DreamWorks Animation will showcase a sneak peek of “The Wild Robot” at the Annecy Animation Festival (June 9-15). The preview footage will take place June 11, hosted by writer/director Chris Sanders (co-director of “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Lilo & Stitch”).
“The Wild Robot”, adapted from Peter Brown’s illustrated book and produced by Jeff Hermann, explores the bridge between technology and nature. It’s about a robot called Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) washed ashore on an uninhabited island, who must embark on a journey of survival and discovery when she inadvertently becomes the protector of an orphaned gosling bird.
The all-star voice cast also includes Pedro Pascal as fox Fink, Catherine O’Hara as opossum Pinktail, Bill Nighy as goose Longneck, Kit Connor as gosling Brightbill, and Stephanie Hsu as robot Vontra; plus Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, and Mark Hamill.
The preview will be followed later that evening by a...
“The Wild Robot”, adapted from Peter Brown’s illustrated book and produced by Jeff Hermann, explores the bridge between technology and nature. It’s about a robot called Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) washed ashore on an uninhabited island, who must embark on a journey of survival and discovery when she inadvertently becomes the protector of an orphaned gosling bird.
The all-star voice cast also includes Pedro Pascal as fox Fink, Catherine O’Hara as opossum Pinktail, Bill Nighy as goose Longneck, Kit Connor as gosling Brightbill, and Stephanie Hsu as robot Vontra; plus Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, and Mark Hamill.
The preview will be followed later that evening by a...
- 4/24/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
The Kung Fu Panda franchise is awaiting the release of its fourth film, which has come a long way from its concept of an anthropomorphic animal learning kung fu. Starring Jack Black as Po, Kung Fu Panda 4 sees many familiar characters such as Master Shifu, Tai Lung, and Kai, while introducing new villains such as The Chameleon.
The first film was known for its bizarre concept of a Panda learning kung fu and was one of the most anticipated films of 2008. The film was one of the commercially successful films by DreamWorks Animation, earning over $631 million. While a simplistic comedy with action, the concept of Kung Fu Panda was reportedly inspired by the iconic film Kung Fu Hustle.
When Was Kung Fu Panda Developed? A still from Kung Fu Panda
The Jack Black starrer Kung Fu Panda was one of the most beloved animated franchises in the world. The...
The first film was known for its bizarre concept of a Panda learning kung fu and was one of the most anticipated films of 2008. The film was one of the commercially successful films by DreamWorks Animation, earning over $631 million. While a simplistic comedy with action, the concept of Kung Fu Panda was reportedly inspired by the iconic film Kung Fu Hustle.
When Was Kung Fu Panda Developed? A still from Kung Fu Panda
The Jack Black starrer Kung Fu Panda was one of the most beloved animated franchises in the world. The...
- 3/6/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
“The Croods” and “How to Train Your Dragon” filmmaker Chris Sanders is returning to DreamWorks Animation with “The Wild Robot,” a new animated feature based on the New York Times best-selling book by Peter Brown. Sanders wrote the script and is directing the project.
Jeff Hermann is producing “The Wild Robot” and Sanders’ longtime creative collaborator Dean DeBlois will executive produce. No release date has been set. But you can still get very excited.
“The Wild Robot” follows Rozzum 7134 (“Roz” for short), a futuristic robot that washes ashore on a deserted island. From there, according to the official synopsis, “a tale of survival and discovery begins when she becomes the unexpected protector to an orphaned gosling, which she names Brightbill. Together they struggle to survive the harsh environment, but only succeed with the help of a close-knit group of misfit animals, who become first friends, then family. Ultimately Roz and...
Jeff Hermann is producing “The Wild Robot” and Sanders’ longtime creative collaborator Dean DeBlois will executive produce. No release date has been set. But you can still get very excited.
“The Wild Robot” follows Rozzum 7134 (“Roz” for short), a futuristic robot that washes ashore on a deserted island. From there, according to the official synopsis, “a tale of survival and discovery begins when she becomes the unexpected protector to an orphaned gosling, which she names Brightbill. Together they struggle to survive the harsh environment, but only succeed with the help of a close-knit group of misfit animals, who become first friends, then family. Ultimately Roz and...
- 9/28/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
The lore of the “Boss Baby” universe is as extensive as it is bewildering. Loosely based on the book by Marla Frazee, 2017’s “The Boss Baby” — which was, shockingly, Oscar nominated — covered the existence of Baby Corp, the company in the sky that creates infants and sends them to Earth either to be raised by human parents or on missions to ensure babies’ hegemony as the most loved creatures. (Puppies are a close runner-up.)
A magical milk formula prevents those chosen ones from growing up, and a whole protocol à la “Men in Black” erases the memories of the adults who received these babies in suits that were never meant to be part of the family but just transient employees for the corporation.
All of these plot points remain in place for the sequel, “The Boss Baby: Family Business,” which follows the franchise’s Netflix spin-off series. With director Tom McGrath,...
A magical milk formula prevents those chosen ones from growing up, and a whole protocol à la “Men in Black” erases the memories of the adults who received these babies in suits that were never meant to be part of the family but just transient employees for the corporation.
All of these plot points remain in place for the sequel, “The Boss Baby: Family Business,” which follows the franchise’s Netflix spin-off series. With director Tom McGrath,...
- 6/30/2021
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
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We chatted to Kung Fu Panda 3 directors Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni about Bryan Cranston, J K Simmons and more…
Kung Fu Panda 3 sees Jennifer Yuh Nelson return to the director’s chair after the huge success of the previous films in the franchise. This time, she’s sharing the seat with Alessandro Carloni (whose prior animation department work covers the other Kung Fu Panda movies and both How To Train Your Dragon films).
