Jason KingKung Fu Panda ($14-)
June 20th 2008 04:19
Kung Fu Panda ($14-)
"Kung Fu Panda" features Jack Black as Po the Panda, a lowly waiter in a noodle restaurant, who is a kung fu fanatic but whose shape doesn't exactly lend itself to kung fu fighting. In fact, Po's defining characteristic appears to be that he is the laziest of all the animals in ancient China. That's a problem because powerful enemies are at the gates, and all hopes have been pinned on a prophesy naming Po as the "Chosen One" to save the day. A group of martial arts masters are going to need a black belt in patience if they are going to turn this slacker panda into a kung fu fighter before it's too late. -- © DreamWorks
The cast is out of this world. Jack Black is THE cartoon character and I would say the best one of these new age animation characters of all time. I find him funnier than Shrek, he is BRILLIANT and I want a sequel. Him as PO is unstoppable. He is hitting his comedic peak where things can stay brilliant for him like it did for Jim Carrey or things can start looking horrible bad like that Will Ferrell guy. His comedic timing in this is like outtakes of a Jim Carrey film where he is just let loose and comedic flow comes out like a karmic calling. The rest of the cast is amazing but nothing on Black. Here's the list. Dustin Hoffman as Shifu, Angelina Jolie as Tigress, Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Jackie Chan as Monkey, Seth Rogen as Mantis, Lucy Liu as Viper, David Cross as Crane, Randall Duk Kim as Oogway, James Hong as Mr. Ping, Dan Fogler as Zeng and Michael Clarke Duncan. But to be honest I think they could have gotten away and saved thousands by using Jack Black, Ian McShane and Dustin Hoffman and then used no-names. I think Jackie Chan had only one line, maybe two. Seth Rogan has a few more as does Angelina Jolie but it's the visuals we are watching them for, not the voices. During the credits Sam even said to me "was that Angelina?". Don't get me wrong, they were all great but this film was about Po and no one else and it was quite distracting trying to work out who was who. I just love Ian McShane's voice and was worried he was going to drop a few f bombs and a c bomb from Deadwood. That voice is so scratchy and perfect for evil!
This is probably the most visual Dreamworks animation ever made. It is just a step in front of The Lion King and Finding Nemo for a perfect animation. About on par with Happy Feet with its visual splendor. The way everything flows is very smooth and the style of animation used to create the scenery and Kung Fu is breathtaking. The individual fighting styles of the Furious Five members (Crane, Mantis, Tiger, Monkey and Viper) are actual martial art styles modeled after the particular animals. Po even employs the authentic bear-style of kung fu in his final fight with Tai Lung.
While the plot may employ the same formulaic stylings of many of its predecessors none of them I found as funny or as visual and none of them had a character like Po voiced by Jack Black. Not only that, the Kung Fu is authentic to a point, and has enough action sequences to keep the entire cinema happy from the little ones (who you will be forced to buy lifesized Po's for and feed the merchandising bandwagon of this incredibly profitable film) to the adults that may burst a hernia laughing at Black to the Kung Fu freaks that may injure each other or selves in the car park at the films conclusion trying to imitate their favourite characters.
Trivia: (thankyou IMDB) 1) The Kung Fu/ Wu-xia convention where attacks on the correct nerve/ Chi points can cause paralysis and other effects is adopted although it is not explained in the film, and the jade figurine topped sticks on the shell worn on the imprisoned Tai Lung are positioned at the traditional Chi energy points of the body. The sticks are intended to keep the villain from accessing the power from those points, which is why he was first concerned about removing them before attempting to break his chains. 2) WILHELM SCREAM: When Tai Lung is escaping prison and is hitting the guards with a mace. He flings a guard into the air and when he kicks the guard through the door, just before he lands, you hear it.
