This post contains affiliate links. We receive a small commission when you click and purchase through these links, which helps keep the site and podcast running. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\r\n","post_title":"Animation Addicts Podcast #91: Kung Fu Panda 2 - Kaboom of Doom","post_excerpt":"In episode 91 of the Animation Addicts Podcast, the Rotoscopers review DreamWorks Animation's animated sequel, 'Kung Fu Panda 2' (2011).","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"animation-addicts-podcast-91-kung-fu-panda-2-kaboom-of-doom","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 16:46:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 23:46:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/rotoscopers.com\/?p=27721","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"12","filter":"raw"},{"ID":27563,"post_author":"4","post_date":"2015-03-20 15:40:25","post_date_gmt":"2015-03-20 22:40:25","post_content":"I knew there was a reason why I stopped reading Insurgent\u00a0<\/em>halfway through the book. \u00a0The movie definitely confirmed that reason.\r\n\r\nInsurgent<\/em> is the second film in the\u00a0Divergent<\/em> film series. \u00a0The films are based on a popular series of dystopian novels by Veronica Roth. Insurgent<\/em>\u00a0picks up after the events of the first film, where Triss (Shailene Woodley) began\u00a0to uproot\u00a0the class system of a post-war Chicago. Triss is \"divergent,\" meaning that she doesn't just\u00a0fall into one of the five 'factions' like most people; rather, she fits into many. This rare divergence is threatening to the faction system, so Triss, her boyfriend Four (Theo James), and some of her fellow divergent are on the run from Jeanine (Kate Winslet), one of society's\u00a0leaders attempting to seize power for her faction. Jeanine has a particular interest in the divergent because she believes they hold the key to opening a mysterious box containing\u00a0a crucial message from the faction creators.\r\n\r\nOne of the most intriguing parts of the first film,\u00a0Divergent<\/em>,\u00a0was the faction simulations. \u00a0In these simulations, the characters were put into a virtual simulation to see how they would react. I was glad to see these simulations,which are arguably some of the films' best scenes, extended to the second film. \u00a0Without them it would feel as if something was missing.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWoodley is great as Triss and is able to carry the majority of the film herself. \u00a0But, it's really some of the secondary characters who steal the show. Kate Winslet's character is cool and calculated, posing a real threat to freedom and to Triss's life. Another great character is Peter, played by\u00a0Miles Teller, who can't seem to make up his mind about which side he's on. This \"Is he, isn't he?\" dynamic keeps the audience on their toes whenever he's on screen (as\u00a0Peter's\u00a0not a clear black-and-white villain\u00a0like Jeanine).\r\n\r\nOne thing I don't particularly enjoy is how violent the film is. It isn't on the level of some military or war films; however, seeing young adults run around punching, shooting, and killing each other is a bit unsavory.Yes,\u00a0this is a dystopian survival situation, but, nonetheless, the way the film goes about representing dystopian survival\u00a0doesn't quite work. (Now, tell that to the guy behind me in the theatre who, as he was leaving, yelled, \"That was freakin' sick!\".)\r\n\r\nInsurgent<\/em> isn't a bad film. The plot is enjoyable enough, the actors are fine, and I felt satisfied with the ending and how we ultimately got there.\u00a0Insurgent<\/em>\u00a0feels like yet another action-packed dystopian film with a cool leading lady and a hunky leading man. It's The\u00a0Hunger Games<\/em> mixed with a little bit of\u00a0The\u00a0Maze Runner<\/em>. And, for that reason, it just doesn't bring much of anything new to the table.\r\n