BD Review: Kung Fu Panda Blu Ray

Movie Info:
Writers: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Directors: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Jackie Chan , Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim
Rating: PG
Studio: Dreamworks

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: June 6, 2008
DVD Release Date: November 8, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $15.49

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting!

It seems only natural to think of this great song from the 70s every time I hear about Kung Fu Panda. Of course, this movie has nothing to do with the song. The movie is about a panda bear named Po, who loves Kung Fu. I was told I had to see this by my four year old nephew. This was, of course, said as he kicked me in the knee, showing me the Kung Fu moves he’d learned from the movie. Parents beware! Your kids may try to play Kung Fu Panda, where they kick and karate chop various things. My nephew just happened to pick me, as his target.

I am picky about animated features these days. I want a nice story that’s heartwarming. I want to feel something, as I enjoy the story with those in my family. I want something the whole family is going to enjoy and appreciate. Commercials for Kung Fu Panda made the movie look goofy. I didn’t take the story seriously. Sure, a lot of big named players, most of whom I like, including Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, and Ian McShane had a part in making this animated feature, but I’ve grown tired of animated films. My expectations aren’t as high as they used to be. I grew up in the 1980s, so I had many beautiful, animated features I could enjoy. Animation these days seems to either be hit or miss. So, I had little hope for Jack Black and his panda. I was thrilled by how much I truly enjoyed Kung Fu Panda.

The American public has to agree, based on how much they’ve spent, that the second half of 2008 had far superior animated features released. I didn’t think Kung Fu Panda would be able to compete on the same playing field as the incredibly adorable Wall-E. I favor the latter a bit more, but the stories are so different that I can easily say these have to be the top two animated films released in 2008. With Christmas approaching, you’d be a fool not to pick this movie up.

Since this is a Blu Ray review, I’m going to be honest. If you have a Blu Ray player, pick Kung Fu Panda up in Blu Ray instead of in standard edition. The quality is far superior. The Blu Ray capabilities really shine through in this release. Dreamworks did an EXCEPTIONAL job with this Blu Ray. It takes a lot for me to recommend Blu Ray, because the technology is still so new, that they’re working out making the quality as good as it can be, but every so often, the distributors get it right and the quality for the Blu Ray is so stunning you just have to pay the extra money for this release. At less than $16 through Amazon, this has to be one of the most affordable Blu Rays out there. Get your copy while you can. It’s worth it!

The Kung Fu Panda Plot
This movie is all about Po. When you think of pandas, you don’t really think of them as trim, agile creatures. They’re stocky. They weigh a lot. These animals definitely don’t seem to be the Kung Fu type. You think of them chowing down on bamboo and having a lazy day. You could honestly see Po doing this if he didn’t work/live above his goose father’s noodle shop. Dear old dad, Mr. Ping, is planning to leave his noodle shop to Po. Po has other aspirations though, so when he lies about a dream he had pertaining to Kung Fu by saying his dream was about noodles, Mr. Ping is certain that this is a sign Po is ready to take over his noodle shop by learning his secret ingredient.

Around the same time, The Furious Five are busy training at the nearby palace. The wise, Kung Fu Master turtle, Master Oogway has predicted that it is time to pick the Dragon Warrior. A darkness is going to overcome the valley and only the Dragon Warrior will be able to defeat it. The darkness is coming in the form of Tai Lung, one of the best trained Kung Fu experts in the world. Tai Lung is imprisoned, but Oogway is certain he will escape. He tells this to his best student, the trainer of the Furious Five and former trainer of Tai Lung, Master Shifu. Shifu readies the Five for an out and out tournament to determine who the Dragon Warrior is.

Po wants to go to the tournament, like everyone else in China. Mr. Ping makes him take his noodle cart along, slowing Po down. He can’t get the cart up the stairs, so he can’t go in to the tournament. Locked out, Po does what he can to fly his way into the tournament. The only problem is that he ends up in the center ring and Oogway names him the Dragon Warrior. Po, Shifu, the Furious Five, and everyone else watching the tournament think Oogway must be mistaken, but he is adamant that he has made the right choice.

