Bring Home ‘Panda Bear in Africa’
Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's
The adorable animated movie Panda Bear in Africa is now available on DVD and Digital. It’s a story of friendship, family, and finding ones inner strength.
In China little Panda Pang and his best friend dragon Jielong enjoy their time playing together. Jielong is always upset that her dad still treats her like a child because she has not yet been able to fly and her other dragon powers have yet to appear.
Pang, on the other hand, is happy with his youthful spirit.
Now, over in Africa the lion prince is celebrating his birthday and his guardian uncle has sent his underlings to Asia to capture a dragon for the prince. He has ulterior motives however, as the hyenas are returning to the forest and the lion wants them gone. He wants the captured dragon to freeze them with her breath to keep them out of the lions territory. If they are allowed to return to the forest some secrets from the past will come out and his future will be in jeopardy.
In Asia when Jielong is captured Pang is at a quandary. Should he go for help or go after his best friend? He decides to follow the boat that is taking Jielong to Africa.
Once he gets to Africa his adventure leads him through all kinds of situations that put him in jeopardy. First he meets a little monkey named Jojo who befriends him but has ulterior motives. Soon Pang is imprisoned along with Jojo.
This clever little Panda manages to escape and brings Jojo with him on his quest to find the lion rock and free Jielong. Together they face even more challenges on their way but manage to forge on.
Jielong is now the “pet” of the little lion prince. She is uncertain of what her future will be but hopeful she will be able to get out of this horrific situation and return to her dad.
Eventually Pang, Jojo, and Jielong are united and after digging down they all realize their potentials and bravery and yes, (spoiler alert), they all are freed and able to return to Asia. It is a happy ending although throughout the ordeal they each face dreadful situations with consequences that could end their lives.
There are shades of The Lion King as well as a possible nod to The Wizard of Oz as along the way to saving Jielong Pang brings Jojo as they head toward the pride land.
The film won the 2025 National Parenting Product Award and Common Sense Media, “It delivers exactly what it promises: an adventurous, feel-good tale for kids.”
The bonus features include a featurette with screenwriter Rob Sprackling discussing how the story began and what the characters offer to each other and to the viewers. It is a look at the evolution of the story and the characters as they are able to find their inner strengths and forge on through tough times.
Panda Bear in Africa is a cute story filled with all kinds of characters. And the ending is definitely a happy one for all.
Panda Bear in Africa is not rated. The film is available on Digital and DVD.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
Images supplied courtesy Shout! Studios