Movie Review - Kung Fu Panda
Sunday June 8, 2008
Like I mentioned, animals doing martial arts might be a recipe for disaster, damn was I wrong! Dreamworks known for their Shrek series and recent Bee Movie (both my favourites) didn’t disappoint. They’re slowly leveling up with Pixar, not only in terms of visuals but storytelling. That can only mean one thing for us movie-goers / viewers. Quality entertainment.
Review
My reviews are always (at least I try to be) spoiler-free. Don’t worry, I’ll warn if there’s any.
The trailers were a hit, it was funny, but I didn’t expect the movie to be THAT funny. I went in expecting an “average-funny-cartoon” kind of story and animation. I left believing it might be the number one contender for animated story of the year. Also, in this 3D animation age, it’s really nice to see a fusion of beautiful 2D animation at the beginning and the end credits. Somehow it fitted into the whole concept of the show.
I like Jet Black in all his comedic roles, esp in Nacho Libre. So it wasn’t a surprised he slipped into the Po the Panda character effortlessly. Of course, the visual representation is a cunning resemblance to Black himself – with the expressions, tummy and what not. Surprisingly though, there’s a strong ensemble of cast here, the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu and even Jacky Chan!
You’ll fall (off your chair laughing that is) for the main characters almost immediately. The other 5 sub characters following the 5 main Kung Fu fighting styles are easily identifiable as well. The highlight of the show is not the animation, storytelling, comic, but the script! I have to tip my hat to the writers. I absolutely love the witty dialogues, the jokes and comic are hilarious. Importantly, it has one of the best message in an animated story. About believing.
There’s this sage old turtle ala Yoda-ish that spits out wisdom in one moment and cracks up the audiences the next with a ignorant line / expression. It works. The humour works for younger audiences and the message for the older ones. And it works well because the message is a strong and positive one. I like this one philosophical advice,
The past is history. The Future is a mystery. That’s why the present is called a gift.
I’m not sure if the scriptwriter borrowed it elsewhere, but it’s brilliant nonetheless.
I’ll have to touch a little on the animation since it is an animation. Alot of hardwork has been researched and done seamlessly. There’s this prominent sparring scene between mentor and student in one point in the movie, that’s really impressive (to me at least). The fluid martial arts movements, the direction and choreography of the fight sequences and again the message at the end of it, are just plain top notch. If you’re like me, you’ll be wowed by it.
Summary
Great animation, beautiful setting (art) and characterisation, cliched story yes but brilliant message and an excellent stress reliever. Words wont’t do this animation justice. Go watch it for a whole lot of fun. I’ll guarantee you non-stop laughters and will be on a high dose of endorphin afterwards. You’ll enjoy it even if you’re 5 or 50 years old. Dreamworks somehow have nailed it. So don’t you dare missed it then. Fwaahyaah!
Verdict
Rating: 8.5/10
One of the best animation of the year. (till the next Pixar masterpiece)
// Filed under: Media