It is a rare occasion when I watch a movie from beginning to end, through the end credits and to the snippet at the end, and still feel that it was totally worth my time. This is a show chock full of meaning, if one has the patience and inclination to go understand it. I am fairly amazed that Dreamworks managed to squeeze a zero body count (apart from the dream sequence) into a humorous story that can really get one thinking.
There’s something so unique about the show that I must comment about it: The screen never blacked out during the credits. The entire credits sequence had proper artwork for background. Now that’s pretty unique, considering even other animations often simply present the audience with a blank screen covered in credits.
That aside, I’d call this a coming of age story, whereby our intrepid panda decides to better himself and truly find out what his life is about. It was a nice touch that he defeated the ultra-violent snow leopard with largely nonviolent maneuvers. There are other themes like ascension, self-reflexivity, destiny and the ability to see beyond the surface.
I also loved the epic fight sequences, along with the equally epic but hilarious food duel. The production team sure knew how to get their drama down pat, well-laced with humor. The character development was well paced, and epiphanies strategically located.
Overall, I would give this animation a rare 9/10. I could’ve pushed for a 9.5, but unfortunately, even the well-implemented life lessons were quite typical. It can turn out to be a rather trite fable, if one is really used to this kinda stuff.
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