Kung Fu Panda
Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim, Ian McShane,
In ancient China, an unlikely hero named Po (Jack Black) might just be the laziest, clumsiest panda in the Valley of Peace, but he secretly dreams of becoming a Kung Fu legend. When the villainous snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) threatens Po's homeland, the hapless panda is chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy to become the Dragon Warrior and defend the Valley from Tai Lung’s attack. Training under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Po embarks on an epic journey to understand his new identity as the Dragon Warrior and master Kung Fu before Tai Lung destroys the Valley forever.
Secrecy is a powerful theme in this film, and nowhere are secrets better kept than the characters of Po and his father, Mr. Ping, and the journey Po takes towards understanding his new identity.
When Po tells his father, Mr. Ping (James Hong) that he has finally had the “noodle dream” his father is overjoyed that now, he can finally reveal the secret ingredient of his special soup to his son, so that Po will take his place one day. When Po’s father finally reveals the “secret ingredient” of his soup to Po, it allows Po to finally understand the Dragon Scroll’s secret meaning. When Po looks at the scroll for a second time, he doesn’t see just nothing anymore…he sees a reflection of himself. Mr. Ping tells Po, “There is no secret ingredient… to make something special, you just must believe that it is special. It is only when Po believes that he is the Dragon Warrior, that he becomes impervious to Tai Lungs attacks. And while we see Po adopting the techniques that Master Shifu taught him, it is only when Po engages his own secret move – the Wuxi finger hold – that he can defeat Tai Lung and the valley regards Po as the Dragon Warrior with deep reverence, rather than scorn.
Another secret that is woven into this story, is ‘the secret to ultimate power’. Master Shifu tells Po that the secret to ultimate power is hidden within the Dragon Scroll and that as the new potential Dragon Warrior, Po would not be worthy of obtaining the Dragon Scroll until he had mastered the art of Kung Fu. Although reluctant to accept that this unwanted Panda is the Dragon Warrior, and their only hope of salvation from Tai Lung, Master Shifu reluctantly begins Po’s training in the art of Kung Fu…but he soon realizes that Po was not like the Furious Five, and that if he has any hope of transforming the clumsy panda into the Dragon Warrior, Shifu must change his perspective when it comes to training Po. As they are sparring together, Shifu relaxes a bit from the wise, stern teacher, and at the end, when Po outsmarts Shifu and catches the dumpling, there is a moment where Shifu is impressed by Po's technique, and they both realize they've won the other's respect. It is in this moment that Shifu deems that Po is worthy of receiving the Dragon Scroll.
The title of Dragon Warrior plays a significant role in this film in three diverse ways. For the Furious Five (Tigress, Monkey, Snake, Mantis, and Crane), the title Dragon Warrior represents honor. It is the title given to the student who had proven themselves worthy by having a true respect and understanding of the art of Kung Fu. Initially, the Furious Five do not accept Po because he does not reflect the same warrior spirit that they do. In the end, he earns their respect by proving that he is worthy of becoming the Dragon Warrior in his own way.
For the villain, a snow leopard named Tai Lung, his desire to become the Dragon Warrior did not stem from a place of honor and respect for the art, but from his own selfish desire for power. Like Po, Master Shifu trained Tai Lung in the art of Kung Fu, to embrace his destiny as the Dragon Warrior. Although he proved to be a powerful adversary, Tai Lung failed to understand the true meaning of the Dragon Warrior prophecy, and thus his ambition of becoming the Dragon Warrior was left unfulfilled.
Initially, Po does not understand what it means to be the Dragon Warrior because he is not a warrior. His clumsy stature and flamboyant nature contrast sharply with the noble presence of Master Shifu and the Furious Five. It was not his ability that allowed him to be chosen, but an ironic twist of fate. When Po finally understands the true meaning of Kung Fu, he realizes it wasn’t his physical prowess or his intellect that made him a warrior. It was Po, believing in the strength of his own heart that finally allowed him to defeat both Tai Lung and his own self-doubt.
"Kung Fu Panda" is a creatively written and stunningly beautiful movie that combines lighthearted humor with a deeply heartfelt message to create a truly remarkable story. With exceptional casting, outstanding martial arts moves, and a deeply emotional core, both children and adults may enjoy this film.
