Kung Fu Panda Blu-ray delivers truly amazing video and audio in this exceptional Blu-ray release
Kung Fu Panda features Po the Panda, a lowly waiter in a noodle restaurant, who is a kung fu fanatic but whose shape doesn't exactly lend itself to kung fu fighting. That's a problem because powerful enemies are at the gates, and all hopes have been pinned on a prophesy naming Po as the "Chosen One" to save the day. A group of martial arts masters are going to need a black belt in patience if they are going to turn this slacker panda into a kung fu fighter before it's too late.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the
present.
Cuddly animals sell. Be they giant stuffed prizes at carnivals, the fluffy kitten in the corner pet
shop window, or characters in the latest live-action or animated films, furry four-legged creatures
are a marketer's dream come true. Hollywood has enjoyed a long and storied lineage of animals
in lead roles. Old Yeller, Milo & Otis, Lassie, Babe, Alvin and the
Chipmunks, and even Remmy
the Rat from last year's Ratatouille
effortlessly capture the hearts of audiences everywhere with their often human-like personas,
showing a range of emotion and stirring the soul through the good times and the bad, their
adventures, well-being, and fates practically a part of culture and certainly of cinematic legend.
Of course, like any good idea, loads of wannabe imitators crop up more often than one might care
to admit, giving the world a couple of live-action Garfield films and enough Air
Bud flicks to keep a
five-year-old busy until he or she starts high school. Fortunately, one of the latest animal-centric
films, DreamWorks' Kung Fu Panda, stands firmly with the best of the best of the
cute-and-cuddly animal world movies. Rivaling the animation, storytelling, and characterization
of the best Pixar films, Panda will tickle the funny bone, pull on the heart strings, dazzle
with its death-defying action, and prove once and for all that it's what's in the heart that really
counts.
Po finds it difficult to stand toe-to-toe (gut-to-gut?) with even his Furious Five action figures.
In ancient China there was once a Kung Fu warrior so powerful that he blinded his enemies at
the mere presence
of his awesome power, and even the Furious Five, a group of China's most accomplished
Kung Fu warriors, bowed down to him, at least in his dreams. In reality, he is merely a lowly,
overweight panda named Po (voiced by
Jack Black) who works in his father's noodle shop and cannot climb a flight of stairs without
becoming short of breath. In reality, it is Po who worships the Furious Five, playing with their
action figures and dreaming of one day being the hero they are. When it is announced that one
of the Five will be awarded the title "Dragon Warrior," a recognition given to the most powerful
Kung Fu Master of them all, Po heads to the Jade Temple, ascends the massive staircase but finds
he is seconds late, the doors closing, shutting him out of seeing his heroes and one of the most
important moments in Chinese history. When Po manages to literally drop into the arena from
the sky, smack-dab into the middle of the ceremony, the ancient Master Oogway (voiced by
Randall Duk Kim) chooses Po to be the Dragon Warrior! The Fabulous Five, particularly star pupil
Tigress (voiced by Angelina Jolie), are outraged, but Oogway insists that Po is indeed the chosen
one, and Master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) is charged with the task of training the
seemingly untrainable Panda, and all before the unstoppable enemy Tai Lung (voiced by Ian
McShane) breaks free from captivity to wreak havoc on the Chinese countryside.
Besides the explosion of smartly and seamlessly computer-created characters and worlds that
have dominated animation for the past several years, the best of a more recent vintage seem to
share a similar running theme, espousing the importance of individuality, self-worth, and
perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. In Cars, Lightning
McQueen must discover that it isn't about being the flashiest or the fastest car on the track, or
even winning the Piston Cup, but rather the importance of what's underneath the fancy tires,
paint jobs, and engine: a heart. Ratatouille cooks up a theme that shows that no matter
how small or insignificant one may be, no matter how reviled by others, no matter who says "no
you can't," a sprinkle of determination, a pinch of heart, and a bowl full of positive attitude can
take you anywhere. Likewise, in Kung Fu Panda, audiences come to know Po, a lovable,
overweight Panda with big dreams -- and an equally large gut. Laughed at for playing with his
Kung Fu toys, working a career pushed on him by a father (a duck, oddly enough) who thinks his
son can
do no better than the lot he's supposedly drawn, and believed to be too clumsy, too large, too
unfocused to be a great Kung Fu warrior by all but, it seems, Fate, Po nevertheless tries his
hardest, and with the help and blessing of a wise old friend and his master's acceptance of the
fact that "there are no accidents," Po becomes not necessarily the best Kung Fu Master -- but the
Master of the heart, of determination, of a never-say-die attitude that takes him to unbelievable
heights, fulfills his destiny, and equally important, his dream. What makes Kung Fu
Panda so special is that the film never insists that a character need drastically change in
order to fulfill a dream or a prophesy or discover who they really are. Po's physique never alters
-- he becomes capable of great things in spite of his waistline, the film smartly stating that it's
what's inside that really matters.
