movie: Kung Fu Panda 2

Very cute, very well done and definitely worth seeing.

I particularly loved the extreme style of animation they used for the dream/memory sequences - very visual and striking and quite different so that you KNEW you were in a dream/vision/whatever.

A little bit predictable and full of movie tropes, but well written and enjoyable - in that yea, I could see it coming, but I enjoyed the journey very much. Also, this is from an adult perspective and a long time movie goer. Some of the foreshadowing was story necessary, and I'm sure needed for the younger audience, so that they could experience the full journey the character makes. And that's not to say this is 'just for kids' because its not. I think all ages will enjoy the story.

Stay through the end credits - the entire credits are illustrated and very pretty. No extra at the end, but unlike some movies in which the first bit is illustrated and then it goes to a normal style - this stays illustrated.

Also.. hints that maybe they have plans or are working on #3 - which I heartily endorse!

Two thumbs up, and I'd be willing to see it again.

Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is definitely a popcorn movie. Enjoyable, amusing, loud and then it's over. It's not as deep as the earlier ones, and unfortunately, missing something - an element of surprise, but still worth seeing. Great escapism.

I do think that Jack makes a better 'side' character rather than a 'main' character. In the other 3 movies, he was off doing his own thing while everyone else was doing their thing and occasionally, would be doing something really funny to the side or behind everyone else trying to be serious. Here... he's the main focus, and I think the movie suffers from that.

And they included a 'scene' from the Pirates Disney ride. LOL.

Also, the mermaids were interesting.. but kind of tacked on. There was a whole side plot that sort of fizzled and left open that I'd have liked to seen what happened.

Worth seeing yes.