In the Kung Fu Panda 3, Jack Black reprises the role of Po, who is faced this time around with the three-pronged troubles of becoming a kung fu teacher, meeting his biological father (Li, played by Bryan Cranston) and trying to defeat a powerful villain named Kai (voiced by J K Simmons). From this premise, Yuh Nelson and Carloni have wrangled a really engaging movie which makes you think about...
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We chatted to Kung Fu Panda 3 directors Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni about Bryan Cranston, J K Simmons and more…
Kung Fu Panda 3 sees Jennifer Yuh Nelson return to the director’s chair after the huge success of the previous films in the franchise. This time, she’s sharing the seat with Alessandro Carloni (whose prior animation department work covers the other Kung Fu Panda movies and both How To Train Your Dragon films).
In the Kung Fu Panda 3, Jack Black reprises the role of Po, who is faced this time around with the three-pronged troubles of becoming a kung fu teacher, meeting his biological father (Li, played by Bryan Cranston) and trying to defeat a powerful villain named Kai (voiced by J K Simmons). From this premise, Yuh Nelson and Carloni have wrangled a really engaging movie which makes you think about...
- 3/10/2016
- by rleane
- Den of Geek
"The Adventures of Tintin" dominated the nominations but it was "Rango" that received the most trophies at the 10th Visual Effects Society (Ves) awards. Stan Lee received the the Lifetime Achievement Award and visual effects pioneer Douglas Trumbull received the George Melies Award. Patton Oswalt hosted the event held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Antonion Banderas, Lou Ferrigno, director Chris Miller, Marc Webb, and Jennifer Yuh Nelson presented awards. But the surprise appearance by Martin Scorsese was the highlight of the evening.
Here's the full list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 10th Annual Ves Awards, to visit our Awards Avenue coverage of other award-giving bodies, winners and nominees, click here:
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture
Captain America: The First Avenger
Charlie Noble
Mark Soper
Christopher Townsend
Edson Williams
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Tim Burke
Emma Norton
John Richardson
David Vickery...
Here's the full list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 10th Annual Ves Awards, to visit our Awards Avenue coverage of other award-giving bodies, winners and nominees, click here:
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture
Captain America: The First Avenger
Charlie Noble
Mark Soper
Christopher Townsend
Edson Williams
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Tim Burke
Emma Norton
John Richardson
David Vickery...
- 2/9/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Rango – the animated hit starring Johnny Depp as the eponymous ne’er-do-well chameleon — won the award for Best Animated Feature at the 2011 Annie Awards on Saturday night. Kung Fu Panda 2′s Jennifer Yuh Nelson won Best Feature Director. Rango took home three additional awards at the ceremony, hosted by Patton Oswalt at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles. The Adventures of Tintin, Arthur Christmas, Rio, and Winnie the Pooh also earned some hardware.
Check out the feature film winners below:
Best Animated Feature
Rango
Best Directing in a Feature Production
Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Kung Fu Panda 2...
Check out the feature film winners below:
Best Animated Feature
Rango
Best Directing in a Feature Production
Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Kung Fu Panda 2...
- 2/5/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
Michael Bay's Transformers: Dark of the Moon Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture Captain America: The First Avenger Charlie Noble Mark Soper Christopher Townsend Edson Williams Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Tim Burke Emma Norton John Richardson David Vickery Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Gary Brozenich David Conley Charlie Gibson Ben Snow Rise of the Planet of the Apes Dan Lemmon Joe Letteri Cyndi Ochs Kurt Williams Transformers: Dark of the Moon Scott Benza Wayne Billheimer Matthew Butler Scott Farrar Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture Anonymous Andre Cantarel Volker Engel Rony Soussan Marc Weigert Hugo Ben Grossmann Alex Henning Rob Legato Karen Murphy Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Laya Armian Chas Jarrett Seth Maury Sirio Quintavalle Source Code Annie Godin Louis Morin War Horse Duncan Burbidge Ben Morris Mike Mulholland Chris Zeh Outstanding Visual...
- 1/11/2012
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
The visual effects that we are seeing in movies these days are absolutely mind blowing. At this point it doesn't seem like there's any excuse for a film to have bad visual effects unless the people hired lack talent, or the studio is keeping the cash in their pockets.
There's a lot of good nomination this year such as Captain America, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Out of all of these I think that Planet of the Apes might take home the top prize, those apes were incredibly freaky looking. Weta did an amazing job with this movie, and out of all the other nominations this was the movie I was most impressed by. What are your thoughts? What movie did you think have the best visual effect in 2011?
Here's the full press release with all of the nominations:
Los Angeles,...
There's a lot of good nomination this year such as Captain America, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Out of all of these I think that Planet of the Apes might take home the top prize, those apes were incredibly freaky looking. Weta did an amazing job with this movie, and out of all the other nominations this was the movie I was most impressed by. What are your thoughts? What movie did you think have the best visual effect in 2011?
Here's the full press release with all of the nominations:
Los Angeles,...
- 1/9/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
By Sean O’Connell
hollywoodnews.com: Over the weekend, the Visual Effects Society announced the nominees for its 10th Annual Ves Awards ceremony, recognizing summer tentpoles (“Harry Potter,” “Captain America”) and surprise hits (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Hugo”) for their outstanding visual effects artistry in 23 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, special venues and video games.
“The standard of the creative work that is being considered this year is unbelievably high across all categories,” said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society. “The judges faced a huge challenge because all of the work was so far above the norm. We’re honored to have the opportunity to focus the spotlight on the outstanding work that has contributed to some of the highest grossing films and broadcast projects of all time.”
As previously announced, Stan Lee will be honored with the Ves 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award and...
hollywoodnews.com: Over the weekend, the Visual Effects Society announced the nominees for its 10th Annual Ves Awards ceremony, recognizing summer tentpoles (“Harry Potter,” “Captain America”) and surprise hits (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Hugo”) for their outstanding visual effects artistry in 23 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, special venues and video games.
