their worst decisions, and the former movie - I think - is the reason this MUCH BETTER Jack Black Dreamworks series was snubbed.

[–] jawsnnn 13 years ago

I kind of agree with you. This is not a mystery movie, so the predictability does not hurt it that much. But - I have already mentioned this in some post elsewhere - the whole prophecy thing really did not make any sense for me.

Honestly, I do not like nitpicking on this point as I really liked the movie. It was just not "great". Of course, YMMV.

[–] McSwarek 12 years ago

Why didn't it make any sense? It's a motive as old as the world, or at least as Greek tragedies. The character hears a prophecy, does everything in their power to prevent it from coming true, but in the end, it turns out they were running towards doom rather than away from it.

[–] jawsnnn 12 years ago

You answered your question. It does not make any sense because it has been done to death and it sillies the plot by laying out all the cards in the opening scenes. Still in a movie like this - which is primarily aimed at kids and young adults - and is full of nicely executed and enjoyable scenes, you can choose to ignore it. To each his own.

[–] McSwarek 12 years ago

Well, "not making any sense" and "overdone" aren't equivalents. :)
You might criticise for it being a cliche. On the other hand, I can't really remember seeing the motive of fatum so clearly inspired by the Greek tradition, used in a children's movie before. I thought it was an original choice of a storyline.

[–] reid_alexa 13 years ago

LOL at your post.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] reid_alexa 13 years ago

DO IT! ;)

[–] reid_alexa 13 years ago

Also, you have posted quite a few of the same things. "lol at your post" which is a reportable offense, so I too will report you :)

[–] Blazemane 13 years ago

I haven't looked across nearly enough best-of-2011 movie lists to agree with you based on them alone, but I've kinda gotten that feeling, too. It didn't seem like Kung Fu Panda 2 got brought up much in the media, even near its release.

Yes Rico, kaboom.

[–] thecrashplace 13 years ago

I agree with you. It's a fantastic movie.

[–] roonil_wazlib17 13 years ago

YES. Yesyesyesyesyesyes.

How on earth can this movie be so forgotten?? It was the GOOD sequel of 2011. Well, along with Harry Potter. Definitely one of the best films this year I've seen. And it's so beautiful.

[–] scottm2 13 years ago

Yes it's a great movie, but it's also the BEST non-IMAX 3D Blu-Ray out there. From the fire red factory scenes to the impeccable 2D flashback views (in a 3D movie), this one really shows off what they can do these days.

IMAX Hubble and Under the Sea are still the best 3D movies period.

[–] xellos49698 12 years ago

Kung Fu Panda 2 was a good movie, however listed in the top 10 of 2011 might be a stretch.

[–] water-jj 12 years ago

Totally agree, it's an awesome awesome movie, not sure what's it's so underrated, again, there are lots of movie are overrated, i think the reason been western cultures do not want to see a movie that filled with foreign cultures and goodies to be one of the major hits in their countries

[–] abrady8103 12 years ago

I do think it is an underrated movie, but I am glad that it did well enough for a sequel to be made. This one kind of ended on a cliffhanger with Po's father realizing that he is still alive.

[–] Falcon90 12 years ago

Should have won Best Animated Feature easily...

[–] worstnameeverrightnow 12 years ago

underrated?? pfft! this movie is the exact opposite of underrated.