‘Kung Fu Panda 3’ Awesome Edition

Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's

Let’s face it – baby pandas are adorable and the newest film in the Kung Fu Panda franchise has plenty of them. Kung Fu Panda 3 is a fun-filled story that is every bit as enjoyable as the original movie that came out in 2008.

The story has Po, the Dragon Warrior, and the Furious Five (Tigress, Mantis, Viper, Crane, and Monkey) in a fight for survival not only for themselves but also for the entire village as well as all the pandas. Yes, as viewers discover, Po is not the only surviving panda. His biological father tracks him down and tells the story of the secret village where pandas live and thrive with the ways of Chi.
Chi is the “energy that flows through all living things.” It is the force desired by Kai, a villain that returns to the realm of the living after being banished to the spirit world by Oogway. He is now collecting the Chi from all the masters to become the largest force in China. But he doesn’t count on one thing – Po!

Po now has two dads – Li, his biological father, and Mr. Ping, his adoptive father. He leaves the village with Li to learn the ways of the pandas. When he gets to the panda village he encounters a different way of life than what he has known. And viewers finally learn what happened way back when Po was lost and ultimately taken in by Mr. Ping.

The panda village is filled with pandas of all ages, however the adorable young curious and often-mischievous pandas, will steal the hearts of viewers. They are filled with frolicking fun and teach Po their ways. Finally, it comes down to Po using the pandas and their own unique abilities to help save everyone from the evil Kai.

The Awesome Edition combo pack includes a Blu-ray, a DVD, Digital HD, and plenty of bonus features. “Everybody Loves a Panda Party” is a musical video story about the movie and all the characters. “Po’s Posters of Awesomeness” has Po (voiced by Jack Black) describing all the posters of him in the noodle restaurant.

“Play Like a Panda” is a great bonus showing not only the little pandas in the film but also real life baby pandas. As the filmmakers say, with the addition of the young pandas, “the cuteness level” rises. And it certainly does. And “Panda Paws” is a fun short that has features two pandas – Mei Mei, a ribbon dancer and little Bao – auditioning for the Spring Festival.

In “The Origins of ‘Skadoosh’” Po tells viewers how he came up with his trademark word. “Make a Panda Party Paper Pal” talks viewers through the process of folding the little paper panda that is included in the box. It’s a fun activity for kids and in the end they have their own paper panda that they have created. Deleted scenes round out the bonus features.

Bryan Cranston supplies the voice of Li, Po’s father. Dustin Hoffman (Shifu), Angelina Jolie (Tigress), Jackie Chan (Monkey), Seth Rogen (Mantis), Lucy Liu (Viper), David Cross (Crane), and James Hong (Mr. Ping) all return for this third installment in the franchise. Kate Hudson adds the voice of Mei Mei.

Kung Fu Panda 3 is an entertaining film for the whole family. And the cuteness factor is raised a hundred percent with the addition of the young pandas. This is definitely just as entertaining and in some ways even more fun than the original movie. This movie is rated PG for martial arts action and some mild rude humor.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 20 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, from Sourced Media Books.

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