This series will stimulate your mind. A lot of time and effort went into getting particular details correct about Chinese culture. On the other hand, and in my opinion, to its detriment, the series builds on old, old Asian stereotypes. Director Jennifer Yuh pulls them out of her pocket at every turn without a second's thought. The characters are either extremely wise and profound or foolish and stupid. They can cross from stupid to wise if just told the right things at the right time. Nothing too profound, just the usual "you must find yourself" kind of thing.


However, nobody seems to mind Asians being portrayed as deep and wise, apparently least of all the Asians (you don't hear many protests about that, do you?), so you just go along with the ride.


This is a smash-hit franchise, so you can't go wrong with it. Personally, I'm a grouch who prefers the old-style films that aren't just built around one-joke characterizations like this, but one must go with the new and out with the old. The settings start to seem the same after a while from film to film, with a heavy emphasis on red, orange, white and black, or very washed-out blues and greens. For current, computer-generated animation films, though, this series has some of the best. You won't be embarrassed by fart noises and the like when you put this in front of your child.


If you do want this, get it along with the first "Kung Fu Panda" film: that will double your - and your child's - fun.


2020