Tenía esta entrada en borrador desde hace tiempo pero sólo hasta hoy que me la repito, como por tercera vez, me animo a publicarla formalmente. En fin, peli de John Stevenson y Mark Osborne de 2008, nominada al Oscar como mejor película animada, con doce premios, veinte nominaciones más y ratificando a Jack Black como un héroe de los niños en los Kids’ Choice Awards.

Es una historia sencilla con una moraleja de crecimiento personal y sobretodo de autoconfianza, de fé en uno mismo y en los sueños que lo caracterizan como individuo único. Bonita.

Sin embargo, hay aspectos realmente delirantes en la peli que la hacen particularmente excelente. Lo primero, Dreamworks saliendose del esquema de Shrek, que le dió tantos triunfos y reinventándose con un excelente producto.

Dos, Jack Black como un enorme oso panda llamado Po, un gordo lleno de ilusiones y sueños, su papel de toda la vida, con esa voz de Black tan característica de él, tan entusiasta y llena de falsos logros, de superación y adoración de héroes imaginarios; esta vez con la personificación de un niño de diez años, muy trabajador, muy responsable pero con la cabeza llena de fantasías.

Tres, Ian McShane, actor que recordamos en la exitosa Deadwood, poniendo esa voz profunda, oscura y macabra en el lado antagónico de la historia sobre un tigre de bengala dominado por su orgullo y descarriado al lado oscuro del Kung Fu. Esta voz y la del comandante Vachir a cargo de Michael Clarke Duncan me parecen realmente sobresalientes.

Cuatro, los apuntes de David Cross y Seth Rogen.

Cinco, la dirección de arte a cargo de Raymond Zibach combinado con las cámaras y cinematografía de Yong Duk Jhun (obviamente este dato me lo bajé de IMDb) hacen que la peli sea consistente, interesante, divetida, entretenida, un buen plan para pasar el rato así uno ya se la haya visto.

Seis, la secuencia animada del principio, en una simulación 2D bien interesante. Un sueño de Po describiendo un estado épico del equipo de los 5 Furiosos y El Guerrero Dragón, una secuencia de katas del más fino arte marcial y después contrastado con la caricatura en la que se convierte al final esta secuencia me parece el premio mayor.

Obviamente, un trabajo impresionante de todo ese equipo técnico, tan grande pero que logran resolver de una manera sencilla todo el tema del 3D, el matte painting, los mapas, los esqueletos, las animaciones, los sostenidos, las secuencias, etc… Y sumado al impresionante resto del reparto como son Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Randall Duk Kim, el legendario James Hong y hasta Wayne Knight, hacen de esta obra un paquete sin igual.

Nota. Me volvió a suceder que no encontraba un afiche que me gustara completamente y me tocó hacer el mío. Ojalá les guste.

Kung Fu Panda è un film d’animazione del 2008, diretto da Mark Osborne e John Stevenson e prodotto dalla DreamWorks Animation, che racconta le vicende di un imbranato panda gigante intento ad imparare le arti marziali. Il film è stato presentato fuori concorso al Festival di Cannes 2008.

Leggi altre notizie su: | Animazione | Commedia | Mark Osborne | John Stevenson | Jack Black | Dustin Hoffman | Angelina Jolie | Jackie Chan

I LOVE Mark Osborne’s short film, “MORE“ which came with El Bola, the very first FilmMovement.com selection (Year 1, Film 1).   I watch it over and over and over again!    It presents an interesting contrast between children who are simply being happy with adults intent on producing and consuming happiness.

Enjoy!