© 2023 - Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim, Ian McShane,
In ancient China, an unlikely hero named Po (Jack Black) might just be the laziest, clumsiest panda in the Valley of Peace, but he secretly dreams of becoming a Kung Fu legend. When the villainous snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) threatens Po's homeland, the hapless panda is chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy to become the Dragon Warrior and defend the Valley from Tai Lung’s attack. Training under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Po embarks on an epic journey to understand his new identity as the Dragon Warrior and master Kung Fu before Tai Lung destroys the Valley forever.
Secrecy is a powerful theme in this film, and nowhere are secrets better kept than the characters of Po and his father, Mr. Ping, and the journey Po takes towards understanding his new identity.
When Po tells his father, Mr. Ping (James Hong) that he has finally had the “noodle dream” his father is overjoyed that now, he can finally reveal the secret ingredient of his special soup to his son, so that Po will take his place one day. When Po’s father finally reveals the “secret ingredient” of his soup to Po, it allows Po to finally understand the Dragon Scroll’s secret meaning. When Po looks at the scroll for a second time, he doesn’t see just nothing anymore…he sees a reflection of himself. Mr. Ping tells Po, “There is no secret ingredient… to make something special, you just must believe that it is special. It is only when Po believes that he is the Dragon Warrior, that he becomes impervious to Tai Lungs attacks. And while we see Po adopting the techniques that Master Shifu taught him, it is only when Po engages his own secret move – the Wuxi finger hold – that he can defeat Tai Lung and the valley regards Po as the Dragon Warrior with deep reverence, rather than scorn.
Another secret that is woven into this story, is ‘the secret to ultimate power’. Master Shifu tells Po that the secret to ultimate power is hidden within the Dragon Scroll and that as the new potential Dragon Warrior, Po would not be worthy of obtaining the Dragon Scroll until he had mastered the art of Kung Fu. Although reluctant to accept that this unwanted Panda is the Dragon Warrior, and their only hope of salvation from Tai Lung, Master Shifu reluctantly begins Po’s training in the art of Kung Fu…but he soon realizes that Po was not like the Furious Five, and that if he has any hope of transforming the clumsy panda into the Dragon Warrior, Shifu must change his perspective when it comes to training Po. As they are sparring together, Shifu relaxes a bit from the wise, stern teacher, and at the end, when Po outsmarts Shifu and catches the dumpling, there is a moment where Shifu is impressed by Po's technique, and they both realize they've won the other's respect. It is in this moment that Shifu deems that Po is worthy of receiving the Dragon Scroll.
The title of Dragon Warrior plays a significant role in this film in three diverse ways. For the Furious Five (Tigress, Monkey, Snake, Mantis, and Crane), the title Dragon Warrior represents honor. It is the title given to the student who had proven themselves worthy by having a true respect and understanding of the art of Kung Fu. Initially, the Furious Five do not accept Po because he does not reflect the same warrior spirit that they do. In the end, he earns their respect by proving that he is worthy of becoming the Dragon Warrior in his own way.
For the villain, a snow leopard named Tai Lung, his desire to become the Dragon Warrior did not stem from a place of honor and respect for the art, but from his own selfish desire for power. Like Po, Master Shifu trained Tai Lung in the art of Kung Fu, to embrace his destiny as the Dragon Warrior. Although he proved to be a powerful adversary, Tai Lung failed to understand the true meaning of the Dragon Warrior prophecy, and thus his ambition of becoming the Dragon Warrior was left unfulfilled.
Initially, Po does not understand what it means to be the Dragon Warrior because he is not a warrior. His clumsy stature and flamboyant nature contrast sharply with the noble presence of Master Shifu and the Furious Five. It was not his ability that allowed him to be chosen, but an ironic twist of fate. When Po finally understands the true meaning of Kung Fu, he realizes it wasn’t his physical prowess or his intellect that made him a warrior. It was Po, believing in the strength of his own heart that finally allowed him to defeat both Tai Lung and his own self-doubt.
"Kung Fu Panda" is a creatively written and stunningly beautiful movie that combines lighthearted humor with a deeply heartfelt message to create a truly remarkable story. With exceptional casting, outstanding martial arts moves, and a deeply emotional core, both children and adults may enjoy this film.
© 2023 - Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.