Review: Kung Fu Panda 3 is a spectacular and adorable film filled with positivity

****

Kung Fu Panda 3 is a 3D American-Chinese animated action comedy martial arts film, produced by DreamWorks Animation, and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It is directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni. It is written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger and produced by Melissa Cobb. It is a sequel to the 2011 film Kung Fu Panda 2 and the third instalment in the Kung Fu Panda franchise.

Po (Jack Black) is a food-loving panda who is told he is a dragon warrior. In all the three films his job is to protect his valley and palace from invaders. He is happy living with his adopted father, the goose Ping (James Hong) and training with master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and his five friends – Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross). But like in the previous films, the world needs him to be the saviour. 

A prologue tells us about Master Oogway battling his close friend Kai (JK Simmons), a Yak who next sets his sights on all of Master Oogway’s students. Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) announces his retirement and hands over the reigns of training to Po who hesitates to take over. Instead, he questions the purpose of his existence and his authenticity as the Dragon Warrior. Suddenly, Po receives a big surprise with the arrival of his biological father Li Shan (Bryan Cranston). Kai has got hold of Chi or life force of all the Kung Fu masters (except Po) in the spirit world and uses them as jade zombie warriors. He is now on a lookout for Po. 

Will Po be able to become a master of Chi and protect his valley and friends from Kai or will he also be taken to the spirit world? 

The film is a journey of self-awareness for Po. The way it is rendered in glorious colours is remarkable. The panda village, especially, is beauty personified. Its Pandas will get etched in memory. Watch out for scenes with Pandas rolling in snow clad valleys, doing ribbon dances, jumping from swings and eating Dumplings.  There’s so much happening on the screen at all times- something hilarious, action packed, silly or heartfelt. At 95 minutes, it’s as crisp as it can be. 

In the whole story telling lies a moral for kids and adults alike that one shouldn’t try to be like others but try to be the best one can be. All this is depicted using humor, simplicity, cute Pandas, Kung fu, food and spectacular visuals. Did I just mention food? Yes, food forms an important part of the narrative. There are various fighter gangs-the dumplings gang, the cookie gang and noodles gang. Eating dumplings is such an important part of the narrative! I bet you’ll be craving food throughout the film. If you are going with kids, be sure to fetch them some food beforehand.

The film boats of an A- list of voice actors. Jack Black plays the adorable Po to the tee and the new pandas just add to the madness. 

For me, this film cannot be compared to the previous two films. It’s humorous, refreshing, adorable and spectacular. If you liked the slapstick humor of the first two movies, this one will give you higher doses of the same.

Watch it with everyone- kids, friends and family. There’s something so positive about the film that when you come out of the cinema hall, you’ll be beaming with joy. 

Reviewed by-Dolly Bolly.