Kung Fu Panda: A Lesson on Accepting your own Unique Potential

"Kung Fu Panda" is a colorful computer generated comedy about an unlikely hero panda named Po (Jack Black) who, by attempting to be like the martial artists he idolizes, realizes his own inner "awesomeness" by simply being himself. Directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne, "Kung Fu Panda" is a light hearted message of accepting yourself, and using your own unique potential to its fullest instead of trying to be something you're not. Between scenes of incredible animation, and classic Jack Black comedy, "Kung Fu Panda" is an excellent movie for martial artists of all ages.

Po, the Panda son of a Duck noodle cook, is introduced as the stereotypical comic book fan who wishes he could do more with his life than follow in his father's footsteps by inheriting a dull secret noodle recipe. In classic Chinese fashion, Po is torn between fulfilling his fathers wish of him taking over the family business, and pursuing his own embarrassing dream of being a kung fu master. The opening scene is Po's fantasy of being the greatest kung fu master in all of china; blinding his enemies with sheer awesomeness and winning the respect of the Furious Five, the great kung fu masters that he adoringly worships. Yet, sadly, he is eventually woken and flung back into a reality where he is a fat, untalented noodle waiter. The world, again and again, painfully reminds him that he should give up his dream and do as his father wishes.

When fate miraculously steps in and Po finds himself peculiarly chosen as the legendary Dragon Warrior to defeat the dreaded Snow Leopard, Tai Lung, despite his obviously incompetent qualities, he eagerly steps forward. Po's training begins only after a long process of his master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and fellow students Tiger(Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Serpent (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogan), and Crane (David Cross)doing everything within their power to get him to quit, believing him not to be the Dragon Warrior at all. Po, however, perseveres and keeps enthusiastically coming back for more punishment, willing to do anything to become the kung fu master he has dreamed his whole life of becoming. It is only after his Master, taking the advice of his own Tortoise Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim), realizes that Po is a unique student with his own individual strengths that should be cultivated and not chastised.

Before Po faces Tai Lung,

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: Kung Fu Panda?
We want to hear your view. Write now!