Kung Fu Panda
Prepare for Awesomeness
Prepare for awesomeness with DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda, "a delightful movie that can stand among the very best animated features" (Leonard Maltin, Entertainment Tonight). Jack Black is perfect as the voice of Po, a noodle slurping dreamer who must embrace his true self - fuzzy flaws and all - in order to become the Dragon Warrior. With groundbreaking animation, an all-star cast and high-kicking humor, Kung Fu Panda is "Ultra satisfying entertainment... There's heart in this movie and that's the secret ingredient." - Richard Corliss, Time
Member Reviews
A spectacular and soulful action animation film achievement - kchishol1970
This film was the first to show that DreamWorks Animation had found its own voice in film that didn't defend on simply parody as its story foundation. Instead, this film is a delight with furious martial arts action with the heart of a powerful comedic drama about an insecure fanboy, a tortured teacher and a villain far more complex and tragic than most ever created for animation. With masterful actors like Ian McShane and Dustin Hoffman, the latter of whom helped Jack Black makes his lead role here the finest of his career, you have a western film embraced worldwide as a loving tribute to the wuxia acton genre that will make laugh and shed a tear until the brilliant thrills sweep you away.Total Awsomeness indeed - Film_Prophet1
After watching "Kung Fu Panda." I want to get down on my knees and scream "Hallelujah". This is a masterpiece of animation and comic timing not seen since Chuck Jones directed cartoons for the Looney Tunes. I had to admit that I had my doubts when I saw the trailer, but it doesn't do half the justice this film deserves.
The story's a litte predictable. don't let that throw you off. The directors take the cliches and twists them in a sometimes hilarious ahd sometimes touching way. Like Alfred Hitchcock, They like to "play the audience like a piano" plus they know the words and the music.
What surprised me are the jokes. The directors completely avoided pop cultural references completely. The jokes it does have are laugh out loud hilarious, especially one with Po recieving acupunctures that will have you on the floor laughing.
There are 2 amazing action scenes. First is the evil snow leopard's escape from prison and of course the fight on a bridge dangling from a cloud.
The acting is of course perfect. Jack Black brings back the same charm he had in "School of Rock". Ian McShane really has a good time playing the villian. Dustin Hoffman manages to do something as the chagrined master.
Watching this, I am reminded of the cartoons of Chuck Jones, especially "What's Opera, Doc?". Both have great animated settings and a story that pays homage to the same genre that they are making fun of. Panda manages to capture the animated beauty and perfect comic timing that Chuck Jones used when directing Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Pepe Le Pew.
I was also reminded of a quote by Director Jean-Luc Godard: "The best way to criticize a movie is to make another one" I would use this to criticise "Chicken Little." the only only effort the later seem to put into was on the amound of feathers to animate.
If I had one complaint, the film was too sh
Note: The furious Five are based on real Kung Fu fighting techniques and the leopard too.THE Big Funny Panda - BlackSheep
Fortune cookie wisdom is imparted throughout KUNG FU PANDA. Some of it makes no sense out of context but it all amounts to some very simple, very basic advice about believing in the warrior within. “There are no accidents,” claims the coolest of Zen master turtles after a panda drops from the sky at just the right moment to be deemed the next Dragon Warrior. There are especially no accidents when no risk is taken. That panda is of course the panda from the title and from the moment this lazy emotional eater is “discovered” as the warrior that will go on to save the kingdom, you know exactly how the entire thing will play out. Po (voiced by an increasingly subtle Jack Black) will drown in doubt while he trains for something he doesn’t believe himself capable of; the other animals will badger him into giving up; but eventually, he will find his inner kung fu master and save the day.
So it isn’t so original. No big deal. What it lacks in originality, it makes up for in style and humour. despite its unevenness and seemingly simple approach, KUNG FU PANDA is great wisdom wrapped in even greater fun and often breathtaking animation. Sometimes the simplest of lessons are the ones that are hardest to learn. (Now I’m a fortune cookie.) Perhaps the subtlest lesson the film passes on is to relinquish your control over the destiny of your own life. Po never thought he would find himself surrounded by his heroes, getting the chance to realize his life long dream of becoming a kung fu master but here he is suddenly. Master Shifu never thought he would be training such a useless lump but here his is as well. It is only when each character let go of their egos and expectations that they saw how to make their situation work. Shedding your own expectation for KUNG FU PANDA to be something more than what it really is will allow for the good times intended to be had and an unexpected tranquility to seep into your mind.
www.blacksheepreviews.com
Member Reviews
Read All...
A spectacular and soulful action animation film achievement - kchishol1970
This film was the first to show that DreamWorks Animation had found its own voice in film that didn't defend on simply parody as its story foundation. Instead, this film is a delight with furious martial arts action with the heart of a powerful comedic drama ...Total Awsomeness indeed - Film_Prophet1
After watching "Kung Fu Panda." I want to get down on my knees and scream "Hallelujah". This is a masterpiece of animation and comic timing not seen since Chuck Jones directed cartoons for the Looney Tunes. I had to admit that I had my doubts when I saw the ...THE Big Funny Panda - BlackSheep
Fortune cookie wisdom is imparted throughout KUNG FU PANDA. Some of it makes no sense out of context but it all amounts to some very simple, very basic advice about believing in the warrior within. “There are no accidents,” claims the coolest of Zen master ...