Reposting my impressions from the review thread
I really liked this movie a lot. The direction, the creative action, and the animation are really impressive. This sequel proved itself for me just in how computer animation has improved since the last film because it looks soo good in so many ways. It's also got some good humor and some sweet family moments that veer into cliche territory but luckily give them some fresh twists. It's just a fun straight forward adventure.
That being said, there are a lot of disappointments that I just can't shake even as the film won me over in so many ways throughout the film. For one, it doesn't live up to the first in villains, in themes, in character development (Dash is oddly not doing much as a character or even as a set of powers like they forgot to add him into the film until the last draft and even Frozone is in the film less that in the first), and it had something interesting to say and an interesting story to tell. This felt like it could be saying something or diving a little deeper into these characters but then it just fizzles out.
That's not to say this film is bad. It reminds me of Solo in just being pretty much what you'd expect but better executed and more fun than you might expect, but this goes a step further to give just a bit more fleshing out of the characters and the jokes all hit. In terms of telling a straight forward story (that is way too predictable) but still manages to feel fun and engaging throughout, it's a good sequel and above average in terms of most animated sequels or sequels in general. It stops just short of being great though. The first was great, this was just really good.
Btw did anyone see
The Jonny Quest "Quest" logo on the building in the background? Even before they were watching the cartoon on TV, I noticed the font and had to do a double take an wonder if that was a deliberate reference. Soon after they confirmed that is was.