“The standard of the creative work that is being considered this year is unbelievably high across all categories,” said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society. “The judges faced a huge challenge because all of the work was so far above the norm. We’re honored to have the opportunity to focus the spotlight on the outstanding work that has contributed to some of the highest grossing films and broadcast projects of all time.”
As previously announced, Stan Lee will be honored with the Ves 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award and...
- 1/9/2012
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
It's that time of year again when film critics connected to societies that dish out annual awards find their mailboxes stuffed with dozens of DVDs and the occasional gift or two: a bag of popcorn and Puss in Boots wrapping paper from DreamWorks, for example. Or the shooting script of The Descendants, which boasts an inane quote from Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman: "[Writer/director Alexander] Payne has become the Stanley Kubrick of serious American comedy." That sort of hyperbole transforms the usually sensible Gleiberman into the Rip Taylor of serious American critics.
Anyway, let's stalk through the DVD pile a little.
1) Steven Soderbergh's Contagion (pictured), a paean to death by bat droppings mixed with a bit of pork, is being pushed for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor (Laurence Fishburne), and about 17 other nominations. The studio heads only overlooked a trophy for Best Catering.
Sadly, in the Death-of-Mankind cinema category,...
Anyway, let's stalk through the DVD pile a little.
1) Steven Soderbergh's Contagion (pictured), a paean to death by bat droppings mixed with a bit of pork, is being pushed for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor (Laurence Fishburne), and about 17 other nominations. The studio heads only overlooked a trophy for Best Catering.
Sadly, in the Death-of-Mankind cinema category,...
- 11/27/2011
- by Brandon Judell
- www.culturecatch.com
Dreamworks has announed (via Blu-ray) the home release of Kung Fu Panda 2 for December 13th. The film will be released on the usual DVD/Blu-ray/Digital Copy, with the option to buy it in the separate formats as well. Ironically, the film was released in 3D, but no announcement has been made to release the film on 3D Blu-ray.
Here’s a list of special features you can expect to see:
An episode of Nickeleodeon’s Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness television series Kickin’ It with the Cast featurette which highlights old and new cast members Three deleted scenes, hosted by director Jennifer Yuh Nelson Filmmakers’ commentary with director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, producer Melissa Cobb, production designer Raymond Zibach, and supervising animator, kung fu choreographer, and story artist Rodolphe Guenoden World of DreamWorks Animation promos Previews Sneak peek at DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon...
Here’s a list of special features you can expect to see:
An episode of Nickeleodeon’s Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness television series Kickin’ It with the Cast featurette which highlights old and new cast members Three deleted scenes, hosted by director Jennifer Yuh Nelson Filmmakers’ commentary with director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, producer Melissa Cobb, production designer Raymond Zibach, and supervising animator, kung fu choreographer, and story artist Rodolphe Guenoden World of DreamWorks Animation promos Previews Sneak peek at DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon...
- 10/5/2011
- by Matt Keith
- Killer Films
First-Of-Their-Kind Awesome Gift Packs Include
A Brand New Kung Fu Panda Adventure
Plus 2 Free Kung Fu Panda World Online Game Memberships
Hollywood, Calif., Oct. 4, 2011 — Kung Fu Panda 2 , DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc.’s spectacular follow up to the Academy Award®-nominated original debuts on Blu-ray and DVD on Panda 2sday , December 13, 2011. Combining non-stop action, beautiful storytelling and stunning animation, the “winning sequel” ( USA Today) delighted viewers of all ages with its engaging story that is both “hilarious and full of heart” (Wabc-tv). The film earned more than $650 million at the global box office, making it one of the top five films of the year worldwide. In addition to the smash hit film, the Kung Fu Panda 2 Awesome Packs feature the exclusive debut of the all-new Po adventure Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters plus two free memberships to the popular online game universe Kung Fu Panda World. Packed...
A Brand New Kung Fu Panda Adventure
Plus 2 Free Kung Fu Panda World Online Game Memberships
Hollywood, Calif., Oct. 4, 2011 — Kung Fu Panda 2 , DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc.’s spectacular follow up to the Academy Award®-nominated original debuts on Blu-ray and DVD on Panda 2sday , December 13, 2011. Combining non-stop action, beautiful storytelling and stunning animation, the “winning sequel” ( USA Today) delighted viewers of all ages with its engaging story that is both “hilarious and full of heart” (Wabc-tv). The film earned more than $650 million at the global box office, making it one of the top five films of the year worldwide. In addition to the smash hit film, the Kung Fu Panda 2 Awesome Packs feature the exclusive debut of the all-new Po adventure Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters plus two free memberships to the popular online game universe Kung Fu Panda World. Packed...
- 10/5/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Release Date: Dec. 13, 2011
Price: DVD $29.99, 2-disc DVD Pack $40.99, 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack $49.99
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
The bear is back in Kung Fu Panda 2.
The animated family action-adventure Kung Fu Panda 2, DreamWorks Animation’s follow up to the 2008 smash Kung Fu Panda, offers a solid combination of action, storytelling and animation.
Featuring the voice talent of Jack Black (Gulliver’s Travels), Angelina Jolie (The Tourist), Seth Rogen (The Green Hornet), Danny McBride (Your Highness), Dustin Hoffman (Little Fockers), Gary Oldman (Sid & Nancy) and Jackie Chan (The Spy Next Door), the PG-rated Kung Fu Panda 2 finds Dragon Warrior panda Po (Black) leading his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five, on a mission to defeat a powerful old enemy who wields a lethal new weapon.
The film—which grossed $165 million during its wide release to U.S. theaters in the summer of 2011—will be available as...
Price: DVD $29.99, 2-disc DVD Pack $40.99, 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack $49.99
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
The bear is back in Kung Fu Panda 2.