Título: Kung Fu Panda
Título original: Kung Fu Panda
País: USA
Estreno en USA: 06/06/2008
Estreno en España: 11/07/2008
Productora: DreamWorks Animation
Director: John Stevenson y Mark Osborne
Guión: Jonathan Aibel y Glenn Berger
Reparto: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Ian McShane, Lucy Liu, Angelina Jolie, David Cross, Seth Rogen

Sinopsis:

Entusiasta, grande y patoso, Po es un loco del kung-fu, un pasatiempo que no encaja muy bien con su trabajo en el restaurante de tallarines de la familia. Pero cuando el destino quiere que Po sea el escogido para cumplir con una antigua profecía, se presenta la oportunidad de que todos sus sueños se hagan realidad. Se sumirá en el mundo del kung-fu para estudiar con sus ídolos, los legendarios Cinco Furiosos: Tigresa, Grulla, Mantis, Víbora y Mono, bajo el liderazgo de su gurú, el maestro Shifu. Pero el vengativo leopardo de las nieves, Tai Lung, prepara un ataque. Po deberá defender el Valle de la Paz de la terrible amenaza. ¿Podrá hacer realidad su sueño de convertirse en un maestro del kung-fu? Po lo intentará con todo su ser, y este inesperado héroe descubrirá que sus mayores debilidades también son sus mayores bazas.

Opinión:

Dreamworks es así. De vez en cuando nos trae cagarros de dimensiones épicas tipo “Shrek 3″ y en otras les da por jugar de tu a tu con la increíble Pixar. Y esta es una de esas ocasiones. Divertidisima parodia de las películas de artes marciales, con una historia mil veces vista pero rodada de tal forma que hace que parezca nueva y fresca, es un largometraje para toda la familia, ya que fascinara al peque de la casa como divertirá al mas talludito del lugar.

Héroe a pesar de todo

Con un guion inteligente y bien estructurado que no abusa del gag fácil y unas secuencias de acción realmente extraordinarias, mas unos personajes que no se hacen nunca pesados, caso del maestro tortuga (bellisima la escena en la que desaparece) o el maestro Shifu, que casi dejan en un segundo plano al simpático Po, la película destaca asimismo por su sobresaliente animación y su puesta en escena.

El maestro Shifu

En definitiva, una fantástica elección para que la familia se siente junta a la hora de ver una película y la disfrute sobremanera. Palabrita del niño Jesus.

Puntuación:

7 / 10

Hay en estos momentos una gran cantidad de películas que todavía no han llegado a la salas pero que han despertado mi atención, y he pensado que sería interesante hacer un ranking de todas ellas y recoger toda la información, imágenes y videos relevantes que han ido saliendo en los últimos meses. Aquí tenéis la primera entrega de este repaso de lo que podremos ver en los cines en los próximos meses (y años).

#10 SURROGATES (2009)

A la cola de las diez pelis que más ganas tengo de ver está Surrogates, basada en la novela gráfica del mismo nombre de Robert Venditti y Brett Weldele. La historia transcurre en un futuro en el que las personas viven aisladas en sus casas y hacen sus vida a través de robots sustitutos que tienen mejores cualidades físicas que los originales. El problema surge cuando comienzan a producirse asesinatos de estos sustitutos y de sus respectivos dueños y un inspector de policía tenga que volver al mundo ¿real? Para intentar resolver el caso.

Un punto a favor del film, en mi opinión, es que el inspector está interpretado por Bruce Willis. Sin embargo, tiene uno negativo que me hace tener dudas, muchas dudas. Y es que está dirigida por Jonathan Mostow, el autor de ese aborto cinematográfico titulado Terminador 3. Sin embargo el tráiler me ha dejado buen sabor de boca, juzguen ustedes:
Surrogates trailer.

#9 9 (2009)

Pues sí, amigos de lo evidente, el puesto número nueve es para… ¡9! Esta película de animación con un nombre tan singular es la “versión extendida” del cortometraje homónimo de Shane Acker.

La película, si me he enterado bien de lo que he logrado traducir de otras páginas, trata sobre un mundo apocalíptico atacado por monstruos que roban las almas de los habitantes de este planeta, que no son ni más ni menos que singulares muñecos de trapo. En este mundo hay nueve guardianes que tendrán que defender a la población de esos indeseables monstruos y que intentarán salvar el mundo.

La producción corre a cargo de Tim Burton y los carteles y escenas que se han visto hasta ahora son bastante espectaculares. Os dejo una escena de la peli, un trailer y un par de carteles (aunque si buscáis hay bastante material dando vueltas por la red). ¿Adivináis cuando se estrena la película? Fácil: el 9-9-09 (En EE.UU, claro. Aquí… a saber).