One of the best films in cinemas at the moment and thoroughly recommend viewing. Apologies to adults with youngsters who will have to watch this at the cinema, then have to buy it on DVD and watch it about 10000000000000000000000000000 00 times. But hey, it could be much worse. Worth $14-
"Kung Fu Panda" features Jack Black as Po the Panda, a lowly waiter in a noodle restaurant, who is a kung fu fanatic but whose shape doesn't exactly lend itself to kung fu fighting. In fact, Po's defining characteristic appears to be that he is the laziest of all the animals in ancient China. That's a problem because powerful enemies are at the gates, and all hopes have been pinned on a prophesy naming Po as the "Chosen One" to save the day. A group of martial arts masters are going to need a black belt in patience if they are going to turn this slacker panda into a kung fu fighter before it's too late. -- © DreamWorks
The cast is out of this world. Jack Black is THE cartoon character and I would say the best one of these new age animation characters of all time. I find him funnier than Shrek, he is BRILLIANT and I want a sequel. Him as PO is unstoppable. He is hitting his comedic peak where things can stay brilliant for him like it did for Jim Carrey or things can start looking horrible bad like that Will Ferrell guy. His comedic timing in this is like outtakes of a Jim Carrey film where he is just let loose and comedic flow comes out like a karmic calling. The rest of the cast is amazing but nothing on Black. Here's the list. Dustin Hoffman as Shifu, Angelina Jolie as Tigress, Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Jackie Chan as Monkey, Seth Rogen as Mantis, Lucy Liu as Viper, David Cross as Crane, Randall Duk Kim as Oogway, James Hong as Mr. Ping, Dan Fogler as Zeng and Michael Clarke Duncan. But to be honest I think they could have gotten away and saved thousands by using Jack Black, Ian McShane and Dustin Hoffman and then used no-names. I think Jackie Chan had only one line, maybe two. Seth Rogan has a few more as does Angelina Jolie but it's the visuals we are watching them for, not the voices. During the credits Sam even said to me "was that Angelina?". Don't get me wrong, they were all great but this film was about Po and no one else and it was quite distracting trying to work out who was who. I just love Ian McShane's voice and was worried he was going to drop a few f bombs and a c bomb from Deadwood. That voice is so scratchy and perfect for evil!
This is probably the most visual Dreamworks animation ever made. It is just a step in front of The Lion King and Finding Nemo for a perfect animation. About on par with Happy Feet with its visual splendor. The way everything flows is very smooth and the style of animation used to create the scenery and Kung Fu is breathtaking. The individual fighting styles of the Furious Five members (Crane, Mantis, Tiger, Monkey and Viper) are actual martial art styles modeled after the particular animals. Po even employs the authentic bear-style of kung fu in his final fight with Tai Lung.
While the plot may employ the same formulaic stylings of many of its predecessors none of them I found as funny or as visual and none of them had a character like Po voiced by Jack Black. Not only that, the Kung Fu is authentic to a point, and has enough action sequences to keep the entire cinema happy from the little ones (who you will be forced to buy lifesized Po's for and feed the merchandising bandwagon of this incredibly profitable film) to the adults that may burst a hernia laughing at Black to the Kung Fu freaks that may injure each other or selves in the car park at the films conclusion trying to imitate their favourite characters.
Trivia: (thankyou IMDB) 1) The Kung Fu/ Wu-xia convention where attacks on the correct nerve/ Chi points can cause paralysis and other effects is adopted although it is not explained in the film, and the jade figurine topped sticks on the shell worn on the imprisoned Tai Lung are positioned at the traditional Chi energy points of the body. The sticks are intended to keep the villain from accessing the power from those points, which is why he was first concerned about removing them before attempting to break his chains. 2) WILHELM SCREAM: When Tai Lung is escaping prison and is hitting the guards with a mace. He flings a guard into the air and when he kicks the guard through the door, just before he lands, you hear it.
One of the best films in cinemas at the moment and thoroughly recommend viewing. Apologies to adults with youngsters who will have to watch this at the cinema, then have to buy it on DVD and watch it about 10000000000000000000000000000 00 times. But hey, it could be much worse. Worth $14-
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Great review. I saw this film last week and also thought it was an authentic, non-typical animated film. Jack Black was excellent.
I don't usually promote my blog, but here's my blurb if you feel like a look.
Tracy
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Everyone promotes their blurb/ blog - go for it!!
Jack Black was great!! I missed him by 5min - I was at the State Theatre to see Trope De Elite after Kung Fu Panda. Boo me!! Jealous of you!!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
What was Trope De Elite like? Have you done a post? I'm a bit behind with my Orble homework lately
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
It's very heavy and only for the serious filmies or violence junkies. But well worth the watch that highlights a forgotten people left to their own devices.
Thanks for the comments too!!
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I must have been hiding under a rock, I hadn't heard much about it but it looks great! I think I'll put it on my must see list for the net week or two. I'm finally going to see El Orfanato on Sunday!
I'm obviously a little slow. I'm old, cut me some slack
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