The animated family action-adventure Kung Fu Panda 2, DreamWorks Animation’s follow up to the 2008 smash Kung Fu Panda, offers a solid combination of action, storytelling and animation.
Featuring the voice talent of Jack Black (Gulliver’s Travels), Angelina Jolie (The Tourist), Seth Rogen (The Green Hornet), Danny McBride (Your Highness), Dustin Hoffman (Little Fockers), Gary Oldman (Sid & Nancy) and Jackie Chan (The Spy Next Door), the PG-rated Kung Fu Panda 2 finds Dragon Warrior panda Po (Black) leading his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five, on a mission to defeat a powerful old enemy who wields a lethal new weapon.
The film—which grossed $165 million during its wide release to U.S. theaters in the summer of 2011—will be available as...
- 10/4/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Kung Fu Panda 2 enjoys a warrior's welcome in China, where it raked in an eye-popping £11m on its opening weekend
Po, the giant panda with the large appetite and burgeoning martial arts expertise, received a warm welcome in his "homeland" last month, according to Chinese reports. DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda 2 pulled in the highest opening weekend of all time in China, taking 125m yuan (£11m).
While the series is made in Hollywood, Kung Fu Panda has always been popular in China. The first instalment also broke box office records when it was released three years ago. Recently authorities opened a $4.5bn yuan (£420m) facility in Tianjin, near Beijing, in an effort to produce homegrown animated blockbusters, a move fuelled in part by the success of the earlier film and disappointment that it had not been made by a local company.
Both Kung Fu Pandas borrow heavily from Chinese culture,...
Po, the giant panda with the large appetite and burgeoning martial arts expertise, received a warm welcome in his "homeland" last month, according to Chinese reports. DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda 2 pulled in the highest opening weekend of all time in China, taking 125m yuan (£11m).
While the series is made in Hollywood, Kung Fu Panda has always been popular in China. The first instalment also broke box office records when it was released three years ago. Recently authorities opened a $4.5bn yuan (£420m) facility in Tianjin, near Beijing, in an effort to produce homegrown animated blockbusters, a move fuelled in part by the success of the earlier film and disappointment that it had not been made by a local company.
Both Kung Fu Pandas borrow heavily from Chinese culture,...
- 6/6/2011
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Dreamworks Animation's Kung Fu Panda 2 hits movie theaters on 26 May and ahead of the release, art director Raymond Zibach, will visit Chengdu for the premiere in China, and to explore the hometown of real pandas.In Chengdu, Zibach will share how his research into Chendgu's thriving culture helped inspire the film and how he incorporated new elements of the region into the movie. In the sequel, the famous panda Po will travel to Chengdu, his hometown, where he finds out more about his Kung Fu origins and family history.During his three days in Chengdu, Zibach ...
- 5/24/2011
- BusinessofCinema
DreamWorks Animation Pioneers Groundbreaking Combination of CG and Hand-Drawn Animation Techniques in Me and My Shadow for March 2013
Glendale, Calif., Dec. 10, 2010. DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc. announced that it will bring Me and My Shadow, an original project, to the big screen in March of 2013. The studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional animation techniques, which will be used seamlessly together throughout this 3D feature film.
Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor’s New Groove) is the film’s Director and Melissa Cobb (Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) are serving as Producers. Shane Prigmore (Coraline, Lord of the Rings) is Head of Story and Scott Wills (Monsters vs. Aliens, Ren & Stimpy) and Raymond Zibach (Kung Fu Panda, The Road to El Dorado) are Production Designers. Nick Fletcher (Shrek Forever After, The Prince of Egypt) is serving as Editor.
Glendale, Calif., Dec. 10, 2010. DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc. announced that it will bring Me and My Shadow, an original project, to the big screen in March of 2013. The studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional animation techniques, which will be used seamlessly together throughout this 3D feature film.
Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor’s New Groove) is the film’s Director and Melissa Cobb (Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) are serving as Producers. Shane Prigmore (Coraline, Lord of the Rings) is Head of Story and Scott Wills (Monsters vs. Aliens, Ren & Stimpy) and Raymond Zibach (Kung Fu Panda, The Road to El Dorado) are Production Designers. Nick Fletcher (Shrek Forever After, The Prince of Egypt) is serving as Editor.
- 12/11/2010
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc. today announced that it will bring Me and My Shadow, an original project, to the big screen in March of 2013. The studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional animation techniques, which will be used seamlessly together throughout this 3D feature film.
Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor’s New Groove) is the film’s Director and Melissa Cobb ( Kung Fu Panda , Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) are serving as Producers. Shane Prigmore (Coraline, Lord of the Rings) is Head of Story and Scott Wills (Monsters vs. Aliens, Ren & Stimpy) and Raymond Zibach ( Kung Fu Panda , The Road to El Dorado ) are Production Designers. Nick Fletcher (Shrek Forever After, The Prince of Egypt ) is serving as Editor. The screenplay for Me and My Shadow, which was originally penned by both Steve Bencich and Ron Friedman (Chicken Little,...
Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor’s New Groove) is the film’s Director and Melissa Cobb ( Kung Fu Panda , Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) are serving as Producers. Shane Prigmore (Coraline, Lord of the Rings) is Head of Story and Scott Wills (Monsters vs. Aliens, Ren & Stimpy) and Raymond Zibach ( Kung Fu Panda , The Road to El Dorado ) are Production Designers. Nick Fletcher (Shrek Forever After, The Prince of Egypt ) is serving as Editor. The screenplay for Me and My Shadow, which was originally penned by both Steve Bencich and Ron Friedman (Chicken Little,...