9, escena “Under Attack”
9, tease trailer

#8 KICK-ASS (2009)
Y aquí va otra adaptación del mundo del comic (no, creo que es evidente que el gremio de los guionistas no está en su punto álgido), en este caso uno de la Marvel que por desgracia todavía no ha llegado a nuestro país.

La historia cuenta las peripecias de un adolescente que, para evadirse de la vida real e inspirado en los comics de superhéroes, decide convertirse en uno de ellos. Lo gracioso del asunto es que, a diferencia de los héroes de cómic, él no tiene ningún superpoder ni ninguna habilidad que se precie. Para poner la guinda al asunto, en su lucha contra la mafia se unirá a un inspector de la policía, interpretado por Nicolas Cage (eso es malo), y su hija, a la que ha entrenado desde niña para que sea una máquina de matar (eso es bueno). Además, la primera clasificación del film ya ha sido No Recomendada a Menores, así que promete violencia. Os dejo unas imágenes para abrir boca porque de momento no hay tráiler:

#7 HEAVY METAL (2012)

El hecho de que ponga esta película aquí es curioso porque no sé NADA de su hilo argumental, sin embargo su elenco de directores y la estructuración de la peli ya hace que me entren ganas de verla, os cuento:

Para el que no lo sepa Heavy Metal es una revista de cómics de ciencia ficción en el que en cada número hay diversas historias de distintos autores que tienen como punto común un alto nivel de violencia y erotismo. Pues la peli va a ser eso, distintas historietas de ciencia ficción, erotismo y violencia dirigidas por varios directores. De momento, el equipo con el que cuenta el proyecto es (tomad aire): David Fincher, James Cameron, Jack Black, Mark Osborne y Gore Verbinsky. ¡Ahí es nada! Lo malo es que nos quedan tres años de espera para disfrutarla, paciencia…

#6 ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010)

La obra más conocida de Lewis Carrol es el nuevo proyecto en el que se ha enfrascado Tim Burton, y en él contará con sus dos actores fetiches: Johny Depp, en el papel de Sombrerero Loco, y Helena Bonham Carter, como la Reina de Corazones. Desde mi punto de vista el proyecto le viene a Burton como anillo al dedo, pues todos conocemos sus habilidades en el plano estético y sin duda esta obra está cargada de una gran plasticidad que confío en que el director sepa aprovechar. De momento, y a falta de trailer, aquí unas impresionantes imágenes de la película, disfrutadlas:

Source: Film School Rejects

File this in the “David Fincher is the most awesome guy in Hollywood” category. Considering this film almost didn’t get made at all, I love Fincher’s tenacity and love for this project. Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, recently spoke exclusively with Film School Rejects about Fincher’s version of Heavy Metal.

Eastman’s words (via FSR):

“I’ve got breaking news that Fincher and James Cameron are going to be Co-Executive Producers on the film. Fincher will direct one. Cameron will direct one. Zack Snyder is going to direct one and Gore Verbinski is going to. Mark Osborne and Jack Black from Tenacious D are going to do a comedy segment for the film. Three other directors have agreed but we haven’t signed them, but they’re equally as jaw-dropping. So we’re on cloud nine to be working with such an amazing amount of talent.”

It’s been known for awhile that Verbinski and Snyder were circling the project, but the inclusion of James Cameron makes this one of the coolest films currently in development. They’ve already promised this is gonna be an “R” rated feature, so I’m really interested in what all of these directors bring to the table. It seems like an amazing line-up, though.

From Film School Rejects

   Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reports that James Cameron, Zack Snyder and Gore Verbinski have all signed on to direct segments of Heavy Metal.These are Eastman’s own words:

“I’ve got breaking news that Fincher and James Cameron are going to be Co-Executive Producers on the film. David Fincher will direct one. Cameron will direct one. Zack Snyder is going to direct one and Gore Verbinski is going to. Mark Osborne and Jack Black from Tenacious D are going to do a comedy segment for the film. Three other directors have agreed but we haven’t signed them, but they’re equally as jaw-dropping. So we’re on cloud nine to be working with such an amazing amount of talent.”

