Kung Fu Panda 2 fights trouble in China

While the story of Po, the goofy panda who sets out to be a kung fu master, enthralled audiences of all age groups three years ago and went on to gross over $ 631,744,560 worldwide, the second edition of this animated feature has run into controversy with certain sections of the Chinese public.
Though largely divided in opinion, many feel that the film twists the premise and base of Chinese culture to its convenience.
“Don't fool our next generation with American fast food,” Zhao Bandi, an avant-garde Chinese artist wrote to film distributors and managers of movie halls in a call to boycott the “Americanized” movie. Zhao has been actively rallying against the franchise ever since its first edition came out in 2008. While those calling for the boycott say that elements of Chinese culture have become advertising products to advocate American culture, fans argue that the story is about a Panda, which is a unique species indigenous to China, and employs Chinese cultural elements such as the music, shadow play and lion dancing.
“I won't call it a cultural invasion,” said Li Jiayi, a student from Beijing University. "I see nothing bad for others to use our cultural elements to make a movie.” Ultimately, it’s a film and it is meant to be entertainment.
In a season overflowing with franchises and sequels, Kung Fu Panda 2 has, like its predecessor, garnered favourable reviews from critics and fans alike and is ruling the BO. Seen for pure entertainment value, the movie has been hailed as being as good as, or even better than the first film with its weekend collections hitting $ 48 million, right after the next sequel on the list -- Hangover II!
Well, maybe as Po the panda would say, just lie back and enjoy the “Awesomeness?!