Aside from the plainly obvious yet nevertheless heartwarming and uplifting message it espouses,
Kung Fu Panda is, just as importantly, a wild, exciting, and particularly funny movie.
Each character is well-scripted and interesting. While the "Furious Five" don't receive all that
much in the way of exposition, they nevertheless manage to satiate audience appetites as
lovable, endearing characters, certainly an odd mixture of creatures and each of them with
unique abilities and personalities. Still, they are mostly superficial, clearly supporting cast
members whose lack of development seems like a missed opportunity, but considering the movie
features, as is, nearly perfect pacing, sacrificing a kid-friendly runtime and adding a good 10 or 15
minutes to flesh out the background characters would probably serve as more of a hinderance
than a help to the film. Apparently, there is bundled with the DVD edition of the film Secrets
of the Furious Five that does indeed delve into the backstory of each of these characters, but
it is currently not offered as part of the Blu-ray package. Still, Kung Fu Panda smartly
focuses on its three primary players -- the film's title character, Po the Panda, Master Shifu, and
the villainous Tai Lung. Clearly, Po is the centerpiece of the film, and his character never
disappoints. One of the more endearing characters in recent memory, Po bumbles his way
though the film, and the running theme of his love for food never becomes cumbersome. The
film smartly integrates food into practically every sequence; Po works in his father's noodle shop;
his love for a good meal is a major hindrance to his physical wherewithal -- and a detriment to his
waistline; Master Shifu integrates food into Po's training regimen, exploiting his "weakness" for
good. In fact, the gags never become old, and laughs abound throughout the film. A running
joke, one that only becomes funnier every time it is incorporated into the film -- that of Po
becoming short of breath and doubled over every time he must ascend to the top of the Jade
Palace -- is smartly integrated into the story, and each time the joke is seen, it ends with varied
comical consequences.
Framed at 2.35:1 and presented in 1080p high definition, it should come as no surprise that
Kung Fu Panda offers viewers a reference-quality transfer. Every frame features a
fantastic
sense of depth and an abundance of pristinely-rendered color. Take even one of the first scenes
in
the film where audiences are introduced to Po and his father in the noodle restaurant. The disc
reveals the marvelous texture and detail of the walls and the stone floor, not to mention the
cutting
board and the cleaver that play a prominent role in the scene. The ornately-decorated buildings
seen throughout the film look amazing. The adornments, the roofing, the varied colors
that
are prominently featured give them a look and feel that springs to life and look just as good as
anything seen in the other high profile animated releases currently on Blu-ray. Even something
as simple as the tan colored dirt turf as seen outside the Jade Palace as Po attempts to find some
way inside to view the Dragon Warrior ceremony in chapter five looks absolutely real. The
various animals seen throughout the film show an amazing attention to detail, every bit of it
brought to life on Blu-ray. Viewers will be privy to every strand of fur and every stitch and seam
in
their clothing (particularly Po's patchwork shorts). Whether the movie's various scenes take
place in bright outdoor locales, which is the setting for much of of the film, or the dark, dank,
lifeless interior of Tai Lung's personal prison, or a dusk sequence on Panda's first day of training,
the image holds up to sheer perfection. Make no mistake, Kung Fu Panda offers a
remarkable transfer, and an excellent movie to boot.
Kung Fu Panda slices and dices sound systems with an amazing Dolby TrueHD 5.1
lossless soundtrack. This is a rich and fulfilling experience that always finds just the right
balance. It is never too loud, too forced, or too underwhelming. Everything works together in
perfect harmony to create a fine mix. The sound flows naturally and evenly across the front,
with the perfectly-rendered dialogue remaining entrenched in the center, although the track
features some excellent panning and directionality of dialogue in several instances that never
sounds forced or out of place. Bass is well represented. Deep and powerful, but never
overextending its welcome, it is simply natural and precise. Surround speakers are used to
excellent effect; there is a deluge of information thrown back there, but all of it is integrated
wonderfully into the film, never becoming a distraction but nevertheless creating an immersive,
fulfilling experience. From the most subtle atmospherics to awesome directional effects, from the
score to sound that sweeps across the back, the surround channels are put to excellent use
through virtually the entire picture. Tai Lung's escape sequence in chapter 10 is a sonic delight,
extremely active yet clear and clean as a whistle, the entire soundstage coming alive as the Snow
Leopard escapes, the prison crumbling and exploding all around, the action incredibly robust and
the sound field full and powerful yet elegant and delightful. Kung Fu Panda offers a
reference-grade sonic experience from the Dolby TrueHD codec.
