Movie review: ‘Kung Fu Panda 3,’ upbeat but intense sequel looks at identity, family ties
Parents need to know that “Kung Fu Panda 3” is the third movie in the hit series about unlikely martial arts hero Po (voiced by Jack Black) and his friends, the Furious Five. This time around they face Kai, a scary supernatural bull monster that menaces all of China. Po and the others must fend him off in a series of frequently intense battles that may scare kids; some could also be upset by flashback scenes of parent-child separation, conflict between characters, and moments when it seems like key characters are captured, in danger, and/or possibly gone for good. Expect a little insult language (“stupid,” “loser,” etc.) and potty humor, but aside from the violence, there’s not much to worry about in this effective, entertaining story about family ties (Po meets his long-lost biological father) and establishing your identity. Blended families may particularly like the way that Po’s two-dad situation is handled.
WHAT’S THE STORY
In “Kung Fu Panda 3,” Po, now beloved by all as the Dragon Warrior, meets his long-lost father, Li (Bryan Cranston), and a community of pandas — after thinking he was the only one of his kind. Together, they and the Furious Five must face a supernatural threat in the form of Kai (J.K. Simmons), a bull-like creature who calls himself “the master of pain, the beast of vengeance” and is bent on robbing China of all its chi. The only way to stop Kai and his legion of jade warriors is for Po to become a master of chi himself … but first he must reconnect with his inner panda.
IS IT ANY GOOD?
The animation is gorgeous and vividly hued — the panda village looks like a Chinese version of the Hobbit village crossed with Shangri La — and the humor is light, if sometimes a bit corny. And the characters are likeable enough in this generally engaging, family-friendly tale. Po must re-learn what it means to be a panda (sleep in, eat a lot, chill out) and also teach the bucolic village of laid-back, clumsy, and peacefully loving pandas kung fu. To accomplish this, he creates dumpling and noodle “squadrons,” which is a cute concept. And the idea that there’s always something more to learn (not to mention the value of embracing what makes you you) is definitely a worthy message.
RATING AND CONTENT
Recommended for ages 6 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
Positive messages: 4 out of 5
Positive role models: 4 out of 5
Violence and scariness: 3 out of 5
Sex: 1 out of 5
Language: 1 out of 5
Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 0 out of 5
Consumerism: 3 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)
MOVIE DETAILS
Theatrical release date: January 29, 2016
Cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston
Director: Jennifer Yuh, Alessandro Carloni
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Genre: Family and kids
Run time: 95 minutes
