Thursday, February 25, 2016

Kung Fu Panda

Dhruva was talking (in total awe) of the amazing animation, especially of the fast paced battle sequences of Kung Fu Panda, and that created a mood for a rerun.



And no surprise....we enjoyed it as much all over again. The simple yet deep truths, a lovable Panda, wonderful support cast......his teacher Shifu, the wise Oogway, the Furious five, brilliant animation and an endearing story.

You also realize how, the more you know about a field or skill, the more you appreciate the expertise and technical excellence ( and thanks to Dhruva, I'm half there with CGI and animation :) And to add, while there were so many gravity defying stunts, especially by the fierce five, I understand they were all what physics will permit.

The story itself......who'd think that a fat sloppy panda could be a Kung Fu master, right? But then, that's what it's all about I guess. 'If you think you can, or... you think you can't, you're right'. All about belief. And then process of course. Goal, Belief, Process..... in all their power and splendor.

And I loved Pos character, so cool and irreverant  and passionate.....and the whole process of how he discovers his own strengths .......and goes from a big fan of the Furious Five and their Kung Fu, to being selected and then becoming, the chosen Dragon Warrior.  The furious five are as fascinating. Maybe about how size and shape and community....nothing matters.  And then there's so many laugh aloud moments too. Can't not add...Jack Black was as lovable in voice as he is in real. He just made Po so endearing.

The Shifu and Po training sequence, all revolving over a dumpling, was a hugely interesting sequence. Also the Oogway wisdom 'it's all about the now, not the past, not the future but now, and that's why it's called the present'..a lot of kids got that just right.' ( they didn't need Ekhart Tolle, you see). And also how, once Oogway realizes that Shifu has accepted the truth, he disappears into the sparkling cherry blossoms...a gorgeously beautiful visual sequence.

It's just one of those movies you can keep in your collection and watch when the mood takes you, child or adult alike, though of course watching with the kids just makes it that one level more fun.

In fact Diksha's reference for 'aha moments' is 'Oogway moments', and in that sense Oogway is part of home :)

2 comments:

  1. For me, the most defining moment and the one that changed my outlook towards life forever is during the fight sequence, when Panda pauses and gets into the complete balance framework and takes the dew drop from one side all the way to the other.. I developed the theory" it is all about balance". My kids have been trying to convince me forever that it is a movie but I can't shake off that scene of complete tranquility and the power he gets from within...

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  2. Hey Vishakha, Can't agree with you more...and it's funny you should choose to write this now.... as my current pet mantra is indeed 'balance' and it so so resonates :)

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