Kung Fu Panda
Movie, 2008, Kung Fu Panda, Set in The Valley of Peace
Kung Fu Panda is #16 of 51 in release order and #34 of 51 in chronological order in the DreamWorks Animation.
The story
Chosen by prophecy but doubted by all, Po is an unlikely choice for the mystical title of the Dragon Warrior—a clumsy panda thrust into the world of kung fu as a deadly enemy threatens the Valley of Peace. Under reluctant guidance by Master Shifu and the Furious Five, Po must embrace who he is to unlock the power that no scroll can teach.
Kung Fu Panda recap
Po is a clumsy panda who works in his father Mr. Ping's noodle shop and dreams of kung fu. When Master Oogway has a vision that the snow leopard Tai Lung will escape prison, a ceremony is held to choose the Dragon Warrior. Po crash-lands in front of Oogway, who chooses him over the Furious Five: Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper and Crane. Master Shifu, who once raised Tai Lung and feels responsible for his fall, tries to drive Po away. Tai Lung escapes and beats the Five. Oogway dies, and Shifu finds that Po trains well when food is the reward. Po is given the Dragon Scroll, but it is blank, and he flees in despair until his father tells him the secret ingredient of his soup is nothing at all.
Kung Fu Panda ending explained
Po understands that the scroll's message is to believe in himself. He fights Tai Lung, who cannot hurt him through his fat, and defeats him with the Wuxi Finger Hold. The Valley of Peace hails him as the Dragon Warrior, the Furious Five bow to him as a master, and Shifu, at peace at last with his failure with Tai Lung, lies down to rest. Po suggests they go and get something to eat.
Post-credits scenes
Yes. After the credits, Po and Shifu share a meal, and the camera pulls back to show that the peach seed Shifu planted has sprouted.
Where to watch Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda is streaming on Prime Video in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes 87%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Bee Movie, before Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.
- Chronological order: after Penguins of Madagascar, before Kung Fu Panda 2.
What to watch before Kung Fu Panda
Nothing. Kung Fu Panda (2008) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own.
Cast
- Jack Black as Po (voice)
- Dustin Hoffman as Shifu (voice)
- Angelina Jolie as Tigress (voice)
- Ian McShane as Tai Lung (voice)
- Seth Rogen as Mantis (voice)
- Lucy Liu as Viper (voice)
- David Cross as Crane (voice)
- Randall Duk Kim as Oogway (voice)
- James Hong as Mr. Ping (voice)
- Dan Fogler as Zeng (voice)
- Michael Clarke Duncan as Commander Vachir (voice)
- Jackie Chan as Monkey (voice)
Directed by Mark Osborne, John Stevenson.