The animated movie Kung Fu Panda is a delight—one of the best films of its type that manages to be both hilarious and heartfelt. Released in 2008, it still holds up as an amazing-looking piece of entertainment.
In the above 16-minute video, Everything GREAT About Kung Fu Panda! offers a witty take on why the film is just that—Great. To watch the video, click the play button at the left of the feature image above.
If, for some reason, you’ve never seen it—it’s directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson; the film tells the story of a clumsy but lovable panda named Po (voiced by Jack Black) who dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master.
The film’s animation uses a vivid and vibrant visual style that draws inspiration from traditional Chinese art and design, but its characters make Kung Fu Panda stand out. Po is a lovable and relatable hero with infectious enthusiasm and endearing clumsiness. His journey from a self-doubting noodle maker to a confident and skilled Kung Fu warrior is inspiring and heartwarming.
The supporting characters are equally memorable, from the prickly Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) to the wise and eccentric Oogway (voiced by Randall Duk Kim) to the fierce and loyal members of the Furious Five, a group of Kung Fu masters who serve as Po’s teammates.
The film’s themes of self-discovery, self-worth, and the importance of teamwork and community are handled subtly and gracefully. The relationship between Po and Shifu is particularly well-developed, with Shifu gradually coming to see the potential in his seemingly hopeless student.
Kung Fu Panda has a clever script that appeals to both children and adults. Jack Black’s comedic talents are on full display here, but the rest of the voice cast is equally strong, with standout performances from Hoffman, Kim, and Ian McShane as the villainous Tai Lung.
Some facts about Kung Fu Panda:
*Originally, the character of Po was envisioned as a comedic sidekick, but after Jack Black was cast, the character was rewritten as the lead.
*The film’s animators visited China to research the film’s design and architecture.
*The Furious Five, Po’s fellow Kung Fu warriors, are named after different Chinese zodiac animals: Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane.
*A live-action martial arts film was initially planned for Kung Fu Panda, but after executives at DreamWorks saw some early concept art, they decided to make it an animated movie instead.
*Dustin Hoffman, who voices the character of Master Shifu, initially turned down the role because he didn’t want to play another “wise old man” character but changed his mind after reading the script.
*The film’s climax, in which Po fights Tai Lung atop a tower, was inspired by a similar scene in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
*The film’s release in China was delayed because censors were concerned about using the word “kung fu” in the title, which they felt was disrespectful to the martial art.
*The film was a surprise critical and commercial success, grossing over $630 million worldwide and receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.
