![]() ![]() This film doubles down and offers up a porcupine, a pair of badgers, a gorilla, a dolphin, a bear, and, our personal favorite, a chicken. In past films, in addition to the previously mentioned, we had a snow leopard, crocodile, a rhino, wolves, and a peacock. One of the most amusing and creative aspects of these films is the wide variety of creatures the filmmakers can imaging practicing Kung Fu. It’s a lot of fun listening to these amazing performers voice such an eclectic group of characters. Simmons and Jackie Chan for crying out loud. Jack Black and Angelina Jolie are just the two biggest names, but don’t forget Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, David Cross, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogan, J.K. Part of this is due to the script, and part is due to the ridiculously talented voice cast that has been assembled for these films. They also pack a lot of jokes, but to the writers’ credit, there is very little superfluous padding, and most of the jokes land perfectly. If you couldn’t tell, they pack a lot of plot into these “Kung Fu Panda” movies. Po will have to come to terms with both his limitations and the strengths of those around him if he and China are going to survive against onslaught of the mad Kai and his undead warriors. In the meantime, Po is getting re-acquainted with his heritage as his father, assumed to be long lost, re-emerges and reveals the existence of a secret Panda village. Upon the defeat of the ever enigmatic Oogway (a tortoise), Kai emerges into the corporeal realm with a host of mindless jade servants, bent on conquest. Kai, a hulking cape buffalo, is stealing the Chi (lifeforce) of all the ancient dead masters in an attempt to return to the world of the living. Apparently, even in the peaceful trippiness of the spirit world, there are still Kung Fu battles. Luckily, I was very, very wrong about “Kung Fu Panda,” and this week my family and I had a blast watching that series’ third installment.Īt the opening of this latest film, we find ourselves in the spirit realm where an ancient enemy is settling old debts. Just like no one would have believed that the guy who couldn’t get through a scene on Saturday Night Live without cracking up would one day take over The Tonight Show. When I heard that the company responsible for “Shrek” was going to make a movie about a Panda that knew Kung Fu starring Jack Black, I logically assumed it would be all fat and fart jokes. It’s the same with Po - Tigress, voiced by Angelina Jolie, is obviously better at Kung Fu than he is - but Po is so obviously in love with his place in the world, at the very idea that he gets to exist in proximity to his heroes, and that joy is what makes these movies work so well, despite all logic. But he just honestly loves the job and it shows. He’s not as prepped as Carson or as smart as Letterman. No one is saying Jimmy Fallon is the best writer, comedian, or performer out there. It’s that same enthusiasm that makes Jimmy Fallon work as a talk show host. ![]() I think what makes Po, Jack Black’s titular pugilist panda in the “Kung Fu Panda” movies, so ridiculously likeable is that he is such a fan. ![]()
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