Kung Fu Panda 3

Review by Honey B

Directors: Alessandro Carloni, Jennifer Yuh Nelson Vocal Cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Kate Hudson, Bryan Cranston, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu Plot: In 2016, one of the most successful animated franchises in the world returns with its biggest comedy adventure yet, Kung Fu Panda 3. When Po's long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible-learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas! Verdict: There’s plenty more dumplings, martial arts madness and surprises in Kung Fu Panda 3 to keep this hilarious franchise rolling along just nicely. What makes another serving of this colourful film worth the viewing time is its heart-warming charm, beautiful visuals and Black’s witty, slightly clueless Panda, Po. Po is again on a journey of self-discovery and Master Shifu (Hoffman) believes Po has the talent to be a teacher. His Furious Five friends – Tigress (Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Monkey (Chan), Viper (Liu) and Mantis (Rogen) – aren’t so sure after several disastrous training sessions. Everything changes for Po and his friends when the villainous warrior yak, Kai (J.K. Simmons) steals the kung fu masters chi to make a zombie-like jade army and Po’s father turns up at the village putting Po’s caring adoptive goose father Mr Ping (James Hong) into a complete flap. It’s beautiful the way Po’s biological father Li (Cranston), Mr Ping and Po’s relationship grows and blossoms as both fathers care and worry about their Dragon Warrior son. The scenes where Li takes Po to the secret Panda village in the mountains are beautifully lush and rich in colour and Po’s reactions to discovering there are so many more like him and that pandas roll not walk are simply delightful. But once again, Po must use all of his Dragon Warrior noodle to defeat the evil warrior Kai, who grows ever stronger as he steals the energy, chi, of all of those he fights. Po indeed discovers he is a teacher after all and truly comes into his own. This is a wonderfully witty, action-packed animated treat for the whole family.