I CAME in contact with pure awesomeness.
Kung Fu Panda 2, the sequel about the fat, furry and loveable Dragon Warrior, is much better than the first instalment which was released in 2008.
I had become an instant fan of the movie when awesomeness touched me for the first time and sitting through the second part was like bathing in awesomeness.
I like repeating that, let's say it again, awesomeness.
In the first instalment, the lead characters were nicely put together, all of the sight gags and a few of the one-liners were quite inspired, the vocal performances were great, and while the story arc was a perfectly bog standard hero's journey, it was done just right, and then all wrapped up in fun fur.
And why would it not, the cast of the movie alone is set to rock the socks of a movie goer.
Jack Black as the lead, and then there's Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, David Cros and James Hong.
The sequel goes a step further and even has Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh and Jean-Claude Van Damme. I guess it was the right choice for the makers to use these stars instead of cheap radio voices.
Getting the formula to work a second time is a tricky business. Stick too close to the original, and you'll be accused of just cashing in on the first film's success, while bringing nothing new to the table.
But Kung Fu Panda 2 does much more, so much more, I cant wait for a third instalment.
While the film does not lose its sense of humour, fun and the Jack Black style of comedy, the storyline unlike other sequels goes a bit deeper.
Come to the think of it, animated features are now largely enjoyed by adults compared to yesteryears when animated features focused more on kids.
In this day and age, the present crops of animated films are major cinematic affairs, spanning the demographic ranges of gender, age, ethnicity, and whatever else separates vast people groups.
So it was not surprising to see, the cinema filled with more adults than children.
And one suggestion, if accompanying children, stock up on the snacks. Just as the sequel was to be released, I had to endure again, watching the first part played on the DVD at home. This was a silent indication by the plotting minions they want to be in the cinemas.
Kung Fu Panda is a personal favourite of mine because while I referred to a blast from the past as my Tiger, I was the teddy, something to do with shape and size, I guess.
Later, a friend from London had given me the tag as the chocolate bear; hey being brown ain't that bad.
I have also found that the movie's surprisingly poignant, sometimes serious story addresses the conflict between tradition and modernisation, as well as Po's discovery of a long-hidden tragedy and his journey to accept an unusual upbringing.
Not surprisingly, there's plenty of action including explosions, swordfights and lots of kung fu fisticuffs.
Scenes involving parent-child separation could also be upsetting for kids.
Unlike the first film, this one is offered in 3D, which can make some of the sequences feel more intense.
However, the movie also has some positive messages to be learnt from it apart from the fun and frolic.
It offers positive lessons about friendship and teamwork and family is important, but it's not always defined by blood.
I also very firmly believe that Po is a great example of someone who must learn to accept and resolve complicated personal relationships. At first, he refuses to acknowledge some hard truths, but eventually he's able to attain inner peace, and the results are powerful.
Plot
The movie starts by telling the story of Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), heir of the peacock clan that ruled Gongmen City in China. He sought to harness the power of fireworks as a weapon to rule the land.
He learns that a black and white warrior will be the end of him so he kills all giant pandas.
Years later, our hero is protecting the Valley of Peace when he beats up Shen's wolf bandits when a sign on the wolf's armour caused him to have a flashback of his past.
He is told by his goose father of how he came to be part of his life.
Master Shifu warns Po of Shen's plans to kill kung fu by gunpowder. Po and the Furious Five go off to fight the evil Shen and his evil henchmen.
But he is warned by Master Shifu that the only way for him to defeat the new enemy is to find inner peace.
The ending does hint of another sequel.
Rating 4 out of 5