Kung-Fu Panda 2 has a similar plot to the first movie, in which a pudgy panda (played by Jack Black) must find hidden strength to fight a nasty villain. As before, Po has a strong supporting cast voiced by Dustin Hoffman as red panda Shifu, Angelina Jolie as Tigress, Jackie Chan as Monkey, James Hong as adoptive father Mr. Ping, Lucy Liu as Viper, and Seth Rogen as Mantis.
New characters include Michelle Yeoh as a goat soothsayer, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Master Croc, and chameleon Gary Oldman as peacock dictator Shen. While Black doesn’t get to improvise as much as he has in other flicks, the other actors are well-chosen and don’t distract from their roles.
The martial arts choreography was strong, with each animal demonstrating a different style, and for once, I thought the 3-D helped rather than hurt the viewing experience. The writers and animators also expand the story’s venue beyond the monastery and village to the wider countryside and a city in ancient China. Ken even noticed that in one scene, funky music underscores a scene similar to 1970s action movies.
The movie is framed by animation resembling paper cutouts, and it clearly leaves an opening for another sequel. Overall, I’d give Kung-Fu Panda 2 a B or B+, 8 out of 10, or three and a half out of five stars. It’s rate PG for violence. I haven’t yet seen Pirates of the Caribbean 2: On Stranger Tides(which has gotten mixed reviews) or X-Men: First Class(which has gotten surprisingly favorable reviews). Ken and I also had dinner at Fresh City, which was OK.
On Saturday, Janice and I attended the Needham Street Fair and the Cambridge River Festival. Both had interesting vendors and varied cuisine (Thai and Indian were popular), and the latter had performers and several tables for progressive political causes that I support, such as Amnesty International.
I’ll be busy with work and travel in the next few months, so I may not be able to blog as regularly as I have been doing, but have no fear, gentle readers — I’ve got more ideas coming!
As more details emerge about DC Comics’ renumbering this coming autumn, there has been a lot of discussion about what fans want to keep or change in that publisher’s continuity. So far, the costume redesigns and making the major characters younger don’t bother me much, even though I like how Batgirl, the Birds of Prey, Green Arrow, Nightwing, and Oracle have evolved to date. The proof will be in the writing and art.
Batman and Superman have been subject to numerous successful interpretations, Wonder Woman has lagged behind the other members of the “big three” in terms of popularity or steady depiction. Here’s how I’d approach DC’s iconic superheroine, in print comics, animation, or live-actiontelevision or movies:
Diana Prince, an athletic and poised woman in her early 20s, arrives in Washington, D.C., to study international relations (or history with a focus on ancient warfare, if that’s easier). She’s obviously of Mediterranean descent, but she’s estranged from her mother and looking for her father. This is similar toSmallville in showing a younger, somewhat less confident heroine unaware of her full origin and powers, but it doesn’t quite drag us back to a high school soap opera.
Her roommate is Etta Candy, an African-American blogger who helps her get an internship at the U.S. Department of Defense. There, Diana meets Air Force Col. Steve Trevor and Titus Martin, head of contractor Ares Industries (actually an avatar of Ares, god of war, himself). Could either of these men be her father? In general, the casting of supporting characters should be diverse and color-blind.
Another classmate of Diana’s is potential love interest Billy Barnes, who volunteers at a women’s shelter in a neighborhood beset by poverty and crime (where she can occasionally fight street-level villains). Diana’s professors include secretly fascist psychologist Edgar Cizko (Dr. Psycho), spymistress Anita Maru (Dr. Cyber/Poison), archaeologist Julia Kapatelis, and historian Helena Sandsmark.
At the Pentagon, martial arts classes, or Capitol Hill, Diana would also meet Tom Tresser, a con man turned secret agent and another potential romantic interest. Diana could eventually mention that she has a younger sister, Donna, for a later cameo or supporting role. Rival Artemis could be another classmate and rival whom Diana struggles to win over.
When she’s not spending time with her friends, studying, or fighting crime, Diana would get mysterious missives from Athens (Athena) through Hermes Delivery, but they’re not from her mother. They’d tip her off to bigger problems to fight, such as the abuse of women overseas, diplomatic attempts to avert wars (sometimes putting her at odds with Col. Trevor or Tom), and even mythical monsters and alien invasions — within the limitations of budgets and computer imagery, of course.