Po is ushered off to begin training with Shifu and the Furious Five, who make it absolutely clear that they want nothing to do with Po. In fact, one of the five, Tigress, tells him in no uncertain terms, that he should just give up and leave. When all the chips seem down, Master Oogway must convince both Po and Shifu to trust in him and for Po to trust in himself. As Oogway explains to Shifu, there are no mistakes. It will be up to him to convince Po that he can do this, but ultimately he’ll have to find a way to believe this out of shape, tubby panda, with no Kung Fu experience whatsoever, can take on a Kung Fu Master like Tai Lung.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
I saw the standard release for Kung Fu Panda before I saw the Blu Ray. Let me tell you. There is a difference. The standard edition looks excellent. The Blu Ray is an absolute masterpiece. The video for Kung Fu Panda is presented at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio in anamorphic widescreen. The film boasts an AVC MPEG 4-codec with a 1080p screen resolution. The color palette is richly robust. The movie features bright colors and dark, full, lush blacks, that are realistic. There are absolutely no visual flaws present (or that appear to be noticeable). The contrast is excellent, the video has no compression problems and I didn’t notice any edge enhancements. Overall, this presentation is perfect.

It’s hard to believe that the audio could outshine the video, but in Kung Fu Panda Blu Ray, the audio is better (if it possibly can be) than the video. The English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack is free of flaws. There are no issues with speaker balance. The volume didn’t need to be toggled. The soundtrack had a rich, vibrant sound to it. The dialogue was crisp and clear. The sound effects made excellent use of the speakers. Overall, this is the point of Blu Ray. It’s all about the picture quality and sound. You have better than movie theater quality in your living room and its all thanks to Blu Ray.

There are additional, optional soundtracks, which include Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, and Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
Many of the bonuses included on the Kung Fu Panda Blu Ray disc are also found on the standard DVD. I’ve listed all of the bonuses that are included below:

Commentary with Directors Osborne and Stevenson – This commentary features Mark Osborne and John Stevenson, who co-directed this film together. This is a decent commentary, but not the best I’ve heard. Plenty of information on both the movie and cast is presented.

The Animator’s Corner: Storyboards & Interviews – Presented as a picture within a picture, this shows the directors, directing. It shows Jack Black, you watch him record, and it also shows storyboards for the movie. This is one of the more in depth, interesting features. There is also a Meet the Cast feature, which actually has interviews with the cast of the movie. Additionally, there is a featurette called “Pusing the Boundaries”, which examines animation troubles for the movie.

Trivia Track – The trivia is presented as subtitles during the movie and can only be found on the Blu Ray.

Blu-ray Live Fun Features – A selection of downloadable content. This includes “Po Around the World”, where you can hear Po-speak in a variety of languages, and “A Day in the Life”, where you’ll get to see a day in the life for Buddhist Monks.

Dragon Warrior Training Academy – A DVD game based on the movie where you’ll get to visit the Dragon Warrior Training Academy.

What Fighting Style Are You? – Play the game/quiz to find out what fighting style you are.

Learn To Draw PO – A nice little featurette for any budding artist. This takes you step by step through the process of drawing Po the Panda Bear. My drawing actually turned out pretty good. This is a great featurette that both adults and children can enjoy together.

Help Save Wild Pandas – Join Jack Black in this PSA as he explains the threat to Wild Pandas and what we can do to help save them.

Kung Fu Fighting Music Video – This catchy song has been redone and put in a video format, with scenes from the movie sliced into it.

Inside The Chinese Zodiac – Find out what your Zodiac sign is and means. This is mainly geared towards kids, but a quick Google will allow adults to find out about their own sign. I found out I’m a horse!

Do You Kung Fu? – Learn about the fighting styles used by the Furious Five, Shifu, Master Oogway, Tai Lung and Po in the movie Kung Fu Panda.

Food Network Exclusive: Alton Brown at Mr. Ping’s Noodle House – Learn how to make real noodles with Alton Brown, just like Mr. Ping does in the movie.

Learn the Panda Dance – Follow Hi-Hat as he teaches you all the moves to get your Panda dancin’ groove on.

Animals of Kung Fu Panda – Look at the animals used in this movie and find out how they relate to Kung Fu.

Dreamworks Animated Jukebox – Play songs from all your favorite, Dreamworks animated films.

How to Use 2 Chopsticks – Use the tips given to learn how to use chopsticks…to eat.

Finally, there are trailers for Monster vs. Alien and Madagascar 2.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
Kung Fu Panda is about as cute as it gets for animated flicks, these days. With superior quality, there really is no reason why you can’t pick up a copy of this in Blu Ray. With the holidays coming up, Kung Fu Panda, in any version, is sure to make a great stocking stuffer for any family member. Your kids, your parents, and you will love this movie. It will be one of those films you’ll want to watch over and over again, so make sure to put Kung Fu Panda on your holiday wishlist. It’s worth the purchase and then some!

Overall Rating:

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Written by Ashtyn Evans – Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.