The marketing for KUNG FU PANDA 3 thus far has been focused on Bryan Cranston’s role as Po’s father, but here, we’re seeing that there’s more to it than that; there’s a whole village of pandas, who need to learn Po’s magical kung-fu ways when a J.K. Simmons-voiced villain takes out four of the Furious Five.
There don’t seem to be a lot of strong jokes or striking visuals on display here, but this is clearly a trailer aimed at kids, and not the wuxia fans that have responded surprisingly well to the Ancient Chinese elements of this franchise. Simmons sounds funny though, at least as good as Gary Oldman’s peacock in 2 if not Ian McShane’s leopard. Also, pay attention for Rebel Wilson as a nunchaku-brandishing female panda (rival to Tigress for Po’s affections?).
The dad stuff is what most intrigues me here, as it involves both James Hong and Cranston’s characters in a big way, and I’m always down to see how spirituality and high-minded philosophy end up playing a part in these narratives. This is an easy series to stand behind (I’m sure there’s a fat joke in there somewhere), and it looks like this might be another fun, lively, occasionally laugh-inducing time at the movies.
But man, did they really have to sideline the Furious Five again? Is that really they only way they can generate high stakes?
KUNG FU PANDA 3 skidooshes on January 29th, 2016.