- 12/10/2010
- by Allan Ford
- Filmofilia
If you were wondering whether there would be any 3D computer-animated films in theaters two years from now, we’ve got your answer. Today, Dreamworks Animation Skg, Inc. announced its new original project, Me and My Shadow, is slated to hit screens in March 2013.
Me and My Shadow tells the story of Shadow Stan, a frustrated shadow who dreams of leading an exciting life. Unfortunately, he’s stuck trailing Stanley Grubb, the most boring man in the world. When he can’t stand his dull existence one second longer, he breaks the only rule of the shadow world, “They lead, we follow,” and takes direct control of Grubb.
Dreamworks is using this film to pioneer what it calls a “groundbreaking” combination of seamlessly blended computer-generated and traditional animation techniques in 3D. The studio impressed us this year with How to Train Your Dragon, so it’s safe to assume Me...
Me and My Shadow tells the story of Shadow Stan, a frustrated shadow who dreams of leading an exciting life. Unfortunately, he’s stuck trailing Stanley Grubb, the most boring man in the world. When he can’t stand his dull existence one second longer, he breaks the only rule of the shadow world, “They lead, we follow,” and takes direct control of Grubb.
Dreamworks is using this film to pioneer what it calls a “groundbreaking” combination of seamlessly blended computer-generated and traditional animation techniques in 3D. The studio impressed us this year with How to Train Your Dragon, so it’s safe to assume Me...
- 12/10/2010
- by James Battaglia
- The Film Stage
DreamWorks Animation dropped off a press release this morning announcing a new 3D animated film called Me and My Shadow. There's no voice cast yet, but the plot will follow "Shadow Stan, an extremely frustrated shadow who yearns for a dynamic life but happens to be stuck with Stanley Grubb, the world's most boring human. Finally pushed to the brink, Shadow Stan breaks the singular rule of the Shadow World ("They lead, we follow"), and takes control of Stanley!" More information about the forces behind the film is after the break. Here's the hook: the film will be a mix of CG and "traditional animation techniques." I can't say it any better than the press release did, so let's cut and paste: Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor's New Groove) is the film's director and Melissa Cobb (Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After,...
- 12/10/2010
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc. today announced that it will bring Me and My Shadow , an original project, to the big screen in March of 2013. The studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional animation techniques, which will be used seamlessly together throughout this 3D feature film. Mark Dindal ( Chicken Little , The Emperor's New Groove ) is the film's director and Melissa Cobb ( Kung Fu Panda , Kung Fu Panda 2 ) and Teresa Cheng ( Shrek Forever After , Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron ) are serving as producers. Shane Prigmore ( Coraline , "The Lord of the Rings") is head of story and Scott Wills ( Monsters vs. Aliens , "Ren & Stimpy") and Raymond Zibach ( Kung Fu Panda , The Road to El Dorado ) are production designers....
- 12/10/2010
- Comingsoon.net
Kung Fu Panda shut out its competition in every major feature film category at the 36th annual Annie Awards celebrating 2008’s best animated movies. The DreamWorks Animation pic bested critic favorite Wall-e and other nominee Bolt for “Best Feature.”
The surprise win is the first time DreamWorks has beaten a Pixar film for the top prize since 2001’s Shrek over Pixar’s Monster’s Inc. Panda took home fifteen statues Friday night and tied for the most wins ever. The Annie Award has matched the “Best Animated Feature” category at the Academy Awards every single year but one.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kfp, but I was under the impression that Wall-e was a better film all around. While DreamWorks Animation has stepped up its game in recent years, Pixar’s animation was exceptional. This is a major upset, especially since Wall-e went home with nothing. The Oscar race just got even more interesting.
The surprise win is the first time DreamWorks has beaten a Pixar film for the top prize since 2001’s Shrek over Pixar’s Monster’s Inc. Panda took home fifteen statues Friday night and tied for the most wins ever. The Annie Award has matched the “Best Animated Feature” category at the Academy Awards every single year but one.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kfp, but I was under the impression that Wall-e was a better film all around. While DreamWorks Animation has stepped up its game in recent years, Pixar’s animation was exceptional. This is a major upset, especially since Wall-e went home with nothing. The Oscar race just got even more interesting.
- 1/31/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
With five nominations, "Iron Man" leads the list for the seventh annual Ves Awards, which were chosen Saturday by panels comprised of members of the Visual Effects Society.
The Marvel Studios-produced superhero movie was cited in the categories of visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie, best single visual effect of the year, outstanding animated character in a live-action movie, outstanding models and miniatures in a feature, and outstanding special effects in a movie. The nominees cited for "Iron Man" are Ben Snow, Hal Hickel, Victoria Alonso and John Nelson.
Its competition for the best visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie honor are "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (Wendy Rogers, Dean Wright, Andrew Fowler, Greg Butler), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Eric Barba, Edson Williams, Nathan McGuinness, Lisa Beroud), "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (Michael J. Wassel, Lucy Killick, Adrian de Wet, Eamonn Butler) and "Cloverfield" (Kevin Blank,...
The Marvel Studios-produced superhero movie was cited in the categories of visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie, best single visual effect of the year, outstanding animated character in a live-action movie, outstanding models and miniatures in a feature, and outstanding special effects in a movie. The nominees cited for "Iron Man" are Ben Snow, Hal Hickel, Victoria Alonso and John Nelson.
Its competition for the best visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie honor are "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (Wendy Rogers, Dean Wright, Andrew Fowler, Greg Butler), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Eric Barba, Edson Williams, Nathan McGuinness, Lisa Beroud), "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (Michael J. Wassel, Lucy Killick, Adrian de Wet, Eamonn Butler) and "Cloverfield" (Kevin Blank,...
- 1/19/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Academy Awards are slowly creeping up, just three months away now with buzz seeming to only surround a handful of movies. But one piece of the puzzle and a solid indicator of the “Best Animated Feature” Oscar are the Annie Awards, now in their 36th year.
DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda earned 16 total nominations, a tie for the most in the history of the ceremonies. The other movies to pull that off were 2004’s The Incredibles and 2005’s Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
Since the Annies started, the Annie Award for “Best Animated Feature” has predicted the Oscar winner every single time but once.
This is huge for DreamWorks, who makes successful animated movies like Shrek, but hasn’t seem to put out the quality of film that Pixar seems to churn out on a regular basis. Just for comparison, this year’s expert pick for...
DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda earned 16 total nominations, a tie for the most in the history of the ceremonies. The other movies to pull that off were 2004’s The Incredibles and 2005’s Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
Since the Annies started, the Annie Award for “Best Animated Feature” has predicted the Oscar winner every single time but once.
This is huge for DreamWorks, who makes successful animated movies like Shrek, but hasn’t seem to put out the quality of film that Pixar seems to churn out on a regular basis. Just for comparison, this year’s expert pick for...
- 12/3/2008
- by Jeff
- newsinfilm.com
DreamWorks' excellent "Kung Fu Panda" lead the 2008 Annie Award nominees with a total of seventeen nominations which included Best Feature, Best Feature Writing, Best Directing, Best Animated Effects, Best Character Animation as well as Best Animated Video Game. (See featured store items at the bottom of the page) Disney/Pixar's heart-warming "Wall-e" ended second best with a total of eight nominations. Also faring well was another Disney pic in the recent "Bolt" voiced by John Travolta and Miley Cyrus. The adventure comedy scored five nominations. DreamWorks, which also released "Kung Fu Panda" companion piece "Secrets of the Furious Five" and "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," landed a grand total of 27 nominations. As listed, here are the 2008 Annie Award Nominations by CategoryPRODUCTION CATEGORIESBest Animated Feature Bolt – Walt Disney Animation Studios Kung Fu Panda – DreamWorks Animation $9.99 – Sherman Pictures/Lama Films Wall•E – Pixar Animation Studios Waltz With Bashir – Sony Pictures Classics/Bridgit Folman, Les Films D’ici,...
- 12/2/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
On Monday, December 1, the International Animated Film Society, Asifa-Hollywood, has come out with an announcement of 2008 Annie Awards' nominations. Dominating the list is "Kung Fu Panda" with 17 nods for the animated features category as well as for video games category.
In the feature film category itself, this DreamWorks Animation comedy has collected in total 16 nods. One comes from the production category, that is Best Animated Feature, whereas the rest from the individual nominations. For the Best Voice Acting title, "Panda" has managed to put three of its voice actors, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong and Ian McShane, to compete with voice actors from "Wall-e" and "Bolt". Additionally, it also gives directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne a shot for Best Animated Film Director.
Beside "Kung Fu Panda", other movies collecting multiple nominations for Annie are "Bolt" and "Wall-e". "Bolt" has earned 9 counts and "Wall-e" has landed on 8 nods. Both of which...
In the feature film category itself, this DreamWorks Animation comedy has collected in total 16 nods. One comes from the production category, that is Best Animated Feature, whereas the rest from the individual nominations. For the Best Voice Acting title, "Panda" has managed to put three of its voice actors, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong and Ian McShane, to compete with voice actors from "Wall-e" and "Bolt". Additionally, it also gives directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne a shot for Best Animated Film Director.
Beside "Kung Fu Panda", other movies collecting multiple nominations for Annie are "Bolt" and "Wall-e". "Bolt" has earned 9 counts and "Wall-e" has landed on 8 nods. Both of which...
- 12/2/2008
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Photo: DreamWorks Animation The International Animated Film Society announced the nominees for the 2008 Annie Awards and Kung Fu Panda is leading the way with 17 nominations followed by Disney's Bolt with 9 and the Disney/Pixar feature Wall-e earning 8. Panda picked up a healthy amount of noms in categories such as Character Animation, Character Design, Music, Production Design, Storyboarding, Voice Acting and Writing. In each of those categories it was either nominated while Bolt and Wall-e were not or secured multiple nominations giving it the outright nomination lead by 8. Could this be a sign of a Panda-over-wall-e Oscar upset? The nominees are listed below and you can check out the official award site here. Best Animated Feature Bolt (Walt Disney Animation Studios) Kung Fu Panda (DreamWorks Animation) $9.99 (Sherman Pictures/Lama Films) Wall-e (Pixar Animation Studios) Waltz With Bashir (Sony Pictures Classics/Bridgit Folman, Les Films D'ici, Razor Films) Best Animated Home Entertainment...
- 12/1/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
DreamWorks Animation's "Kung Fu Panda" fought off stiff competition to earn 16 nominations -- the most for a feature -- for the International Animated Film Society's 36th Annual Annie Awards.
That includes a nomination for best-animated feature, a category that includes Pixar Animation Studios "Wall-e"-considered the frontrunner for the Oscar-which earned seven nominations. "Panda" and "Wall-e" also earned one additional nomination each in the best video game competition.
The top category is rounded out by nominations for Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Bolt," a 3-D release that earned five nominations; Sony Pictures Classics' "Waltz With Bashir," Israel's award-winning documentary, which took four nominations; and Sherman Pictures/Lama Films "$9.99," a stop-motion title that earned two nominations.
Blue Sky Studios' "Dr. Suess' Horton Hear as Who," a Fox release, also had a strong showing with five nominations.
All of these features are short listed by AMPAS for this season's animated feature competition.
Dwa earned a total of 27 nominations.
That includes a nomination for best-animated feature, a category that includes Pixar Animation Studios "Wall-e"-considered the frontrunner for the Oscar-which earned seven nominations. "Panda" and "Wall-e" also earned one additional nomination each in the best video game competition.
