Kung Fu Panda 3 - Film Review

As far as movie series go, there hasn’t been another in recent memory with such a ‘judge by its cover’ title as the Kung Fu Panda series. And believe me, back in 2008, I was amongst those scoffing at the idea. That title and the trailers which had been released really didn’t make that film look like a must-see. But then the reviews started coming in, and they were really, really positive. Bolstered by this, I went to see it and, to my delight, I loved it. Not only was it gorgeously animated and filled with some of the best animated action these eyes have yet feasted upon, but it had a cast of genuinely lovable, interesting characters and thoughtful lessons which both the young and the old could take to heart. So, when a sequel was announced, I got excited. And come 2011, Kung Fu Panda 2 didn’t just equal the success of its predecessor; in this reviewer’s opinion, the sequel excelled the original in almost every way. The action was exceptional and almost non-stop (no word of a lie, I legitimately consider this to be one of the most action-packed films of the last decade), the characters were even more enjoyable, the villain was sensational (helped in no small part by the casting of the great Gary Oldman), the comedy was hysterical and there were at least two emotional powerhouse scenes which reportedly visibly affected many audience members (including yours truly). Kung Fu Panda 2 also did what many of the great film sequels did; it actively progressed the series’ story rather than opting instead for a lazy retread (there’s a certain irony that it was released in the US on the same weekend as The Hangover Part II, a film which virtually copied its predecessor note-for-note). Now, with the release of Kung Fu Panda 3, it’s interesting to consider just how surreal it seems that this idea would successfully spread to cover three films. But, having seen all three films, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kung Fu Panda 3 sees the titular panda Po (voiced by Jack Black) living life to the full in his role as the prophesised Dragon Warrior. Fighting and living alongside his comrades the Furious Five, comprised of Tigress (voiced by Angleina Jolie), Mantis (voiced by Seth Rogen), Monkey (voiced by Jackie Chan), Crane (voiced by David Cross) and Viper (voiced by Lucy Liu), as well as his master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman), Po is the focus of adoration both from the Valley of Peace and from his adoptive father Mr. Ping (voiced by James Hong). But two serious developments are about to change his life. The first is the arrival of his real father Li Shan (voiced by Bryan Cranston) who, after losing Po as a child, is ecstatic to have found his son again; however, the new-found relationship between Po and Li causes friction in the relationship between Po and Mr. Ping. The second and more deadly development is the emergence of an ancient evil in the form of Kai (voiced by J.K. Simmons), an old comrade of Shifu’s master Oogway (voiced by Randall Duk Kim). Kai is intent on harnessing all of the ‘chi’ (the energy of the universe) which the martial arts masters possess, which puts Po, his friends and family in great danger…

First things first; this film is utterly gorgeous to behold. The colours are sumptuous and the visual details are wonderful. I saw this film in 3D and, while it may not provide the pop-out experience which many people associate with 3D presentation, the process provides gentle, gradual immersion into the experience of the film in a way which doesn’t feel forced or overdone. Out of the three Kung Fu Panda films, this is possibly the most visually stunning; special mention goes to sequences set in an otherworldly realm which evoke a spectacular and mystical grandeur.

Secondly, the action sequences in this film are delightful. Whilst not quite as plentiful as Kung Fu Panda 2 (which had over half a dozen fight and/or chase scenes), the action is still terrifically crafted. Given the acrobatic and fluid nature of what’s unfolding on screen, there are many natural opportunities for comedy, and almost all of the comedic beats hit their mark. However, when the action needs to be serious in both tone and spectacle, it manages to pull that off with equal aplomb. The stand-out action scenes come in the finale, which combines all of the different tones almost seamlessly to brilliant effect.

As with the other films, Kung Fu Panda 3 has a well-spring of unexpected emotion; there are several emotional scenes which have to do with the theme of family and how this can link to your identity. The real emotional meat of the film comes not only from the strong script but also from the stellar performances of Black, Cranston and Hong in the roles of Po, Li Shan and Mr. Ping respectively. Black is as lovably goofy as ever in the role of Po, and he is essential in making this ridiculous-sounding concept work as effectively as it has throughout this trilogy. He also shares great chemistry with his co-stars, whether they be friend or foe. Cranston is a wonderfully adept actor when it comes to comedy (indeed, one of his most well-known roles is the dad from the hit comedy show Malcolm in the Middle), which makes him a natural fit for the goofier scenes. But it’s in the more emotional scenes such as Li Shan’s heartfelt discussions with Po that Cranston really shines through, lending a relatable regret, pain and protectiveness to this new character which makes him instantly identifiable. However, one of the under-rated stand-outs of not only this film, but the entire trilogy, is James Hong as Mr. Ping. Not only is he a comedic blast (his annoyance with Li Shan, something which could have easily been over-played, is instead understandable and genuinely funny), but he also perfectly captures an individual who’s trying to stay in his son’s life and who’s trying to keep up with the adjustments which come with this major change. These three characters and their interactions are key to what is the trilogy’s greatest success; taking characters with inherently cartoon qualities and imbuing them with vibrant personalities which have realistic and relatable qualities.

