By: Hayden Hendricks
Millions of people around the world love movies. Great films come out constantly, while classics from years (or even decades) ago continue to captivate audiences. But what truly makes a movie memorable? In my opinion, it comes down to style, animation quality, voice acting, strong writing, an engaging plot, and the overall feeling the story leaves you with.
One film that easily checks all these boxes is Kung Fu Panda. This hit movie launched an entire franchise, including several sequels and television spin-offs. The original film was an instant classic. The animation was impressive and seamlessly synced with the characters’ dialogue. The exciting plot follows Po, a giant panda who was separated from his birth parents as a baby and raised by a noodle shop owner. Though raised in the restaurant business, Po secretly dreams of learning kung fu and eventually stumbles into becoming the legendary Dragon Warrior.
Many people love this movie and consider it an animated classic. Among those fans is Eisenhower High School senior Carson Sobkowski. When The Squire asked Sobkowski for his thoughts on the series, he explained, “I love the Kung Fu Panda series, and I think the first couple of movies are great.” This sentiment is common among fans, who often favor the original trilogy. Sobkowski also shared details about his favorite character: “I would say my favorite character is Master Oogway because he is wise and very powerful.”
While I agree that Oogway is both powerful and wise, my personal favorite is the original villain, Tai Lung. As Master Shifu’s first student, Tai Lung was exceptionally gifted, but his pride led him down a dark path when he was denied the Dragon Scroll. After breaking out of a maximum-security prison, he fought his way across the realm to claim the scroll, ultimately setting up an epic final showdown with Po.
If you are looking for an entertaining animated series with multiple films and television shows to follow, give Kung Fu Panda a watch. The franchise offers great storytelling, fun characters, and rich lore for viewers of all ages to enjoy.
