drfsupercenter wrote:Kung Fu Panda looked like just a stupid movie... I hate DreamWorks these days because they ripped off Pixar on three occasions and come up with lame original movies (though Shrek was OK... Only the first, not either of the sequels)
In fear of creating the most derailed thread in the existence of the interwebs (and in a DISNEY forum no less) I will say this; Kung Fu Panda is a great movie and perhaps the best Dreamworks movie to date.
A shocker don't you think? But yes. And I ain't talking out of blind fanboyism. I haven't been impressed with Dreamworks' offerings since Shrek 2. Sharktale was way too shallow and too proud of its A-list cast, Madagascar was an OK movie with stupid references, Over the Hedge was good but I felt it belonged as a TV movie and not as a theatrical one, Flushed Away was a pain to watch, especially since it was made by Aardman. Shrek the third was perhaps the worst movie of 2007 and the worst Dreamworks has ever done and Bee Movie was OK, but like a reviewer said it feels like a TV movie.
But Kung Fu Panda impresses on many levels. The character design is a tad uninspired, I give you that, but everything else is flawless. The action sequences are very captivating and well choreographed and the characters are likable. But what surprised me the most is the heart the film has. Yes, a Dreamworks CG movie has heart for once. In my eyes at least its very sincere and heartfelt. There were two scenes where I nearly cried due to how powerful and touching they were. And once again, I am talking about a DREAMWORKS MOVIE!.
Plus, the story is cliche (unlikely character becomes a legendary savior thanks to the will of his heart), but is well developed and presented. There's actual character development involved. In fear of sounding like a broken record, this sort of thing has never been seen on a Dreamworks movie.
Finally, the movie is pretty much timeless. There are very few pop culture references, and most importantly...NO FART OR POOP JOKES! There are still some butt and belly references (one I felt was not necessary) but on the whole they created a movie that people will appreciate 10 or even 20 years in the future (that is if Wall.E is to be believed, we will still be slim and Earth will still be around
).
This doesn't mean its flawless, though. Jack Black does a good job with Po, but at times he sounds too much like Jack. The other voice talent is great, but the cast behind the Furious Five is wasted as the characters don't get the treatment they deserve. And there are still some Dreamworks elements they couldn't help but sneak in, like a preachy message near the end.
But on the whole, considering their track record Dreamworks has created a rock solid and just plain fun movie. To EVERYONE on this forum; don't let your Dreamworks hate or Pixar/Disney devotion ruin what is one of the most fun CG movies you'll see in years.
Sorry for derailing the thread, but it needed to be said.
As for the KFP vs. Wall.E comparisons some people are doing, they are too different and both have their charms and quirks.
KFP is the summer's pop-corn flick. Even if it actually focuses on its story more than some of its predecessors its still a movie aimed to entertain. Wall.E on the other hand aims to both entertain and enthrall with a haunting setting and a deep storyline.
If you just want mindless fun, KFP is your best bet. If you want to get your senses estimulated, Wall.E is highly recommended.
There, I brought the thread back on track
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