If possible, it would be great to get Lynda Carter as Diana’s mother Hippolyta, queen of Themyscira, which the producers of the failedNBC pilot had hoped to do. The historical Themiscyra was on the Black Sea in what’s now Turkey. I’d like to see a mix of regular thugs, villainous masterminds, and magical opponents for Wonder Woman to fight with her wits and fists. Cameos by other DC heroes and heroines could also eventually occur.
Diana should be a feminist and seek peace when possible, but she should also eventually be unafraid of sexuality or conflict. I don’t want Wonder Woman to fret over shoes, boys, or toy sponsorships, but she should have a sense of humor and be an optimist (brooding is for other characters such as Bruce Wayne). She should grapple with modern controversies, including religious fundamentalism of any kind, ethnic rivalries, sexism, abortion, and militarism.
As for props and costumes, I think that DC Comics and NBC have been headed in the right direction. Wonder Woman should have multiple outfits for different occasions. The classic shortsand bustier could be worn under her clothing or when going somewhere warm (like Washington in the summer).
In fact, Wonder Woman’s costume should reflectmodernathletic wear rather than mid-20th century circus outfits. The tiara, bracers, and lasso are must-haves, while the stars, red-and-blue color scheme, and eagle can reflect her (and her mother’s) admiration for American ideals.
The longer pants and a top with shoulder straps would be more practical for regular crime fighting, and Greek-style armor would be appropriate for wading into high-powered battles. I’d also give her good fashion sense (without dwelling on it too much, see above) and casual and formal wear as needed. Creator William Moulton Marston‘s interest in polygamy, lie detection, and bondage could come up in villains’ plots rather than Diana’s outlook or costume.
While JMS and Jim Lee‘s recent reboot of Wonder Woman by stripping her of her memory and traditional costume was a better-than-average attempt, it’s not as good as George Perez’s in the mid-1980s. I think that Wonder Woman, who is still widely recognized and could be a role model for girls, deserves better. (DC, feel free to use my ideas!) What do you think?
>>”26 to 30 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” The grifters prepare for a heist of starship engines from the Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) trader “Star Shark,” as tipped off by Gorvek Beezo and Rabak Porset during a card game. Gabriel Adams contacts Lillian Morrissey, but the “fixer” is initially unable to find him a chop shop near Blackrock Station. The courier buys pirate disguises for the raiding party.
Hector Chavez has more luck with his onetime handler, Max. The former spy obtains electronic burglary gear, as well as access codes for an orbital dock occasionally used by smugglers. Hector also monitors the Appomattox‘s internal sensors and local traffic control on the far side of the Moon.
As MERLIN (for “Masters of Earthly Lubricated Information Network”), ARTHERR communicates with fellow A.I. (artificial intelligence) Gordon Wong to verify that the anarchist Xox Memes will distribute plans for faster-than-light (FTL) drives. The robot also asks for information on the shipment of Vatican artifacts that the Appomattox took on for fixer “Ramon Sanchez” [Josh H./Non-Player Character].
Dr. Richmond Garrett readies his latest scam as a deliveryman for “Jolly Roger’s Chicken,” aided by Gabriel’s pirate costumes. The snake-oil salesman directs Nero Bartholomew and Averki “Deep Dish” Dyashenko to cook enough chicken to satisfy a hungry skeleton crew of Ru’ulok.
Jasmine is reluctant to participate in another theft (the maneuver drive was stolen from the U.E.V. Parsifal) but conceals her identity beneath a full pirate’s coat. Dr. Dieter Klein leaves supplies of sedatives before departing to visit some friends on another space yacht.
ARTHERR ensures that the rented orbital transfer vehicles, or “CDVs” (for chicken delivery vehicles), can not only deliver the drugged food to the Star Shark but are also able to transfer its Transit engines back to the Appomattox. In addition, ARTHERR applies decals to the CDVs.
Capt. Adams studies escape routes in Earth orbit, and Hector sets up masking of emissions at the space dock. Dr. Garrett pays for the CDVs with funds from shell company “MarSoupAiL” (Mars Soup Aid Lenders Ltd.). ARTHERR brings antitoxins in case his crewmates need to partake in the feast.
Hector and Jasmine take one CDV, and Gabriel, ARTHERR, and Richmond take the other to the Star Shark (as translated from Ru’ulok), most of whose crew is on shore leave. Capt. Droata is initially reluctant to accept an order she didn’t make, but the buckets of crispy chicken help the persuasive pirates talk their way aboard the “Marava“-class trader.