The top category is rounded out by nominations for Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Bolt," a 3-D release that earned five nominations; Sony Pictures Classics' "Waltz With Bashir," Israel's award-winning documentary, which took four nominations; and Sherman Pictures/Lama Films "$9.99," a stop-motion title that earned two nominations.
Blue Sky Studios' "Dr. Suess' Horton Hear as Who," a Fox release, also had a strong showing with five nominations.
All of these features are short listed by AMPAS for this season's animated feature competition.
Dwa earned a total of 27 nominations.
- 12/1/2008
- by By Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cannes, Out of Competition
Martial arts movies have always had a certain cartoonish element, so DreamWorks' martial-arts cartoon "Kung Fu Panda" makes perfect sense. Taking full advantage of Cinemascope's wide screen to splash quicker-than-the-eye action across striking Chinese landscapes, animators led by directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne deliver a movie that is as funny as it is frantic. Though aimed primarily at youngsters, "KF Panda" embraces humor that plays well across age groups and nationalities. Certainly the sustained applause at its Palais debut here in Cannes bodes well for international boxoffice success.
The stroke of genius is, of course, the film's hero -- the big, lovable bear that is the Chinese panda. Sweet looking, perhaps a bit clumsy, seemingly unflappable, what could be an odder hero for a kung fu movie? Transforming a panda named Po -- voiced by big, lovable Jack Black -- into a kung fu fighter to save a threatened village in ancient times is essentially the entire movie.
He does not start with a lot of promise, only a boundless enthusiasm for the discipline and a seeming inability to perform its simplest tasks. His dad, a goose named Mr. Ping (James Hong) -- that discrepancy is never clarified -- runs a noodle shop and expects his son to follow in his web steps.
But Po longs to train under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and alongside his heroes, the Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross) and Monkey (is that Jackie Chan). He miraculously fulfills this impossible dream when the inventor of kung fu, Oogway the turtle Randall Duk Kim), anoints him the long-prophesied Dragon Warrior.
Comic calamities pile on top of one another until Shifu recognizes Po's true driving force -- his insatiable appetite.
A bun or a cookie snatched from his grasp has Po performing feats of remarkable agility and no little ferocity. He is soon ready to face the villainous Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a snow leopard who descends on the fearful village to exact revenge his own rejection as the Dragon Warrior.
Like most chop-socky movies, "KF Panda" strays not at all from its twin goals of action and comedy. Whatever points the script by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger want to make to children about pursuing goals, it does so quickly and gets back to the fights. A battle along a rope bridge between the Furious Five and Tai Lung and Po's showdown with his adversary dominate the final third of the film after the mostly comic run-up to those battles.
The animation is clean and vivid: Backgrounds and sets are appreciative tributes to Chinese landscape art and architecture; the fighting style of each animal, whether a snake, a tiger or a monkey, is subtly rendered; and the filmmakers have clearly studied the best Asian martial arts films to spark inspiration for those gravity-defying stunts.
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, Ian McShane, David Cross. Directors: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne. Screenwriters: Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger. Story by: Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris. Producer: Melissa Cobb. Executive producer: Bill Damaschke Director of photography: Yong Duk Jhun. Production designer: Raymond Zibach. Music: Hans Zimmer, John Powell. Editor: C.K. Norness.
production companies: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation
Rated PG, 90 minutes.
Martial arts movies have always had a certain cartoonish element, so DreamWorks' martial-arts cartoon "Kung Fu Panda" makes perfect sense. Taking full advantage of Cinemascope's wide screen to splash quicker-than-the-eye action across striking Chinese landscapes, animators led by directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne deliver a movie that is as funny as it is frantic. Though aimed primarily at youngsters, "KF Panda" embraces humor that plays well across age groups and nationalities. Certainly the sustained applause at its Palais debut here in Cannes bodes well for international boxoffice success.
The stroke of genius is, of course, the film's hero -- the big, lovable bear that is the Chinese panda. Sweet looking, perhaps a bit clumsy, seemingly unflappable, what could be an odder hero for a kung fu movie? Transforming a panda named Po -- voiced by big, lovable Jack Black -- into a kung fu fighter to save a threatened village in ancient times is essentially the entire movie.
He does not start with a lot of promise, only a boundless enthusiasm for the discipline and a seeming inability to perform its simplest tasks. His dad, a goose named Mr. Ping (James Hong) -- that discrepancy is never clarified -- runs a noodle shop and expects his son to follow in his web steps.
But Po longs to train under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and alongside his heroes, the Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross) and Monkey (is that Jackie Chan). He miraculously fulfills this impossible dream when the inventor of kung fu, Oogway the turtle Randall Duk Kim), anoints him the long-prophesied Dragon Warrior.
Comic calamities pile on top of one another until Shifu recognizes Po's true driving force -- his insatiable appetite.
A bun or a cookie snatched from his grasp has Po performing feats of remarkable agility and no little ferocity. He is soon ready to face the villainous Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a snow leopard who descends on the fearful village to exact revenge his own rejection as the Dragon Warrior.
Like most chop-socky movies, "KF Panda" strays not at all from its twin goals of action and comedy. Whatever points the script by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger want to make to children about pursuing goals, it does so quickly and gets back to the fights. A battle along a rope bridge between the Furious Five and Tai Lung and Po's showdown with his adversary dominate the final third of the film after the mostly comic run-up to those battles.
The animation is clean and vivid: Backgrounds and sets are appreciative tributes to Chinese landscape art and architecture; the fighting style of each animal, whether a snake, a tiger or a monkey, is subtly rendered; and the filmmakers have clearly studied the best Asian martial arts films to spark inspiration for those gravity-defying stunts.
