What happens when Kung Fu is mixed with Dreamworks animation? A dose of awesomeness!!!! One of the best animated films I have ever seen (if the not THE BEST)! I’ve always been a big Pixar fan but this movie definitely put Dreamworks on top of my list.
Plot: I can totally relate to this story because the movie is about destiny and how everything happens for a reason. There are no accidents.
Cast: the best pairing of voices/characters I’ve ever seen:
Jack Black – “Po”
Angelina Jolie – “Tigress”
Jackie Chan – “Monkey”
Lucy Liu – “Viper”
Dustin Hoffman – “Master Shifu”
Seth Rogen – “Mantis”
David Cross – “Crane”
Ian McShane – “Tai Lung”
Michael Clarke Duncan – “Commander Vachir”
Dan Fogler – “Zeng”
James Hong – “Mr. Ping”
Randall Duk Kim – “Master Oogway”
I love Tigress (Angelina Jolie) and Po (Jack Black) in the movie, but my most favorite character would have to be Master Oogway. He’s an old turtle who’s all about finding the meaning of life and the peace within one’s soul. Yet, he’s also a badass mofo with a stick.
Effects/Art: For an animated film, there were a lot of parts that looked almost realistic. The animation was very smooth and very detailed. I was amazed at how they incorporated Kung Fu in the movie. The Kung Fu animation was excellent. They couldn’t have done it any better.
Also keep an eye out for the artistic background of China. In the words of Jack Black, “Mesmerizing!” Then, the Kung Fu sound effects of the movie made it perfect! Keep an eye out for the Prison and Bridge scene!! Wow!
After watching the movie, I decided to watch the sneak preview of Kung Fu Panda on OnDemand and they mentioned how each animal represents a fighting style in Kung Fu. How did I not catch that!?!?! Very clever!
Tiger style – all offense, all attack no defense; requires strength
Monkey style – sloppy yet acrobatic, very quick
Crane style – defensive style of fighting; deflection
Viper style – smooth and deadly, deceiving
Mantis style – “whip-like/circular motions to deflect direct attacks, which it follows up with precise attacks to the opponent’s vital spots” (I had to research this one cuz it was not mentioned in the sneak preview)
Overall, this is one movie I will definitely add to my collection and would watch over and over again. You have to watch it at least twice to really see the Kung Fu choreography, art, and detail of the movie. SKADOOSH!!
Filed under: Movies | Tagged: Angelina Jolie, animation, Celebrity, China, crane, Dreamworks, Jack Black, Kung Fu, Kung Fu fighting style, Mantis, Monkey, OnDemand, Panda, Tiger, Viper
you serious you did not identify those fighting styles?! lol easily it’s depicted with the animals hahah
all good tho.. i read your review too with sandler’s latest movie and from what ive read.. it’s panda who wins the movie choice between the two.
im skipping both for now to see the incredible hulk this friday.. yee!!! i got free movie tickets too cuz i bought two dvds from best buy [dvd promos]. holler baller.. i’ll definitely be wearing my hat i bought at san diego haha
One of my all-time favorite movies (and that’s saying a lot).
The theater near us had one of those huge Po figures, too; man, I’d love to get a hold of one of those.
Great to see another fan!