The Terrans see two additional reptilian aliens aboard the Ru’ulok ship: a glider-winged Tharian servant and a dog-like Calot. They already know that Droata’s metabolism is similar to that of humans, but ARTHERR checks databases for records of the other species. The Calot is apparently a Ru’ulok pet, and another Tharian (“Tela”) has been seen eating and drinking at locations around the Sol system.
Overconfident Droata leads the infiltrators past the Star Shark‘s cargo bay to a 2-G dining room, where they take their time setting up the drugged food and beverages. Gabriel and Richmond make small talk to distract Droata and Tegar, while Hector plants a bug among the dishes and utensils. He also jams any communications from leaving the vessel.
Jasmine pets the Calot, and Droata is impressed with her replica cutlass. The delivery staff shows itself out to wait for the sedatives to take effect. As soon as Hector detects that the Ru’ulok captain has passed out, the thieves return. However, the Tharian finds Hector’s device and grabs the cutlass!
ARTHERR tazes Tegar, who strikes him with the sword. Gabriel jumps and knocks the Tharian down, and Hector incapacitates her with the butt of his pistol. They quickly break into the captain’s quarters to retrieve security and engineering data.
Pilot Gabriel brings the CDVs around, and engineers Hector and ARTHERR uninstall the Star Shark‘s FTL drive. Jasmine and Dr. Garrett watch over the unconscious aliens and look out for reinforcements from the Red Manta.
As a shuttle approaches from Blackrock Station, Gabriel leads Hector in hiding the CDVs behind orbital garbage, where they later ditch them. ARTHERR aids with scans and, as MERLIN, contacts Wong. The anarchist A.I. asks that the Appomattox test the FTL before Xox Memes will distribute the plans.
While the drives are installed, Hector and ARTHERR monitor the news media. They notice no mention of the Star Shark, as Gorvek had predicted, and reports of ongoing colonial strife. Jasmine and Deep Dish look forward to leaving Earth.
Hector’s handler Max had mentioned a derelict ship at the edge of the Sol system, so Gabriel sets a course for it. Hector activates the Ru’ulok Transit engines, which can go 1 light-year per Terran day. The Appomattox finds the Dawn’s Retreat drifting with no apparent crew or passengers.
MERLIN contacts Gordon Wong, who says that the removal of art from the Vatican museums must have been an inside job, since law enforcement authorities have not been notified. The A.I. also observes that the United Ecumenical Movement has reassigned numerous chaplains to the outer colonies. Telepath Gabriel is aware of U.E.M. efforts to recruit psions.
Gabriel, Hector, and ARTHERR board the Dawn’s Retreat and find empty cabins, odd dials and levers, and Esperanto signage. The ship is obviously military in design, but there are no signs of combat. Hector’s scans reveal that the airlocks have cycled at least twice.
On the engineering deck, Gabriel makes psychic contact with a presence. It asks whether they have gotten away safely, and Gabriel confirms that the ship is near Earth. ARTHERR traces the entity to the main generator, but it seems to be unaware of the passage of time and its own lack of a corporeal form….
Sara and Dave, we missed you at the Memorial Day game. Characters in both adventuring parties should now have 7 aspects and 20 skill points, so remember to update your and my records.
Please note that “Vortex” Team 2 won’t be meeting again until 27 June 2011, because I’ll be visiting friends in New York City. Team 1 (the crew of the Blackbird) is scheduled for next Monday and June 20. Paul and Beruk, I look forward to seeing you virtually at this coming Sunday’s Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy session. Later, -Gene
>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 1 (5a), crew of the Blackbird:
-“Syzygy” [Brian W./absent]-Trinoid (trilateral amphibious alien) xenologist with an organic laboratory and a pet cat named “Mr. Sniffles”
-“Tela” [Sara F.]-female Tharian (winged reptilian humanoid alien) escapee from the Encegulans, engineer
-“Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran cyborg human sniper working for eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.
-“Aughest-vor…” [Jason E.R.]-male human from the Lemuria orbital city, onetime dilettante, solar-sail racer, pilot
-“Lt. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.]-male Terran human, burned-out officer and explorer in the Interplanetary Patrol
-“Gombo Shisel” [Rich L./absent]-male Mongolian/Martian human, former horse rancher and wilderness survival expert
-“Dr. Bucket” [Non-Player Character]-United Earth Authority astromech robot assigned to the Blackbird
Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.28 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 29 May 2011, and has been using Pathfinder, Skype, and an online dice roller.