Also it’s been reported that Mark Osborne (Kung Fu Panda) would also be directing a segment.

More like this at GoreMaster.com

JAMES CAMERON

Jack Black will also contribute an animated comedy segment. Rob Zombie is or was also in talks to direct a segment.

——-
——-

Heavy Metal, the popular adult comic, and 1981 animated film, is returning to the silver screen.  Co-creator Kevin Eastman gave an update to Rejects, and this is what he said:  I’ve got breaking news that Fincher and James Cameron are going to be Co-Executive Producers on the film. Fincher will direct one. Cameron will direct one. Zack Snyder is going to direct one and Gore Verbinski is going to. Mark Osborne and Jack Black from Tenacious D are going to do a comedy segment for the film. Three other directors have agreed but we haven’t signed them, but they’re equally as jaw-dropping. So we’re on cloud nine to be working with such an amazing amount of talent.”

If this to be believed, the directors of “300″, “Watchmen”, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “Titanic”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean” are all going to do their own segment.  Also, Jack Black?  This is seriously an all-star team they’ve put together.  I haven’t read Heavy Metal, but, if anything, these directors will bring a very unique and interesting approach to their segments.  What do you think?

Lukas Eggen

Title: Kung Fu Panda
Year: 2008
Directors: Mark Osborne & John Stevenson
Writers: Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger; story by Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris
Starring: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim
Music: John Powell, Hans Zimmer
Length: 92 minutes
Synopsis: a slobbish panda is inexplicably chosen as a kung fu warrior/savior
How I saw it: on video (rented from Netflix), January 2009
Subjective Rating: 7/10 (Good)
Objective Rating: 9/10 (1 point off for story) c. 3.1/4 (Very good)

Cute movie. You’re not really missing much if you don’t see it, but it’s fun.

The funny thing is I can buy an obese panda practicing kung fu before I can buy Jack Black doing the same!

Screenplay By: Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger
Directed By: Mark Osborne & John Stevenson

I know that a lot of people tire of hearing terms like mindless fun or turn your brain off entertainment. I’m not willing to go that far with Kung Fu Panda, but it is a fun movie that shouldn’t be taken all that seriously. If the jokes make you laugh, the fights interest you and the animation is to your liking then Kung Fu Panda is a film you should enjoy. I fall into that category, Kung Fu Panda isn’t memorable, it isn’t a must see film, but it was a fun hour and a half and that’s good enough for me.

Yes, I could go into detail about the been there, done that nature of the plot. Or that the story is razor thin, every character lacks depth and that the film in its presentation and message is simplistic to a fault. But, doing so would be missing the point of Kung Fu Panda. It isn’t a perfect movie, but I don’t believe it is trying to be. It wants to be fun, it wants to excite you and it wants to make you laugh. It excels in those three categories and that is why it is able to overcome any areas where it isn’t exactly up to snuff.

The one area where I did become enamored beyond just a fun sense with Kung Fu Panda was in its animation. It isn’t the most detailed animation you will ever see, but it still contains a great amount of detail. What I loved about the animation was the clean feel and look of it. It’s hard to express what I mean, but Kung Fu Panda looked clean. This may have been due to a lack of texture and while most of the time that can be a bad thing, I didn’t find that to be the case with Kung Fu Panda. With the characters, the setting and the fight scenes the clean, unfettered look really did work.

The gist is that if you are looking for a fun movie with an appealing animation style and cool fight scenes then Kung Fu Panda is a movie to see. That’s about as deep as my analysis gets, because I don’t believe Kung Fu Panda goes any deeper than that. I had fun with it, I loved the animation and I found the fight scenes a joy to watch. Kung Fu Panda won’t set the animation world on fire, but it is a fun watch for both child and adult, and anyone who isn’t down with David cross voicing a crane isn’t cool in my book!

Rating:

***

Cheers,
Bill

I just ate. So I’m still digesting. So my kung fu may not be as good as later on.

