What we flagged
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Our take
Kung Fu Panda is a funny animated martial-arts adventure about an unlikely hero learning to believe in himself. Kung fu fights are frequent but bloodless, while a threatening snow leopard and his intense prison escape may scare younger children. There is little else for parents to flag. We put it at around 10 and up, with a parent nearby if the villain feels too frightening.
Uplifting themes
A lovely thread runs through the film about believing in yourself, working hard, and the idea that there is no secret shortcut to greatness. It rewards persistence and being true to who you are Po grows from doubting himself into someone brave and determined, and his mentor learns to believe in him too. There is real warmth in how the characters come to support each other The story leans on Chinese culture, kung fu tradition and ideas about discipline and self-belief, which can prompt nice conversations. It carries that lightly inside the comedy
Story (may spoil tone)
Chosen by prophecy but doubted by all, Po is an unlikely choice for the mystical title of the Dragon Warrior—a clumsy panda thrust into the world of kung fu as a deadly enemy threatens the Valley of Peace. Under reluctant guidance by Master Shifu and the Furious Five, Po must embrace who he is to unlock the power that no scroll can teach.
Details
Violence Kung fu fighting runs right through the film, from training sparring to…
Kung fu fighting runs right through the film, from training sparring to a big showdown with the villain. It is fast, frequent and fantasy-style, with comic bumps and no blood or real injury. The sheer amount of fighting is the main thing to weigh
Frightening The villain, a powerful snow leopard, is genuinely menacing, and his es…
The villain, a powerful snow leopard, is genuinely menacing, and his escape from a deep prison is loud and intense. A couple of the fights carry real threat. Smaller children may find him a bit scary
Bullying / discrimination Po is teased and doubted for being overweight and clumsy, and plenty of…
Po is teased and doubted for being overweight and clumsy, and plenty of characters write him off early on. The film pushes back and turns that into a strength, but the mockery is there at the start
Gore / death / weapons The warriors use swords, blades and other weapons during the fights, ha…
The warriors use swords, blades and other weapons during the fights, handled in a cartoonish way. There are no wounds or blood shown, so the weapon content stays very mild
Dangerous behaviour The frequent kung fu moves may tempt younger children to try them on on…
The frequent kung fu moves may tempt younger children to try them on one another. The fights are fantasy, but play-fighting may follow a watch
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
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Talk after watching
- Po is told he is the wrong shape to be a hero. How does the film answer that?
- Master Shifu almost gives up on Po. What changed his mind, and what does that teach us?
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Kung Fu Panda
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