Kung Fu Panda 3

Kung Fu Panda 3 is a solid film for both children and adults, but mostly children. It’s the story of Po (Jack Black), the greatest warrior in the ultimate search for who he really is.

Release Date: January 29, 2016
Writer: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Director: Alessandro Carloni, Jennifer Yuh
Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogan, Lucy Liu

After two full-length features and a television show, Dragon Warrior Po (Jack Black) is the hero and guardian of China and specifically, the Jade Palace. Po’s greatness has progressed to the point that his Master, Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) has made Po the new Master of the Jade Palace. Po does not feel he is ready to be the new master, let along the new teacher of warriors. He quickly fails at training his crew: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogan), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross).

Meanwhile, in the spirit realm, a new threat is brewing. The evil Kai (J.K. Simmons) is collecting the “chi” of all the great kung fu masters. Set on vengeance against his one-time friend and greatest warrior, Oogway (Randall Duk Kim), Kai has the power to steal of chi of any living being and turn them into Jade monsters. His ultimate goal is to return to the mortal world and steal the chi of the last great warrior, Po.

Back in the mortal realm, a mysterious stranger arrives, and it turns out to be Po’s father, Li (Bryan Cranston). Thinking he was the last of the pandas, Po returns to the Panda villiage with his father, Li hoping there he can learn the power of chi and save his friends and all of China. Po returns to learn the slow and lazy life of his panda ancestry. In the meantime, the rest of China is slowly being overrun by Kai and his ever growing jade warriors.

Can Po learn the lesson of chi from his fellow pandas? Can he become strong enough to defeat the powerful Kai? Can Po learn who he is and become a great teacher?

Kung Fu Panda 3 is a solid story for children and adults. Kids will love the numerous battle scenes, and adults will admire the beautiful landscape and artistry of its Chinese origins. Jack Black continues to bring his likable persona to Po, and Dustin Hoffman shines again as the wise teacher Shifu. Best of all, the ultimate lesson of being the best you, you can be, is not lost on the young audience.

Also shining is veteran Asian actor James Hong as Po’s adopted father, Mr. Ping. He more than matches the wit and humor of Po as the father, who is about to lose his son to his real father. The Chinese culture also shines throughout the movie. Already noted are its beautiful landscape, food, and artistic dream sequences.

It’s hard to find good films for children during the winter period. Kung Fu Panda 3 is a great moment to get out of the rain and laugh with the little one. There was a lot of laughter in Kung Fu Panda 3.

7 out of 10

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