–Po

Kung Fu Panda is the last of the Best Animated Pictures currently nominated that I did not see yet. I know. I know. Shame on me. Now, I have a clear perspective on what I think should win the Oscar on Sunday. I think this movie should take the little golden guy than WALL-E. It’s my opinion and mine alone.

The story did not drag along. The animation was consistent throughout. No drop in quality. It did not become a parody of itself by the end of the movie.

Po (Jack Black) is a bumbling panda living in the Valley of Peace, running a local noodle shop with his goose father, Mr. Ping (James Hong). Mr. Ping wants Po to take over the noodle shop. Po doesn’t want to be a noodle man. He wants to a kung fu hero like the Furious Five, Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Monkey (Jackie Chan) and Viper (Lucy Liu). Each of the furious five represents every single discipline of kung fu.

In the Jade Temple, where the Furious Five train, Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim), the wise old tortoise summons Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), the red panda teacher of the Furious Five to tell him that Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a snow leopard that betrayed them, will escape from the prison that he’s in for twenty years.

Upon hearing the news, Shifu sends Zeng (Dan Fogler) to the prison that Tai Lung is held to not let Master Oogway’s version come true.

In the meantime, it was time to pick the Dragon Warrior, the warrior that would battle Tai Lung who does escape the prison in an awesome action sequence. Everyone from the Valley gathers in the temple to watch the crowning of the Dragon Warrior.

Under some unusual circumstances, Po is chosen as the Dragon Warrior over the Furious Five by Master Oogway. This actions causes a rift between the warriors. Shifu tries to figure out a way to drive Po out of the way.

Po introduces the audience to the bear style that I haven’t seen before.

This movie teaches people that impossible is possible if you believe in yourself and have determination. Solid movie.

Judgment: If you want to see a movie with a good message, cool action sequences and bad ass kung fu, this movie is for you.

Rating: ****1/2

I’ve decided to reward myself for surviving a terrible day at work with an evening of Kung Fu.  I had no real thought of watching Kung Fu Panda before a friend lent it to me, but it seems like a suitably low key entreé and so I whacked it in the player.  And you know what?  It starts brilliantly.  It’s a bit obvious and blockbustery- well it would be- with the unfunny comedy actor Jack Black giving it all of that “in a time long forgotten” shit that every trailer for every expensive movie ever made has, but the animation is excellent.  It looks amazing, stylish and bold and distinctive.  I wasn’t expecting much at all and then suddenly I was sat there in awe thinking that I could be about to get one of those once-in-a-blue-moon happy accidents that can only happen when my expectations are near zero for something which breathtaking.  I’d even forgotten that Jack Black was in it.  Just consider for a moment how great it looks:

And then this turns out to be a dream sequence and the film switches to that impressive and hyper-detailed but oh-so-fucking boring and lifeless computer generated 3-D bollocks that all Pixar films are made with these days.  I nearly turned off there and then.  But I didn’t, I pressed on regardless.  I hoped that there would be some kind of interesting story.  There isn’t- unlikely hero overcomes self-doubt and an unconquerable enemy to save the village/world/universe may well have been done better elsewhere.  I was hoping for some wit or a film that was clever enough for adults and cute enough for kids.  It isn’t, though it’s certainly cute enough for kids.  If I want to watch an hour of fat jokes and someone looking gormless, I’ll get a Chubby Brown video out (obviously I won’t really- I’d rather watch a puddle evaporate).  And that’s all there is- Po the Panda is fat and clumsy and eats a lot and isn’t very graceful and smashes, rips or breaks everything.  There was probably a fart joke in there too but I can’t remember it.  All of which leaves the film to be rescued by the performances of its stars- and it is certainly a power cast:  Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen and- sticking out like an underpaid English sore thumb- Ian ‘Lovejoy’ McShane.  And, maybe because he’s the only one who has to justify his presence, Lovejoy is the only one who actually shows any dexterity or interest or engagement in the role.  Then again his character the evil Kung Fu expert leopard Tai Lung does have the showiest role and the best dramatic lines, so that’s probably why.