In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. After “Holy Steel‘s” journey to the distant empire of Khemet, another motley group gathered in the northwestern “Vanished Lands” to explore a world full of perils and wonders….
After meeting in the Wisalef Forest, the adventurers encountered hostile Centaurs and a haunted hamlet on the Plains of Sathendo….
>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of spring 2011:
-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard); NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 3
-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras, god of contracts and brotherhood; LGn, Lvl. 3
-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 3
-“Jovinda Halflight” [Sammy H.]-female Half-Elf (Grugach/Hifalendorin) Cleric of Mekkil, goddess of nature; owner of horse Wyth-Amoi, or “Wind Spirit”; NGl, Age 23, Lvl. 3
-“Kazuo Takenaga” [Taum D’A.]-male Nezumi (Rat-kin) Monk from the Zedu kingdom in the Therud Forest; LNg, Age 20, Lvl. 3
-“Asish Chen Ti” [Byron V.O./absent]-male Tsucharim human archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from the kingdom of Gokuri; owner of Akita dog Genghis and horse Onimusha; NGl, Age 20, Lvl. 3
“27 to 28 August 1229 B.C.E.:” After reporting to the authorities in the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city of Nadwi, the adventuring party prepares to return north, to frontier villages threatened by Fey and Undead.
Most of the group compares notes over breakfast at the “Deer’s Heart” tavern in the Dagger District. Kovar expresses concern that the forces of evil are coordinating their attacks. To the east, the nefarious kingdom of Gokuri has dominated the barbaric Gusorin Confederation. To the south, the dreaded ghost fleet has sacked coastal cities, and to the west, the monsters of Zuromm have besieged the human kingdom of Saganim.
Digger and Jovinda agree that their immediate tasks are to the north — trying to find farmers who fled the haunted hamlet of Alarn and investigating the borderlands for mysterious mage Octavius Karstus. They and Kazuo also note that thwarting Vappu Lahja’s aggressive Centaur followers is a top priority.
In addition, Digger notes that different versions of the fairy tale regarding Vappu Lahja suggest that she might be the same person as the independent-minded woman once wooed by various princes two centuries ago. The tales aren’t clear on whether she was an outcast or a manipulator, and one suitor was from a family that’s still near the town of Kedetura.
Gawain continues his research into devils at the local Magisterium (magic school/library), and Asish practices archery and meets “Jade Xi” [Sammy/Non-Player Character] at the Arena of Arakkis. The two humans had expressed interest in heading southwest toward Saganim but are outvoted for now.
Their companions, meanwhile, go to the consulate of the Waletku kingdom of the Elves to meet with Lark Utbehule, a Sylvan Elf they had met during an audience with the city council. Green pennants flutter over the ivy-covered building.
Digger thanks Lark for taking his report of the threat posed by Vappu Lahja more seriously than some Hifalendorin aristocrats and soldiers on the council. She replies that King Ereval I in Alfhileno would be more concerned with Fey creatures turning to the Unseelie Court than with periodic raids on border communities.
Half-Elf Jovinda asks if there are trustworthy people to report to in the Wisalef Forest. Lark says that the Alfendi Rangers’ Guild, led by Gen. Aldarion Telcontar, will be most interested in what her team may find. As tokens of support, the Elves present each member with gifts [from the Pathfinder: Advanced Player’s Guide].
Lark gives scholarly Digger scrolls to help him learn Akkadian, Sanskrit, and Draconian. She gives Jovinda, a Cleric of Mekkil, goddess of nature, a Bottle of Messages. Kovar, a Paladin of Mithras, god of contracts, gets a Jurist enchantment for his shield, and Monk Kazuo receives a bar of Soul Soap to protect against mental control similar to that of Vappu Lahja.
The consul also gives a magical Catching Cape to Illusionist Gawain and a Campfire Bead to Ranger Asish. Somewhat reluctantly, Digger passes along Jade’s offer to help find highly placed agents of Vappu Lahja in Nadwi, for a price. Digger and company then go the art and antiques shop of Eligius near the market square.
Attentive clerk Lucian follows cheerful Jovinda and quiet Kazuo around the shop. When Digger mentions Octavius Karstus, Eligius tries to flee, but the nimble Rogue and burly Half-Orc corner the panicked merchant. He asks whether they’re assassins, but Digger and Kovar try to reassure him.
