Kung Fu Panda (2008) - Review by Lianna Melchiorre

The film Kung Fu Panda , follows the story of Po, a panda who is currently working at

his father's noodle shop but dreams of becoming a kung fu master. Unexpectedly, he is

chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, when Master Oogway deems him the Dragon Warrior. Despite being met with initial refusal, he is eventually trained by Master Shifu alongside the Furious Five, an esteemed group of martial artists. Tai Lung, a villainous leopard, escapes his imprisonment and attempts to steal the title of Dragon Warrior. However, Po is able to save his village when he realizes that his true power lies within himself.

The film is a Dreamworks production directed by John Stevenson who made the

executive decision to create a wuxia film, rather than the originally planned spoof on the

kung fu trope. The movie features Jack Black as Po, Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, Ian

McShane as Tai Lung, as well as various other well known actors, all of which are

western-born except for Jackie Chan, who voices Master Monkey. Art director Tang Kheng Heng and production designer Raymond Zibach had spent many years researching Chinese art, architecture, and kung fu films prior to the making of the film, so as to accurately depict an ancient Chinese setting. Finally, the film features a musical score influenced by the Chinese National Symphony and composed using traditional Chinese musical instruments. The film Kung Fu Panda was well received in America, winning several Academy awards and Annie awards, as well as in China where it was the first animated film to earn more than 100 million Yuan in Chinese box offices.

The film is a character-based, comedic wuxia film. Wuxia is a primarily historical

genre of Chinese fiction that follows the adventures of martial artists in ancient China; thus ensuring historical accuracy in the film’s setting and imagery. For instance, there are several depictions of oriental buildings and locations that reference those of antiquity, such as the Jade Palace, a sacred pagoda, and the Valley of Peace. The film also features numerous mundane but essential items that were a part of life in ancient China, such as porcelain wares, chopsticks, noodles, dumplings, tofu, and firecrackers and lanterns for festivities. It is notable that works in the wuxia genre are generally not dynasty specific, but draw from key motifs associated with ancient China. The wuxia genre presents a warrior that upholds several Confucian values, but is also able to be pragmatic, often choosing which they exhibit.

Therefore, the film places emphasis on the notion of ren or humanesses and leading by

example, but also allows for individualism to gain precedence in the narrative as well.

Individualism or following one's own desires is an ideology more closely related to

contemporary America, as seen in Po rejecting his father’s expectations and instead following his own dreams and desires. Confucianism from ancient China focuses on filial piety and the betterment of the self in order to benefit the whole of society; therefore contrasting with Po’s decision to become a kung fu master. The film also draws from Taoism as seen in Master Oogway referencing the notion of finding a middle way between good and bad, and the inclusion of the idea of non-being seen in the blank Dragon Scroll and the non-existent secret noodle ingredient. Finally the wuxia genre places heavy emphasis on martial arts, specifically wushu, but also allows for creative liberties and often the inclusion of superhuman abilities.

For the most part, the film uses correct terminology, except in instances intended to have a comedic effect, such as the snickety-snake and crazy feet. Furthermore, despite drawing from actual kung fu practices such as dianxue or paralyzing by touching acupuncture points, qinggong or a form of martials arts that involves parkour, and Neili or the use of internal energy for attacks , the genre of the film allows for superhuman strength, speed, healing, endurance, and stamina to be exhibited by characters.