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, Ian McShane, David Cross. Directors: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne. Screenwriters: Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger. Story by: Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris. Producer: Melissa Cobb. Executive producer: Bill Damaschke Director of photography: Yong Duk Jhun. Production designer: Raymond Zibach. Music: Hans Zimmer, John Powell. Editor: C.K. Norness.
production companies: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation
Rated PG, 90 minutes.
- 5/28/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cannes film review, Out of Competition
Martial arts movies have always had a certain cartoonish element, so DreamWorks' martial-arts cartoon "Kung Fu Panda" makes perfect sense. Taking full advantage of Cinemascope's wide screen to splash quicker-than-the-eye action across striking Chinese landscapes, animators led by directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne deliver a movie that is as funny as it is frantic. Though aimed primarily at youngsters, "KF Panda" embraces humor that plays well across age groups and nationalities. Certainly the sustained applause at its Palais debut here in Cannes bodes well for international boxoffice success.
The stroke of genius is, of course, the film's hero -- the big, lovable bear that is the Chinese panda. Sweet looking, perhaps a bit clumsy, seemingly unflappable, what could be an odder hero for a kung fu movie? Transforming a panda named Po -- voiced by big, lovable Jack Black -- into a kung fu fighter to save a threatened village in ancient times is essentially the entire movie.
He does not start with a lot of promise, only a boundless enthusiasm for the discipline and a seeming inability to perform its simplest tasks. His dad, a goose named Mr. Ping (James Hong) -- that discrepancy is never clarified -- runs a noodle shop and expects his son to follow in his web steps.
But Po longs to train under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and alongside his heroes, the Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross) and Monkey (is that Jackie Chan). He miraculously fulfills this impossible dream when the inventor of kung fu, Oogway the turtle Randall Duk Kim), anoints him the long-prophesied Dragon Warrior.
Comic calamities pile on top of one another until Shifu recognizes Po's true driving force -- his insatiable appetite.
A bun or a cookie snatched from his grasp has Po performing feats of remarkable agility and no little ferocity. He is soon ready to face the villainous Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a snow leopard who descends on the fearful village to exact revenge his own rejection as the Dragon Warrior.
Like most chop-socky movies, "KF Panda" strays not at all from its twin goals of action and comedy. Whatever points the script by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger want to make to children about pursuing goals, it does so quickly and gets back to the fights. A battle along a rope bridge between the Furious Five and Tai Lung and Po's showdown with his adversary dominate the final third of the film after the mostly comic run-up to those battles.
The animation is clean and vivid: Backgrounds and sets are appreciative tributes to Chinese landscape art and architecture; the fighting style of each animal, whether a snake, a tiger or a monkey, is subtly rendered; and the filmmakers have clearly studied the best Asian martial arts films to spark inspiration for those gravity-defying stunts.
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, Ian McShane, David Cross. Directors: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne. Screenwriters: Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger. Story by: Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris. Producer: Melissa Cobb. Executive producer: Bill Damaschke Director of photography: Yong Duk Jhun. Production designer: Raymond Zibach. Music: Hans Zimmer, John Powell. Editor: C.K. Norness.
production companies: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation
Rated PG, 90 minutes.
Martial arts movies have always had a certain cartoonish element, so DreamWorks' martial-arts cartoon "Kung Fu Panda" makes perfect sense. Taking full advantage of Cinemascope's wide screen to splash quicker-than-the-eye action across striking Chinese landscapes, animators led by directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne deliver a movie that is as funny as it is frantic. Though aimed primarily at youngsters, "KF Panda" embraces humor that plays well across age groups and nationalities. Certainly the sustained applause at its Palais debut here in Cannes bodes well for international boxoffice success.
The stroke of genius is, of course, the film's hero -- the big, lovable bear that is the Chinese panda. Sweet looking, perhaps a bit clumsy, seemingly unflappable, what could be an odder hero for a kung fu movie? Transforming a panda named Po -- voiced by big, lovable Jack Black -- into a kung fu fighter to save a threatened village in ancient times is essentially the entire movie.
He does not start with a lot of promise, only a boundless enthusiasm for the discipline and a seeming inability to perform its simplest tasks. His dad, a goose named Mr. Ping (James Hong) -- that discrepancy is never clarified -- runs a noodle shop and expects his son to follow in his web steps.
But Po longs to train under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and alongside his heroes, the Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross) and Monkey (is that Jackie Chan). He miraculously fulfills this impossible dream when the inventor of kung fu, Oogway the turtle Randall Duk Kim), anoints him the long-prophesied Dragon Warrior.
Comic calamities pile on top of one another until Shifu recognizes Po's true driving force -- his insatiable appetite.
A bun or a cookie snatched from his grasp has Po performing feats of remarkable agility and no little ferocity. He is soon ready to face the villainous Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a snow leopard who descends on the fearful village to exact revenge his own rejection as the Dragon Warrior.
Like most chop-socky movies, "KF Panda" strays not at all from its twin goals of action and comedy. Whatever points the script by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger want to make to children about pursuing goals, it does so quickly and gets back to the fights. A battle along a rope bridge between the Furious Five and Tai Lung and Po's showdown with his adversary dominate the final third of the film after the mostly comic run-up to those battles.
The animation is clean and vivid: Backgrounds and sets are appreciative tributes to Chinese landscape art and architecture; the fighting style of each animal, whether a snake, a tiger or a monkey, is subtly rendered; and the filmmakers have clearly studied the best Asian martial arts films to spark inspiration for those gravity-defying stunts.
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, Ian McShane, David Cross. Directors: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne. Screenwriters: Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger. Story by: Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris. Producer: Melissa Cobb. Executive producer: Bill Damaschke Director of photography: Yong Duk Jhun. Production designer: Raymond Zibach. Music: Hans Zimmer, John Powell. Editor: C.K. Norness.
production companies: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation
Rated PG, 90 minutes.
- 5/15/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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