A funny film with a serious message The beginning of a strong friendship A Kung Fu Film Sitting down to write this review I realised that this film is like a Kung Fu master. There is much skill in this film. It is visually spectacular, mixing fast action scenes with hilarious slow motion. Insightful wisdom mixed with perfectly placed humour. Best of all are the central characters. Po the Panda is fat, lazy, clumsy and instantly likeable. Shifu Master of the Five is my favourite. He is small but incredibly powerful in Kung Fu. He is impatient, easily frustrated by Po, worried about many things but diligently tries to listen to and believe his Masters teaching (Tortoise). My next favourite character is the turtle Master Oogway. He is painfully slow as he is wise. There is some very good advice that comes from the turtle master.
Quotes from Master Oogway
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” “One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it.”
Other characters The famous five don't have as much to do in this film as I expected. Monkey (Jackie Chan) has hardly a thing to say. But the battle between them and the main baddie Tai Lung the panther is exciting and expertly handled. Shifu and Po One of the biggest delights for me is the growing friendship between Shifu and Po. They are poles apart; Shifu is small, fast and feisty where Po is big, slow and unfit. Po drives Shifu crazy who takes out his frustration and fear out on Po until he is convinced by Oogway to take believe in Po. Here is a wonderful demonstration of how real genuine friendship can grow despite the differences of character. There is a delightful understanding between master and pupil. Brilliant is the scene where Master is seeking to be peaceful and Po asks whether he should stop talking. Shifu replies "If you can." Strong Humour and Strong message There is quality humour in this film which allows the message and wisdom to be conveyed without being preachy. The fundamental message is to believe in yourself and in doing so you can achieve anything. When Po concentrates on Kung Fu he stinks but when it comes to food he is amazing. His fatness turns to be an advantage and his clumsiness has incredible luck. The real world is different. Humility is promoted. Turtle forbade Panther the Dragon scroll because panther was full of pride. Po has dreams of being a Kung Fu legend but is not prideful. And for this reason we relate to his pain and his desire to change. He is willing to suffer physically but declares that this pain is not as bad as the pain of his own self loathing. Believe not in yourself but in Jesus Christ Movies can teach the philosophy of 'believing yourself' because they can make it work. But in the real world you need to learn to believe in something more believable. Not yourself but in Jesus Christ. He is the one who raises the dead, gives sight to the blind, heals the sick and makes the lame to walk, he walks on water and stills the storm with a word, he makes wise the simple and he forgives sinners who repent (say sorry). 4 Stars Fantastically enjoyable, plenty of action, laughs, fun and engaging characters. |
