Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
2:17 PM
The Weight Is Over
Kung Fu Panda 3 is directed by Alessandro Carloni (Directoral Debut) and Jennifer Yuh (Kung Fu Panda 2). The film comes 5 years after the sequel and features the voices of Jack Black (King Kong, School of Rock), Angelina Jolie (Maleficent, Salt), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash, Spider-man), Kate Hudson (Almost Famous, Bride Wars), Bryan Cranston (Trumbo, Breaking Bad) and many others. "Continuing his "legendary adventures of awesomeness", Po must face two hugely epic, but different threats: one supernatural and the other a little closer to his home". Is this third entry in the series a valid entry or was it just made for the money?
There is no doubt that this film was made for the money - Dreamworks were struggling so continued their previously successful franchises (Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon) that they could rely on in order to bring in the money. Was this sequel necessary? No. Did I enjoy it? Yes - it is a solid animated film that has a lot of heart and a really nice message. Kung Fu Panda 3 is full of the cliches of todays animated films but that doesn't stop it from being a really heart-warming and enjoyable watch.
I have to admit, I wasn't really enjoying Kung Fu Panda 3 until the story moved to the Panda village. I thought it was a little slow before this and it was just a bit weird. I would definitely say that the second two thirds were much stronger than the first third. The story for this film was very cliche and we have seen it done millions of times but it is a formula that works so I don't blame Dreamworks for going there. The whole message about being yourself is very positive and a great message for children to hear. One of the moments towards the end of the film where all of the characters are explaining how Po helped them to be them was actually quite emotional even though a lot of what they were saying was pretty funny. Kung Fu Panda 3 is written quite well - I can't think of any big plot holes off of the top of my head and I think the story ties a nice bow on the franchise - I don't think it needs to be revisited after this. The film is also very funny - I laughed out loud quite a few times during the film - mostly due to the variety of Pandas in the village. The only complaints I have about this film is that it brings nothing new to the table and the first third is much weaker than the rest of the film.
Kung Fu Panda 3 is very well animated which is definitely one of the strongest aspects of the film. I think this series could easily just be as generic with its animation as it is with its story but no, these films have their own style. Kung Fu Panda 3 showcases quite a few types of animation - both the traditional 2D style and the modern 3D style. I thought this was nice and it was good to see the more traditional styles still being used in modern films. I also thought it was interesting how the backdrops for most of the scenes were all quite 2D which is what I mean with the style of the film - it is quite unique and isn't like any other animated films being made today. The characters are all well animated and the baby Pandas look as cute as you want them to be.
Kung Fu Panda 3 is also really well voiced by all of the cast. Po has become Jack Black's signature role and he reprises the character just as well as ever here. Angelina Jolie feels a little underused - she has hardly any lines in the first half of the film. I thought J.K. Simmons was very good as well - since his Oscar win for Whiplash, he just can't avoid these villainous roles. I am disappointed that Rebel Wilson had to drop out of this film as you could tell the lines were made for her and were very Rebel Wilson - Kate Hudson did well with the lines but you could tell she definitely was miscast. However, if you didn't know Wilson was to supposed to play the role, she would probably easily be unnoticed and nobody would comment on her performance as much.
Kung Fu Panda 3 is unsurprisingly well animated with a generic and cliche storyline. This film was definitely made for the money but that can be forgiven by the last two thirds of the film being very strong. The first third doesn't really fit in as well and is a little on the slow side. Kung Fu Panda is well voiced - led by Jack Black but Rebel Wilson is missed. Kung Fu Panda 3 is a solid animation that will please families - children and adults should love it!
3.5 STARS
B
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