Hello, friends!
I've found it to be a common theme that when I was little I would enjoy a movie, but then I got to a phase where I just thought it was silly or inane. Eventually I grew out of that and once again saw many of the films for how brilliant they are. Kind of like that C. S. Lewis quote, "One day you will be old enough to read fairytales again."
Today, I'm talking about one of those movies! I remember just missing Kung Fu Panda when it came out in theaters in 2008, but I've seen it countless times since. Since my years of shunning it I now claim this to be one of the most humorous films I've ever seen. It always cheers me up to watch it, and likewise to talk about it, so let's get down to business (wrong movie) let's get to kung fu fighting.
The following is me talking about why I enjoy the movie and the messages therein but not what actually happens in it, so this article is spoiler-free. Enjoy!
Kung Fu Panda (2008):
Premise: Po eats, sleeps, and dreams thinking about kung fu. Due to an accident, Po gets chosen to be the new "Dragon Warrior" and disgruntled by this, Master Shifu is determined to make him quit. The Furious Five are disappointed at not being chosen but they aren't the only ones as word reaches Tai Lung, an exiled former student of Shifu. Tai Lung will stop at nothing to get the Dragon Scroll given to the Dragon Warrior and the way to defend is through kung fu...that is if a panda can learn how to master this ancient martial art.
Genres: Comedy, Family, Action/Adventure, Animated films.
"There is now a level zero." |
Length: approx. 92 minutes.
Age Range: This is rated PG, for some mild violence (the titular action of kung fu is part of it!). Some tiny kids might be scared of Tai Lung, but all in all this works for any age.
Crew: Directed by: John Stevenson and Mark Osborne. Produced by: Melissa Cobb. Written by: Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger based on the story by Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris. Animation by: DreamWorks studios. Music by: Hans Zimmer.
Kung Fu...red panda? |
Starring the voices of: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Jackie Chan, Randall Duk Kim, and James Hong.
General thoughts:
How I look when I'm acting out what happens in this movie. |
While the majority of the movie is in 3D animation, the beginning and credits have a 2D animation style that links back to other Chinese art forms. The score by the brilliant Hans Zimmer is mystical and magical, and I love the song "Kung Fu Fighting" performed by Jack Black and CeeLo Green.
"One often meets his destiny on the road to avoid it." |
The rest of the characters are so lovable, from wise Oogway to impatient Shifu to the strengths of the Furious Five, each character has their own goals and sense of humor.
This film was so successful that it has since received three sequels. I've only seen the first of them (Kung Fu Panda 2) and think it's one of the most solid sequels I've seen. It is missing one aspect that is quite prominent in this film: food.
Food in the film:
"Well done, students...if you were trying to disappoint me." |
"I guess my body doesn't know it's the dragon warrior yet." |
"Oh, careful! That soup is...sharp." |
Which involves food.
Once Shifu figures out the lengths Po will go to get a snack, he uses food as a way to train this panda. Thus commences one of my favorite training sequences in film. I've always loved this approach of maybe you're not doing it wrong, maybe the teacher just hasn't found what works for you. In Po's case it is through food and once Shifu realizes this, he becomes a better teacher himself.
From Po's dad running a noodle shop to Po making food for his friends to the idea of "secret ingredient soup," food is a medium for the characters to learn and grow.
Mmmmmm, delicious. |
Why am I talking about food so much? This is my submission to Sally's Food and Film Blogathon!
Thanks for hosting, Sally!
For my readers, what motivates you to achieve the impossible? For me it would probably be food. Or getting to watch a movie or read a book. Do you have a favorite movie in the Kung Fu Panda series? What would ideal kung fu training look like for you?
I guess all my talking here would be what Shifu would consider "flapping" so by response to his request of "Would whoever is making that flapping sound please quiet down?" I'll take my leave.
Chloe the MovieCritic
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