The biggest disappointment of all is Dustin Hoffman.  His performance is so insipid and stilted that you wonder if the script had any direction at all.  Hoffman is another of the De Niro/Pacino mould, resting on his laurels and content to sleepwalk and pick up a paycheck (as I believe that they’re called in the US.  When was the last time he really tried?  Even as far back as Rain Man he was obvious rather than inspired.  Is there anything more tragic than wasted talent?

I’m done.  The title sequence is the great.  Turn it off after that because it’s professional and polished and wank.  1/10

The Oscar nominations were recently released (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/?pn=nominees), and of special interest to me were the nominees for Live Action Short Film.  Congratulations to:

“Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” – Reto Caffi

“Manon on the Asphalt” – Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont

“New Boy” – Steph Green and Tamara Anghie

“The Pig” – Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Hogh

“Spielzeugland (Toyland)” – Jochen Alexander Freydank

The process for being nominated for a short film Oscar is a little bit different than features, since short films rarely get theatrical distribution unless you are one of those cute Pixar shorts that run before the feature.  A short film must first win a film festival that is accredited with the Academy before it even has a chance to be nominated.  For example, the executive producer for “The Bull“, Steve Kalafer, was producer on the short film “More” (dir. Mark Osborne, now of Kung Fu Panda fame) that won the Short Filmmaking Award at Sundance (and other festivals) which allowed it to then be nominated for an Oscar.

I have not been able to find any scenes/trailers/etc. of the nominated films yet but I am curious to see what they look like.  This way I can judge “The Bull” against the best of the best.

With only 5 films picked from all over the world, even very good films don’t make the cut.  I have been recently perusing Chris Jones’ blog; he is an English filmmaker who’s short “Gone Fishing” won the Rhode Island International Film Festival (an Oscar booster) and was shortlisted for the nomination (top 10) but failed to make the top 5.  I did see his trailer and it looked well done, being shot in 35mm.

An interesting note: Chris funded this film by asking every person he knew for 50 quid – roughly equilvalent to $68, if I’m not mistaken – and selling them on the dream of winning the Oscar, which he came very close to doing.  I am more hesitant about selling people on my dream because it is just that, my dream, and if people give me money, I want to be able to give them something in return (a product, a return on an investment, etc.).  This I think is more sustainable.  Winning the Oscar is understandably hard, no matter how good your film is, there could be one that’s even better.

I watched this one with my son.  It’s forgettable but entertaining enough.  Now it is accounted for.

Like a karate chop from a praying mantis, Kung Fu Panda is a bolt from the blue. Filled to the brim with rapid-fire wit, colourful animation, and blazingly entertaining action sequences that many action movies lack, this little animated feature from DreamWorks is the best picture the studio ever put to screen and rivals WALL-E as one of the best drawn pics of 2008.

Directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne, Kung Fu Panda tells the rollicking story of Po (Jack Black), a martial arts-obsessed panda stuck slinging noodles for his goose father. Po, despite having no martial arts skills whatsoever, is fanatical over the Furious Five, a quintet of warriors defending the Valley of Peace from various villains. One day, under the threat of an attack from nemesis Tai Lung (Ian McShane), Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) tells of a Dragon Warrior who will help defend against the brutal snow leopard.

Through a series of hilarious events, Po is named as the Dragon Warrior and it is up to the Furious Five to train him for battle against Tai Lung. Led by Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), the Five put poor pudgy Po through the ringer and are sceptical of his potential as the Dragon Warrior (for good reason!). Eventually, however, Po learns to use the assets he has and, with the help of Shifu, prepares to take on Tai Lung and to save the Valley of Peace.

Sound ridiculous? It is. But oh does it work like a charm! Stevenson and Osborne’s movie rumbles with intensity and sparkles with vivacious colour, each scene exploding with wild energy and craploads of fun. By using innovative colours to reflect the vivacity of China and the Valley of Peace, Kung Fu Panda is bursting at the seams with force and style. The hand-drawn animation sequence at the beginning of the piece is especially arresting, with the Jennifer Yuh Nelson-directed credits sequence opening the tale up beautifully. Other scenes are alarming in their complexity, yet the talented animators make it sizzle.

