Toon Zone Talkback - "Kung Fu Panda" Success in China Triggers Introspection and Questions

[Gracie D.]

This is the talkback thread for "Kung Fu Panda" Success in China Triggers Introspection and Questions.

Okay, never thought Kung Fu Panda would actually have that affect on a nation of people.

 

[Rafaela]

This is great, I'm glad its doing other places too
Its just such a good film.

 

[Giri D]

Whatever brings about increase on creativity in media, I don't care how it happens or where.

 

[Faur]

Amen to that!

 

[gareth robinson]

This is the official talkback for LA Times on China's Reaction to "Kung Fu Panda".

This is now the third of several articles I've seen about this, but this is the first one that actually digs into reasons why Kung Fu Panda wouldn't have been made in China. It seems that China likes their heroes completely square and flawless, so a lot of scripts about heroes that are lazy, slovenly, or not exactly shining paragons of moral virtue just don't make it past studio execs. It's essentially the "think about the children" argument, but for an entire nation.

I think the little anecdote in there about the animated shorts with the Beijing Olympic mascots is rather telling as well.

-- Ed

 

[Potatonator]

What a fascinating story. Thanks for sharing it, Ed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/w..._r=2&ref=weekinreview&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

"Dragon Bell"? Could they have meant "Dragon Ball"?

 

[nascarfever_88]

So if you collect all seven bells, do you get to summon the Eternal Cow?

 

[ing.matt]

When you live under a quasi-totalitarian regime, exessive creativity isn't exactly a prime survival trait.

 

[RealEstate]

Brilliant! You've solved the mystery. Clearly they're referring to the Hindi Bollywood remake.

 

[Soul-Unleashed]

Oh that SO explains why G1 Optimus Prime is that popular in China. That does make me curious how would China take to Avatar.