Kung Fu Panda 2 stands as a shining example of DreamWorks finally getting the sequel formula right. Building off of the success of the original 2008 hit, Panda 2 delivers more laughs, larger scale, finer animation, and arguably more heart. Jack Black returns as the  incompetently powerful Po the panda to battle the next stage in warfare that threatens to make hand-to-hand combat extinct. Joined by the Furious Five, the group wages war amidst the beautiful landscape of China in thrilling sequences of 3D combat that highlight the evolution of the fighting in the first film. With newcomer Jennifer Yuh at the helm, backed by the returning talents of writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger along with the full voice cast, Kung Fu Panda 2 is the latest animated film to blur the lines between the admiration from adults and kids alike, and brings bang for your buck in 3D. Hit the jump for the full review.

Yesterday I attended a DreamWorks Animation 2011 preview at the DGA in Los Angeles.  With the company getting ready to release Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss in Boots later this year, CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg took the stage and showed the assembled press the first 45 minutes of Kung Fu Panda 2, and then the first 13 minutes of Puss In Boots.   In between the footage, we got to hear Kung Fu Panda 2 director Jennifer Yuh, Jack Black, Antonio Banderas, Puss In Boots director Chris Miller, and Guillermo del Toro talk about their films.  Did you know del Toro is very involved in Puss In Boots?  He’s also executive producing Rise of the Guardians for the studio and helping out on all their animated movies.  Needless to say, this is very good news.

Anyway, shortly after the presentation ended, I recorded a video blog with Peter from /Film and our thoughts on the footage and what we learned are after the jump.  And if you missed my article detailing all the DreamWorks Animation movies through 2014, you can check it out here.

A new television spot for Kung Fu Panda 2 has landed online.  Although it only runs around 15 seconds, it features what looks to be some actual footage from the film (unlike its “staring contest” teaser trailer).  For those new to the program, Kung Fu Panda 2 stars the vocal talents of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Dustin Hoffman, and Gary Oldman.  Jennifer Yuh directs the sequel from a script by original scribes Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger.

To check out the clip, hit the jump.  Kung Fu Panda 2 hits 3D theaters on May 27th, 2011.