Kung Fu Panda (2008)

A lazy panda who loves dumplings becomes a legendary martial-arts hero. By the plot alone it sounds like just another children’s comedy. And yet Kung Fu Panda takes that obvious premise and crafts a surprisingly graceful and solid story. Ink-wash-style landscapes that fill the screen, refreshing action, and a surprisingly deep message all come together as one.

What it’s about — A dumpling-loving panda becomes the Dragon Warrior

Po (Jack Black), the son of a noodle-shop owner, idolizes martial-arts heroes, yet he himself is an ordinary panda who gets winded just climbing stairs. One day, having tumbled by chance into Master Shifu’s training hall, he is, against everyone’s expectations, designated the legendary martial-arts master, the Dragon Warrior. Faced with this absurd choice that not even the invincible Furious Five of Tiger, Crane, Mantis, Viper, and Monkey will accept, Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) is at his wits’ end. But as the ferocious leopard Tai Lung, escaped from prison, draws near the village, Po is put to the test of whether he can become the true Dragon Warrior.

Direction — The speed of Hong Kong wuxia in an ink-wash painting

Kung Fu Panda’s greatest achievement is its visuals. The two directors transpose the mood of Chinese landscape painting into 3D animation, while preserving in the action scenes the very speed and impact of Hong Kong wuxia cinema. From the black-and-white dream of the opening, to the chase on the bridge, to the chopstick duel between Shifu and Po over a single bowl of dumplings, every movement carries a clear rhythm and weight. It is not merely flashy but direction that knows exactly what to show.

The rhythm of the comedy is clever too. The balance between the laughter that springs from Po’s clumsy gestures and the suddenly arriving serious moments never falters. Oogway’s koan-like lines in particular lightly amuse while naturally holding the film’s theme, leaving even adult viewers something to chew over.

The use of color and music cannot be left out either. Vivid color contrasts, a red sunset, a golden palace, a blue mountain deep in the night, make every scene look like a painting. The score by Hans Zimmer and John Powell preserves the flavor of traditional Chinese instruments while never losing the force of a Hollywood blockbuster, firmly supporting both action and emotion. It is an uncommon animation that satisfies the pleasures of watching and listening at once.

Performance — Po, shaped by Jack Black’s voice

The credit owed to the voice acting is great. Jack Black perfectly renders Po’s giddy energy, his clumsiness, and his inner self-doubt through voice alone. Without him, the character of Po could not have been this lovable. Dustin Hoffman expresses the prickly but deep-hearted Shifu in a restrained register, adding weighty persuasiveness to the master-student relationship with Po. Angelina Jolie’s Tigress calmly draws the change of a haughty figure who gradually opens her heart, and Ian McShane lends Tai Lung a tragic shadow beyond a simple villain. With each character’s distinct personality alive, even brief appearances leave a clear impression.

What the film says — There is no secret; believe in yourself

The core of this film lies in the single truth revealed when the Dragon Scroll is unfurled. There is no special secret or magic ingredient; believing in yourself is itself the start of being extraordinary. It is a lesson that could sound trite, but the film does not preach it, showing it step by step through Po’s growth. The story that the most ordinary being becomes strongest the moment it accepts itself moves the heart regardless of age.

Ratings and reception

By major film-database measures the rating is 7.6/10. Its critical freshness index drew a high 87 percent, and its aggregate critic score recorded 74 out of 100. It is regarded as a case of capturing both artistry and box office within the frame of family animation, becoming a solid starting point for the series that followed.

Verdict

Kung Fu Panda is a film that easily surpasses expectations going in. It is a feast for the eyes, the laughs never stop, and yet by the end you feel as if you hold a small consolation in hand. With its near-flawless 90 minutes, the craft is tightly made. As a model of family animation, ★4.0 is well deserved.

Recommended for

• Those who want to enjoy gorgeous animation and refreshing action together
• Those seeking a family film with a message worth chewing over even for adults
• Those who love Jack Black’s signature cheerful energy