Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in the Kung Fu Panda Franchise

In a world populated by animals, it’s no coincidence that five of the most fearsome kung fu warriors are a tiger, a crane, a monkey, a viper, and a mantis. Each member represents a different animal style in Chinese martial arts, although the Furious Five deviates slightly from the traditional “Five Forms.” While Tiger, Crane, and Snake are among the main styles in Ng Ying Kung Fu, Monkey and Mantis serve as alternatives for Leopard and Dragon. “Kung Fu Panda” still cleverly works this into the plot with antagonist Tai Lung being a snow leopard and his name translates to “Great Dragon” in Cantonese. Of course, it’s Po who proves himself to be the Dragon Warrior. A yes, Bear is also an animal style.

No, we’re not talking about the infamous chicken or the egg debate. Another DreamWorks movie already covered that. When we first met Mr. Ping and Po, kids might not have asked how a goose can bring a panda into the world. Adults did, however. Roger Ebert even made that the headline of his review for the sequel, which reveals why Po and Mr. Ping don’t exactly look alike. Before Mr. Ping addresses the elephant - or panda - in the room, he tries to tip-toe around Po’s question with a lesson on goose anatomy. While Mr. Ping explains that geese lay eggs, he spares Po the specifics of where the egg comes out. Cheeky jokes aside, the film handles adoption in a surprisingly mature, touching way.

Grand Master Oogway is full of knowledge with some tidbits of wisdom being even more insightful than you might initially realize. An early example is when Oogway tells Master Shifu, “One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it.” It might sound like something from a fortune cookie, but Oogway actually foretells the future with this layered line. After Oogway has a vision that Tai Lung is coming back, Shifu sends a messenger bird to increase security. This decision inadvertently sets off a chain reaction with Tai Lung using the messenger’s feather to free himself. By trying to prevent Tai Lung’s escape, Shifu instead released him. In doing so, Shifu and Po are put on the path to destiny. There truly are no accidents, as Oogway would say.

Po might have some prognostic powers as well. This is established in the first film’s opening when Po dreams about joining the Furious Five and becoming a legendary warrior. This comes to fruition by the film’s conclusion, but Po’s dream reaches further. Fitting since Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who directed the first film’s opening, went on to helm “Kung Fu Panda 2.” The dream culminates in Po and his new allies facing an army of wolves. In the first sequel, the villainous peacock Lord Shen commands a wolf army. A bull that Po takes by the horns also resembles Kai from “Kung Fu Panda 3.” When Po awakens from his dream, there’s a sketch of a bull on the wall, again hinting at his future adversary.

Po comes across several new warriors in Gongmen City. This includes Master Croc, voiced by Jean-Claude Van Damme. If there’s one thing that this martial artist turned actor is known for, it’s doing the splits. Even as an animated crocodile, Van Damme’s signature move can’t be avoided. Joining the final fight, Croc makes an epic entrance by performing a perfect split. Longtime fans of The Muscles from Brussels will appreciate this subtle detail, but it’ll likely serve as an introduction for kids. Now that they’ve seen “Kung Fu Panda 2,” the kids are ready to watch Van Damme perform more splits in “Bloodsport,” “Timecop,” and, of course, that 2013 Volvo commercial. We bet Po could do that too if an almond cookie was in reach.

The “Kung Pu Panda” movies are staked with top-tier voice talent with some actors coming from martial arts backgrounds. Lucy Liu, who voices Master Viper, grew up studying kali-eskrima-silat. Michelle Yeoh, the voice of Soothsayer, has been performing her own stunts for over 30 years. Arguably the franchise’s most iconic martial arts star is Jackie Chan, who voices Master Monkey. For such a big name, Chan has surprisingly few lines throughout the series. Kids probably won’t see the irony in this, although adults are surely thinking, “Man, it must’ve been a quick day in the recording booth for Jackie.” They’d be correct! For the first film, it’s been said that Chan recorded his lines in just five hours. That includes the Mandarin and Cantonese dubs!

If you thought that Po touching upon his tenders was explicit, just wait until the third movie. Arriving in the Panda Village, Po and his adoptive father are bombarded with questions. The panda cubs are especially curious about Mr. Ping’s physical features, from his beak to what lies below the apron. When Mr. Ping brings up his “dumplings,” adults are inclined to ask, “Wait, do birds even have… ?” Before you can complete that question, we quickly see that Mr. Ping was talking about the literal dumplings by his feet. This reveal keeps the film in PG territory, but just barely. And for those curious about the goose reproduction system, they do have bean-shaped “dumplings” within the body cavity, creating spermatozoa and male hormones. Fascinating!

The title might be a little silly, but you can tell that the filmmakers possess a serious love for kung fu. A few moments even echo classic martial arts movies. 1979’s “The Fearless Hyena” stars Jackie Chan as Shing Lung. In one of the film’s most colorful fights, Shing Lung attempts to chow down while his master blocks every bite with a pair of chopsticks. This mix of action, slapstick, and cuisine mirrors Po and Shifu’s chopstick battle. Po’s story also shares similarities to 1978’s “Circle of Iron,” in which a martial arts tournament is held to see who is worthy of possessing the Book of Enlightenment. Like the Dragon Scroll, the book contains no words. Only the reader’s reflection, revealing where enlightenment comes from.

Seth Rogen rose to fame playing Cal in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” In “Kung Fu Panda 2,” Rogen’s Mantis finds himself dealing with the same issue as Steve Carell’s Andy… kind of. Sensing the end is near, Mantis expresses regret that he never settled down with a girl… who could eat his head. It’s slightly less gross than it sounds. When mantises mate, it’s not uncommon for the female to bite into the male’s head. The female might not always consume her mate’s head. Once she goes for the head, though, it’s hard to thwart the chemistry at work. The male doesn’t need a head to finish anyway. Since Mantis still has his head, it’s safe to say he’s never experienced “sexual cannibalism,” as it’s called.

Late parents are par for the course in animated movies, but Po’s mother is just one victim in an even larger tragedy. Believing that a panda will bring about his downfall, Lord Shen aspires to wipe out the entire species. Watching Shen execute his devious plan, it’s hard for adults not to think of ethnic cleansing and genocide. Po thankfully isn’t the only panda who survives, but what’s left of his species is forced to live in hiding. This serves as a blunt reminder that giant pandas have been considered endangered species, although their status was changed to “vulnerable” in 2016. While kids and adults can see that Shen is evil, only older audiences will recognize the real-world monsters he resembles.

What things did you pick up on as an older viewer? Let us know in the comments.