Kung Fu Panda bursts onto Blu-ray with a wealth of bonus materials. Inside Kung Fu
Panda is a grouping of extras that begins with a commentary track featuring directors Mark
Osborne and John Stevenson. A nice, breezy track, the directors share their thoughts on a
myriad
of topics, including the long process of getting the film to the big screen, the influences and
stylistic
choices, the personalities the voice actors brought to the characters, and even more mundane
information like lighting schemes that serve stylistic purposes to contrast one character from a
location, for example, the difficulties of rendering some of the film's more dynamic sequences,
and
plenty more. Fans of animation will enjoy this track a great deal. The disc also includes a trivia
track with its information presented on a scroll similar to the one seen in the film. Offering some
material covered in the commentary and some not, it's best watched in conjunction with the
audio
commentary. The Animator's Corner is a picture-in-picture video commentary that
includes some bits from the audio commentary track but also includes plenty of new information
as
well, including behind-the-scenes looks at the animation process, the voice recording sessions,
and
plenty more. Meet the Cast (1080i, 13:18) is a brief sequence of interview clips with the
cast members discussing their roles and their experiences working on the film. Pushing the
Boundaries (1080i, 7:07) takes an all-too-brief look at the challenges of creating the film's
impressive visuals. Conservation International: Help Save Wild Pandas (1080p, 2:00) is
a public service announcement, hosted by Jack Black.
Po's Power Play is a series of extras beginning with Dragon Warrior Training
Academy (1080p). This is a game where players must face five challenges to attain the level
of Dragon Warrior. In Dumpling Shuffle, players must follow three scrambling bowls and
remember under which is located a delicious dumpling. Learn to Draw (1080p) shows
viewers how to hand-draw their favorite Kung Fu Panda characters, hosted by the
real-life artists who worked on them for the movie. Sounds and
Moves of Kung Fu is another series of supplements.
Sound Design (1080p, 3:54) looks at the how the filmmakers created the numerous
audio effects that accompany the film. Next up is a music video by Cee-Lo entitled Kung Fu
Fighting (1080p, 2:29). Learn the Panda Dance (1080p, 4:32) features a
demonstration of how to do the Kung Fu Panda dance. Do you Kung Fu?
(1080p, 24:13) allows viewers to learn the basics of several Kung Fu styles.
Land of the Panda is a grouping of five additional supplements. Mr. Ping's Noodle
House (1080p, 4:43) is a fascinating feature that shows a chef creating noodles form a ball
of dough. How To Use Chopsticks (1080p, 2:56) is a kid-centric feature that shows how
to properly hold and utilize chopsticks, as well as some chopstick etiquette. Inside the
Chinese Zodiac (1080p, 11:33) looks at the Chinese calender and the animals that represent
each year. Animals of 'Kung Fu Panda' (1080p, 6:18) looks at the real-life animals that
have influenced the history of Kung Fu. What Fighting Style Are You? (1080p) is a quiz
to discover which style you represent (I was Tiger Style). Moving along, DreamWorks
Animation Video Jukebox (1080p) is a series of animated music videos from Flushed
Away, Over the Hedge, Madagascar, Shark Tale, Shrek,
Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and
Bee Movie. Also
included are 1080p trailers for Monsters vs. Aliens and Madagascar 2: Escape 2
Africa. Finally, this disc is BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) enabled. At the time of writing, a
feature entitled Po Around the World (1080p, 27:38) was available. Here, viewers may
watch scenes from the film dubbed in various languages.
Kung Fu Panda is a film that does most everything right. Witty, action-packed, featuring a
fabulous cast of characters, and with a strong, uplifting message, the film never sees a dull
moment. Likely to hold up extremely well to repeat viewings, and not only by those in the film's
targeted demographic, no doubt Kung Fu Panda is destined to become a favorite among
fans of animation, the martial arts, or as a movie that lifts the spirits and dampens the negativity
that surrounds any situation life may offer. Whether one struggles with self-image issues, lacks
courage or discipline, or is ridiculed and put down by others, the film offers a nice reprieve from life's
problems and offers meaning, depth, and reassurance while it entertains. DreamWork's Blu-ray
release of Kung Fu Panda is, no surprise, a winner. Featuring flawless video, a stellar
lossless soundtrack, and plenty of extras, everything about this package is a positive. Suitable for
audiences of all ages and available on a top-notch Blu-ray to boot, Kung Fu Panda comes
highly recommended!
Dreamworks Home Entertainment in conjunction with Paramount Home Entertainment have announced the technical specs and special features for the upcoming Blu-ray release on 'Kung Fu Panda', which is due to hit store shelves on November 9th, day-and-date with the ...
Dreamworks in conjunction with Paramount Home Entertainment have revealed that they have pushed the release date for the upcoming Blu-ray release of 'Kung Fu Panda' to November 9th. Originally scheduled to come out on November 11th, Paramount is hoping that a rare ...
DreamWorks has revealed that they will bring their CGI animated film 'Kung Fu
Panda' starring Jack Black, to Blu-ray on November 11, day-and-date with the
DVD release. Technical specs have yet to be announced at this time, but a top-
quality video and audio ...
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