Is there any comeback from this?
If you ever think to yourself that you've hit rock bottom, just remember, someone decided a sequel to Panda Plan was a good idea. Ditching its predecessor's Die Hard in a Zoo setting and obsession with the panda symbolising China's sovereignty, Panda Plan 2 settles for a fanciful jungle adventure that's loud, artificial and painfully unfunny. The CGI, particularly surrounding the pandas, all of whom somehow look even worse than the original film, veers into distractingly cartoonish territory; instead of magical, it feels painfully manufactured. It all looks more like a theme park attraction than a believable world, probably down to Derek Hui's horrendously flat direction, with little weight in its camerawork or action. The pacing drags despite constant action, and the story feels stitched together from thin plot devices rather than genuine narrative momentum. Chan at least remains somewhat likeable as the film plays to his strengths as a physical comedian. Unfortunately, he's stuck in a script that reduces him to repetitive slapstick, uninspired gags, and a seemingly endless stream of fart jokes. It all feels incredibly sad, especially following a high point with The Shadow's Edge last year. Ultimately, The Magical Tribe is stuck in a muddled mix of heartfelt family adventure, broad comedy and fantasy spectacle, never finding a balance that works.
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