In my review of the first movie I broke down all the aspects of the new animation style and everything else fresh this trilogy brings to the franchise, but this is a totally different beast. Because this movie focuses on something near non-existent in the Monogatari series: fighting. In all of the Monogatari series, all seasons, specials, etc., there have probably been 4-5 fights ever. And fighting is different for lots of reasons. You need fighting animation, fighting music, fighting choreography, basically everything the Mongatari series doesn't normally have. However, when the Monogatari does have fights they are over-the-top slaughterfests filled with physics defying action and gorey violence that no real fight could possibly replicate and have the combatants still alive afterwards. And Kizumonogatari 2 doesn't fail to deliver.
The fights were all beautifully well directed with amazing animation and a soundtrack that gets you pumped up before the fight and adrenaline-shot during them. The fights were probably only 1/4th of the film but they felt so much longer because of just how engrossing they were. The other 3/4ths of the film was the Monogatari series being itself, but much better than usual. Like with the first movie, the visual humor and cinematography take a step up from the TV series and any change to the stagnating Monogatari series is welcomed. Hearing audience reactions and laughter to the movie makes it even better, and just like the last movie, we get another addition to the most glorious panty shots ever.
Another aspect that made this film better than the last was how much better paced it was than the last film. Part 1 had a few moments that felt stretched to make the film last a whole hour, but this time around every moment brought something new to the screen and no time was wasted, though the film is still only an hour long. The trailers promised 3 fights and we got 3 fights, which surprised me because I was wondering how they would have any material left for a third film. However, after seeing the after credits preview I'm well-assured the third film will have plenty of material and I already can't wait for it.
Overall, Kizumonogatari Part 2 is an anime film at its best. The animation, soundtrack, voice acting, humor, action, cinematography, and pacing are all perfect. Even the third film probably won't be as good as this one (I hope to be pleasantly surprised though). If you can, I highly recommend watching this film, or if you can't the third one, in theaters. Here's waiting for Part 3.