Black is perfect as the voice behind Po. He is a mile-a-minute and always on fire, lending his entire body to the character. And the other vocal talents are awesome, too. With Hoffman as Shifu, Angelina Jolie as Master Tigress, Seth Rogen as Master Mantis, Lucy Liu as Master Viper, Jackie Chan as Master Monkey, and David Cross as Master Crane, the Furious Five are an interesting set of characters that continue to enchant long after the credits have rolled. Ian McShane is spot-on as the villainous Tai Lung.

Not only does Kung Fu Panda sparkle with colour and impeccable voice talents, but it knows what it’s doing as a film. Dead right in terms of timing and plot developments, this is as clearly structured a story as an animated film has seen in years. The plot isn’t a kung fu movie satire, as would have been the easy way to go, but rather unfolds like an action comedy. It uses its action well, presenting overblown scenes like the fight on the bridge with broad lines and an enormous scope. Everything runs on time and according to plan, providing a lean and mean final product on the screen.

For a flick with heart, action, and copious amounts of good-natured humour, Kung Fu Panda is one of 2008’s best. Rivalled only by WALL-E for sheer beauty and vibrancy, this is one animated feature that DreamWorks will have a tough time following.

9.2/10

Trailer:

El otro día vi (por fin) la película “Kung Fu Panda”, y me gustó bastante. Que queréis que os diga, a mí me parece la mejor película de animación del 2008, detrás de Wall-E (a todos nos encantó la historia de este pequeño y adorable robot). Pues bien, uno de los directores de “Kung Fu Panda”, es Mark Osborne. Una persona que ha trabajado en “Bob Esponja”, y que hizo un corto de animación llamado “More” en 1998.

“More” narra la historia de un pobre hombre, que vive en una triste ciudad en blanco y negro. Él trabaja en una empresa, bajo las órdenes de un estricto jefe. Pero una buena noche, recordando los días de su infancia, decide hacer un invento, para cambiar un poco, su triste y desoladora vida. El invento consiste, en una especie de gafas, que a través de sus lentes, permiten ver a quién las tenga puestas, una visión totalmente distinta del mundo real: Un mundo realmente divertido, lleno de colores vivos y alegres. Aquí tenéis el susodicho corto, ¡disfrutarlo!:

Si lo habéis visto ya, que sepáis que esta maravilla de cortometraje fue realizado con la técnica del stop-motion, y con guión del propio Mark Osborne (y de muchas personas más). Fue nominado al Oscar en 1999, y aunque no ganó, este corto si recibió numerosos premios por aquella época. Además, desde que se estrenó, muchos críticos se han arriesgado a decir que “More” es uno de los mejores cortos de animación jamás hechos, y la verdad es que yo también opino lo mismo: “More” es una obra maestra de 6 minutos de duración.

Para quién lo quiera saber, la música que suena en “More” es el tema “Elegia” de New Order. Un tema instrumental, que acompaña de manera magistral, la narración del cortometraje animado.

Y bueno, esta es mi manera de despedir este año amiguetes. Nos vemos en el 2009, si una lluvia de meteoritos de colosales proporciones, no acaba con la existencia humana. Por otro lado, si eso ocurre, no os preocupéis, Ramón García nos salvará del desastre destruyendo todos los meteoritos con su magnifica e increíble capa..¡Feliz año 2009 majetes!

Un film del 2008, regia di Mark Osborne, con Jack Black / Jackie Chan / Dustin Hoffman / Lucy Liu. Prodotto da Universal Pictures (88min)

Animazione / Azione / Commedia / Ragazzi

Ingenuo, ingombrante e un po’ maldestro, il panda Po è un grande fan delle arti marziali, ma la cosa non gli è granché utile nel lavoro quotidiano nella bottega di famiglia. Inaspettatamente prescelto come l’oggetto di un’antica profezia, Po riesce a entrare a far parte del mondo dei suoi idoli, i leggendari Furious Five, campioni di Kung Fu: Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper e Monkey, che sono guidati dal loro guru, il Maestro Shifu. Nel frattempo, la grave minaccia rappresentata dal leopardo delle nevi Tai Lung si sta inesorabilmente avvicinando…