DreamWorks’ popular action animation returns with a balance between comedy and themes of community, promising family entertainment with a few surprises
By Pamela Chow
Look out for this famously funny scene from the trailer, where Po (left, voiced by Jack Black) and Li (Bryan Cranston) first meet but don’t recognise each other.
I have a confession to make: I am not tickled by Po of Kung Fu Panda. Call me dull but that’s a fact I’ve come to accept after watching the first two Kung Fu Panda films.
Nonetheless, that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the two movies. Kung Fu Panda has successfully painted a world in which East and West dance together in a harmonious and vibrant performance, and where the most profound life lessons can be learned from the smallest of critters [I’m looking at you, Master Shifu].
This impressive aspect of the series of films reaches its highest point in Kung Fu Panda 3, where the character and story of Po further blossom into something much greater — not merely being vehicles of action and comic relief. It seems the writers and producers of Kung Fu Panda have attained a higher level of consciousness with each work.
MORE PANDAS, MORE CUTENESS
Amid Po’s new discoveries about his community and himself, he learns the true essence of being a kungfu master.
After a number of setbacks, including the awkward exchange that can be seen in the movie trailer, Po (voiced by the indelible Jack Black) reunites with his long-lost panda father Li (portrayed by Bryan Cranston of Trumbo and “Breaking Bad”). Together, the two travel to a secret paradise to reunite with a community of like-minded and equally-adorable pandas.
However, things aren’t exactly hunky-dory. A supernatural villain known as The Collector, or Kai (JK Simmons of “Growing Up Fisher”), is hunting down victims to quench his thirst for chi — a powerful energy. This evil yak (no, literally) has travelled across the land defeating various kungfu masters, and he only grows stronger with each battle.
Now, Po must fulfil the next challenge from his wise teacher, Master Shifu, (Dustin Hoffman) to train his fun-loving and clumsy panda friends and turn them into effective pugilists. Only as a skilled and disciplined unit can they take down the villainous Kai once and for all.
HEIGHTENED PANDA PROWESS
In Kung Fu Panda 3, Po (left) faces off with supernatural villain Kai (voiced by JK Simmons), who has swept across the land defeating kung fu masters.
Unlike in the last two movies, where Po is a never-ending fount of comedy, Kung Fu Panda 3 gives this bumbling gentle giant a much more meaningful exposition.
By connecting his identities as a martial artist, as a part of a family and as a member of a large community, Po learns the true essence of being a kungfu master. Where Po may have previously mastered the physical aspects of kungfu, it seems that he has now truly internalised its philosophies.
As Cypress Bai, reviewer on Canyon News, put it, Kung Fu Panda 3 has completed Po’s exploration of the three basic existential questions: “Who am I?”, “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?”
WHOLESOME ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
But don’t be worried; the movie isn’t laden with heavy questions about the meaning of life and the universe. These ponderous thoughts are explored and conveyed through a straightforward, engaging and fun story of the loveable, dumpling-eating Po.
Kung Fu Panda 3 has received rave reviews for hitting the mark as an entertaining and inspiring family film for viewers of all ages. When it comes down to it, who wouldn’t enjoy seeing the giant kungfu master Po cuddling oodles of baby pandas and imparting life lessons?
Kung Fu Panda 3 [G]
Directors: Jennifer Yuh Nelson & Alessandro Carloni
Starring: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu & Bryan Cranston
Genre: Action, Comedy, Animation, Family
Run length: 95 min
Release: 10 Mar
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