Eligius explains that Octavius Karstus had inquired about a parchment map drawn over an older chart. Both were of the area between the Plains of Sathendo, the Wisalef Forest, and the Ivory Mountains. Eligius initially declined, and his shop was broken into shortly thereafter. The tradesman hired an apprentice and tightened security rather than acquiesce to the mage’s demands.
Digger offers protection and analysis, and Eligius agrees, on the condition that the Paladin be the only one to stay with him until they meet again at midnight. After the others leave, Eligius takes Kovar through a trap door into a safe room hidden in Nadwi’s sewers. He has stashed the map and other artifacts but still fears discovery.
Stealthy Digger and Kazuo wait near the antiques store. Jovinda and Gawain go to a nearby pub for drinks. However, the Nezumi’s nose leads him and the Halfling to a grisly scene inside — Lucian is dead, with burns on his face!
Kazuo hears a falling roof tile and scrambles up a storm drain. Digger examines the scene, finding some signs of struggle but nothing removed. Gawain goes to notify Asish and the city watch, while Jovinda runs into the cobblestone streets to follow Kazuo and his quarry.
Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, Kazuo closes in on Lucian’s murderer. Jovinda sees them move around the market square, and Digger finds a hole in the ceiling and calls to Kovar through the trapdoor into the sewers. The wise holy warrior tells Eligius to stay put and promises to stay with him.
Kazuo grapples with his opponent, a reptilian humanoid. The assassin tries to butt heads and is struck by a Spiritual Weapon cast by Jovinda. Kazuo dodges the dragon-kin’s fiery breath and hits him with Stunning Fists.
Jovinda invokes Mekkil’s protection for Resistance from flames and climbs up a rough stone wall. Her staff-like Spiritual Weapon continues to hit the beast. Just as the Cleric gets to the roof, however, Kazuo and his foe roll off! The Monk acrobatically manages to evade being crushed, and the creature unfurls leathery wings.
Grugach Jovinda channels positive energy to heal Kazuo, who has been raked by the scaly folk’s claws. The Nezumi leaps up and grabs onto the assassin’s legs as he tries to fly away. They wobble into the night sky, and Jovinda contemplates firing at them after she safely slides off the roof.
Agile Kazuo climbs up the reptile-kin’s back and pummels him with his furry fists of fury. They drop again to the shadowy street, and Jovinda inspects the now-unconscious creature, which she and Kazuo recognize as being related to Gargoyles, Lizard Folk, Dragonborn, and Draconians. They drag their prisoner back toward Eligius’ antiques shop…
I hope that all of you had a good Memorial Day. Paul and Byron, thanks for checking in, and Paul and Beruk, it was good to see you at Monday night’s FATE 3eStarblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera. Thanks also to those who have updated their Player Character records and replied to the threads regarding tactics, multiclassing “Asish,” and party direction.
I look forward to seeing all of you online for our next virtual session on June 5. Also, note that June 19 is Father’s Day, so Rob and Byron, please let us know whether you’ll be available. Have a good week, -Gene
While this may get some attention in the mainstream news media, it’s too soon to tell whether this will be good or bad for DC’s iconic characters or the comics industry in general. I’ve noted before how superhero stories have been fodder for popular movies, even as print sales decline. DC’s announcement that digital versions of its comics will be available on the same Wednesdays as individual issues is a strong attempt to address this decline.
I also doubt that this will have the same long-lasting effect as Crisis on Infinite Earths, which reset DC’s timelines in the mid-1980s, just as I was returning to comic books and graphic novels as a young adult. Marvel Comics tends to reboot individual characters (see One More Day for Spider-Man) or teams (such as the Avengers Reborn) rather than its entire continuity at once.
The reason for such reboots is simple: Fans want their favorite characters, such as Batman or Captain America, to be relatively unaging, while real-world and fictional events (such as the maturing of sidekicks) pile up around them. To bring in younger or more casual readers, a periodic housecleaning makes sense.
In “comic book time,” how long has Superman or Wolverine been a costumed vigilante? Is Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, or Damien Wayne the youngster in the Robin costume? Which president is considering the Mutant/Metahuman Registration Act?
On a related superheroic note, I watched the latest episode of Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the direct-to-video Thor: Tales of Asgard this past weekend. The animated feature focused on a young god of thunder, and was a decent parallel/companion piece to the live-action film.
Gene's Worlds 