Despite those three performances arguably being the centre of the film, it would be amiss not to mention the superb supporting cast. First, we have J.K. Simmons as the villain. Quick note; it’s interesting that Simmons seems to have a theme this year of appearing in films featuring anthropomorphic animals (he also voiced Mayor Lionheart in the wonderful Zootropolis). With that out of the way, Simmons is wickedly good here. The villains of the series (especially Lord Shen in the second film) have a blend of the mirthful and the menacing, and Simmons is equally skilled in both areas. Whilst there are some great opportunities for humour both from and towards the character of Kai, Simmons never lets us forget the character’s anger and lust for revenge. Whilst discussing Kai, the character’s design and powers are also effectively portrayed to illustrate his threat (particularly how he utilises the characters he defeats in battle). While he’s not quite as compelling a villain as Lord Shen, the character’s design and Simmons’ portrayal go a long way in ensuring that Kai is a thoroughly entertaining antagonist. As Shifu, Dustin Hoffman is just as reliably great as ever; his mixed exasperation/admiration of Po is just as present here, and Hoffman has a lot of fun with Shifu’s sly humour whilst also maintaining the character’s presence and authority. As usual, the actors voicing the Furious Five are under-utilised (with the exception of Angelina Jolie), but at least most of them are given something of interest; Cavid Cross’ Crane and Seth Rogen’s Mantis share some fun chemistry and Jackie Chan gest some great lines as Monkey, with Lucy Liu being the only one with noticeably little to do as Viper (and when I say little to do, I mean virtually non-existent). Jolie once again brings a cool aloofness to the role of Tigress, but she feels like less of an important character this time around; it’s interesting to note that four of Jolie’s adoptive children also provide voices in the film (and, to their credit, they all do decent work), which may have been a bigger reason for Jolie’s involvement this time around. Stepping in for the Australian comedic actress Rebel Wilson, Kate Hudson is solid as the flirtatious panda Mei Mei, but her role is fairly small and arguably not as memorable as it could have been, despite some strong scenes. Finally, Randall Duk Kim is marvellous in his return as Master Oogway; the character’s role in the film may be brief, but it is still pivotal and Kim’s performance evokes a wealth of wisdom, humour and passion which is instantly lovable.   

It's important to say a word for directors Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni. Both of these directors ensure that the series continue to defy expectations which audiences may have, helming a film with exquisite beauty, genuine scale and a heart as big as its titular character. While Yuh Nelson deserves more credit in the overall arc of the series (having been involved from the very beginning and having helmed the second film), Carloni also deserves immense credit given that this is his first feature film credit. They are aided immeasurably not only by sensational visuals and the brilliant script from Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Burger, but also by maestro Hans Zimmer’s typically sublime musical score (special mention goes to the use of the instrumental motif for Imagine Dragon’s I’m So Sorry as the theme for Kai), which is equal parts exciting, moving and genuinely inspiring.

Are there some issues with the film? Absolutely. The depictions of some characters may stand out in an uncomfortable way for some audience members, as the argument could easily be made that they are simply there to be laughed at because of their capacity. I can’t speak for everyone, but I felt awkward watching these depictions and I know I’m not the only one. There are also several under-used characters. The complaint could also be made that this entry repeats themes from the other two entries, and whilst I agree with this to a degree, I’d make the counter-argument that these are good themes, which makes them a bit easier to digest more than once. But, as far as the negatives go, that’s pretty much all I can think of.

There is a very strong chance that Kung Fu Panda 3 will be the last entry in the series, and given the less-than-stellar box office performance, I think that will likely be the case. But if this is how the series must end, it ends on a wonderfully conclusive note. Jokes from the first film are revisited and given new spins, the themes surrounding family and identity are still present and the fantastic final scene serves as an exquisite capper. If this is to be goodbye for Kung Fu Panda, the series will leave behind a fantastic legacy and will continue to make those doubtful amazed by just how strong these films are not only as entertainment, but as gorgeous animated art.

Final Verdict

If this is the last chapter of the Kung Fu Panda series, the film-makers and cast really deliver something special which perfectly captures the appeal which the series has had thus far. The animation is sensational, the action is wondrously fluid and exciting, the comedy is hysterical for the most part and the emotional undercurrent is genuinely moving. The cast is exceptional and the directing duo handle the material with aplomb, partially thanks to an excellent script. Whilst some characters are awkwardly depicted and certain actors/characters are under-used, these issues don’t put enough of a damper on the experience to mar what is otherwise a wonderful potential capper for the series. Keep on Kung Fu Fighting!

Final Rating: 4.25 out of 5