Loved Kung Fu Panda. I actually am a fan of DreamWorks Animation’s style when they are on their game. I thought Over The Hedge was great as well.
Only problem I have is immediately after the box office numbers were in and it was obvious this was going to make a lot of money, Katzenberg says that they have plans to make four sequels. Good jeez Jeffrey. Can’t you relax a little and let the directors of this movie have some control over it? Don’t kill that golden goose yet.
I thought Kung Fu Panda was alright, the hype was too much though. I like DreamWork’s style too, but Pixar does it way better. Basically, Pixar uses the more cartoony style DreamWorks uses a lot with shorts, which i think is a better choice. And I was disgusted when i heard Jeffrey Katzenberg say there would be 6 sequels! Geez, DreamWorks, calm down with the unnecessary sequels!!
Yeah… I guess that’s an issue with DreamWorks, they don’t know when enough is enough.
Because frankly, I thought the credits were epilogue enough and the ending was very nicely wrapped up.
Maybe I could tolerate a sequel, but 6?
i know right just make it a tv show (theyll earn $$ off it and thats all they care ) 
As much as I liked the film (still say it’s DW/PDI’s best) as a franchise, I don’t think it has the legs for sequels. That said, Shrek 2 improved on Shrek, though I’m pretty sure Shrek 3 did irreparable damage to the Shrek brand, at least as far as the movies are concerned.
With respect to character design, I know where you’re coming from, but I rather like some of their characters. I will say Pixar’s are generally more complete to my eyes, without bad angles (something Brad Bird has mentioned).
One thing I noticed in KFP (and in Over the Hedge for that matter), is the rendering of lips. I don’t know how to place it, something just seemed off to me. Anyone else?
I actually think Panda has the best “legs” for sequels. There are quite a few untold stories that can be explored. For instance, go into each of the characters of the furious five. How about Tai Lung’s story arc? I’m sure they can produce much better sequels than the Shrek franchise did because the story is self-contained and doesn’t rely on pop culture.
Of course, that is if Katzenberg doesn’t rush the sequels and lets the writers and directors do their thing the right way. Just let it happen naturally man. Don’t kill it like you did Shrek 3.
I just typed in ‘Kung Fu Panda sequel’ into Google, and by the looks of things, there probably will be at least one sequel, if not more.
What is wrong with Dreamworks? Seriously. Why do they insist on practically killing all of their good characters? The third Shrek movie was so, SO painful to watch, especially as the characters that I had enjoyed in the first film suddenly seemed pathetic and unrealistic.
And the same will probably happen with Kung Fu Panda’s sequels. I’m pleased that Dreamworks has managed to make a good quality film aside from Shrek, and by the sounds of things, the good reviews and the high amount of money it’s earning is justified. But the second, third, even fourth Kung Fu Panda will just ruin things.
Just goes to show that even when Dreamworks do manage to make an original success, they’re still all about the money and not about the movie.
thank u for agreeing with me about shrek 3. it was painful.
Ahh jeez. I’ve been meaning to see that movie since it’s release! Mostly because I actually take Kung-Fu, and I found it ironic… So I convinced myself that I HAD to go see it. I hope it’s good! 
Thankfully, I’m going to wait until it’s in the cheaper theatre, so when I go see it, I’ll see it free! (cause I have these free movie ticket things) 
Well, I think that Shrek could have produced some more interesting storylines as well. Why did Fiona get locked up in the first place, for example?
But that an the example you gave you be prequels, which I doubt Dreamworks would go in the direction of, if only because Po would still be a noodle-folk during all of that.
Nah, what will probably happen is that Shifu is getting old/dying. Po is gonna become the master of the kung fu people, some new villain is popping up, and the Five are angry because they didn’t get picked as the master/Po is annoying 
I’m taking bets!
Yep. A sequel to Kung Fu Panda is actually happening. groan (Although, the original blog seems to have been edited to omit this.)
Does Dreamworks really not have a conscience that tells them “You know, maybe we should think up more original ideas, instead of bleeding every single past success dry…?” I guess not. What makes them think anyone would want to sit through six sequels?
KFP could probably have several sequels like Shrek and like they’re planning for Madagascar.
Not saying the sequels will be any good, though.
Kids will
What we have to realize is that we’re all at least 13-14, and animation purists. We don’t want to see a series milked because we like it for what it is. However, kids, who aren’t necessarily watching the movie in the same sort of “This is art” view that we do but rather watch it in a “Pandas are funny” view, will eat up sequels.
We’re not the target audience! We’re at least ten years older than the target audience. It’s no question that Shrek 4/5, Madagascar 2, and Kung Fu Panda 2 will rake in big bucks at the box office.
It’s the clever road trip dilemma. You are your family are driving across the US and are hungry. You see two signs, a sign for McDonalds, and a sign for Down Home Country Cooking (Voted best in the state!). You’re obviously going to go to McDonalds if only because of the familiarity. You know that you’ll walk out full, and although the food might not have been stellar, it served its purpose and you can continue on with your life.
Not to mention that it is easier to make a sequel. You already have the main characters modeled, you don’t have to worry about casting voice actors, thinking up another story is as simple as throwing the characters in another situation, it’s all pretty much the same. This way, Dreamworks can accomplish their goal of keeping at least one of their movies on the “Now Playing” list almost year round. A family that goes up to buy tickets will watch the animated/cartoon movie if they have young children, and Dreamworks it working to cater that.
That said, I still detest them
Excellent Point, Pixelated.
Oh, thank goodness. Goodness knows I want to see more of Master Shifu… (snigger)
Although I am pretty much against sequels in general, Pixelated does have a point. DreamWorks tends to cater to the audience a good percentage of the time, occasionally rolling out an original feature to spice up the salad every now and again. It’s disappointing and, in their case, predictable, but at least they manage to roll out a decent feature once in a while (namely when Mr. Katzenberg is absent from the set…).
Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing a second installment of Kung Fu Panda, as long as the plot-line is kept solid and the characters remain endearing. Heck, I’m going to see Madagascar’s sequel purely for King Julien alone (which is extremely rare in my case).
– Mitch
I have yet to see Kung Fu Panda, so until I see it, I’ll wait and decide if I want to see a sequel or not.
Sure Shrek could have produced more interesting storylines - but what made the first one so great was the fact that it was the first that relied on pop culture gags and really satirical references to known fairy tale references like Little Mermaid, etc. The problem with the sequels were they were starting to feel like one of those Wayans brothers spoof movies. Basically relied on people knowing what the references to other famous movies were to get the joke.
The conundrum here is, if they go away from this, there’s a risk that the movie will not feel like the original Shrek - which was so good at this kind of humor.
The solution? NO MORE SHREK SEQUELS. Let it die already.
Kung Fu Panda on the other hand is a good self-contained story. There is less danger of it feeling stale as long as the Dreamworks executives let the directors do their jobs right.
the sequels will be better than the Shrek sequels most likely.
I don’t really like any of DreamWorks Animated movies.
But I thought this one was okay.
~~ JOHN•E
I definitely agree. The only DW movie i thoguth was an A+ was Madagascar.
KFP: B.