FAMILY WEEKEND MOVIE @ SM CINEMAS ON AUG. 20 AND 21 FEATURES “SAMMY 2: ESCAPE FROM PARADISE”

SM Cinemas’ featured movie for their monthly Family Movie Day this August 20 and 21 features two lovable turtles in “Sammy 2: Escape from Paradise.”
In this new film, the animals are captured to be specimens in a huge aquarium in a theme park. Captured and held captive in a state-of-the-art underwater restaurant-aquarium somewhere in the Middle East, Sammy and Ray devise an ingenious plan to free everyone and get back to their families.

“Sammy 2:Escape from Paradise” is directed by Ben Stassen, noted for using other specialist cinematographic techniques such as Showscan, Iwerks, VistaVision and whose first feature film “Fly Me to the Moon,” is the first animated feature completely produced in 3D relief.

Stassen shares the challenges on working on a limited budget for the movie, but has achieved a visual wonder in “Sammy 2: Escape from Paradise.” “The biggest challenge for a shoot like SAMMY 2, where you have to be efficient whilst respecting the constraints of the budget, is to ensure that the information regarding the film and its different elements circulates in a fluid way between departments. In fact, whatever film you’re working on – live action, TV series or documentary – you are dealing with an extremely fragmented process. But this is even more the case for a feature-length animation. It is complicated because there are huge amounts of data that have to go from one team to another, and there are several stages to validate before you get the final result. In all, it’s around two years of work,” says Stassen.

His co-director Vincent Kesteloot, further enthuses on the characters’ continued journey. “What I liked was how Ben Stassen’s story managed to preserve the charm of the heroes of the first film, “Sammy’s Adventures,” whilst taking a different direction in the second. In this new film, the animals are captured to be specimens in a huge aquarium in a theme park. We still have the variety of different sets as we did in in the first, but the story structure is no longer that of an odyssey. Our heroes no longer have to abandon each new character they meet on their travels. This allows one to widen out the characters and observe how they evolve. This second chapter introduces many more new appealing and powerful characters and a whole new generation of turtles!”

SM Cinema Family Movie Day aims to encourage families to dedicate a time for bonding with each other by bringing back the Filipino’s classic habit of weekend-movie-watching with the family at the cinema. Treating families to a day of fun activities, freebies, and an exclusive family movie where kids will get to watch for “Sammy 2: Escape from Paradise” for free, tickets are now available online at www.smcinema.com or call 470-222. Follow SM Cinema on twitter and Instagram @SM_Cinema or like SM Cinema on Facebook (/SMCinema) for more information.

CrystalSky Multimedia: “SAMMY 2: ESCAPE FROM PARADISE” [G]

EXCLUSIVE AT SM CINEMAS FAMILY MOVIE DAY ON AUGUST 20 AND 21

Based on an original story by Ben Stassen and Domonic Paris, “Sammy 2: Escape from Paradise” sees Sammy and Rey, leatherback turtles and friends forever, enjoying the water and sand, shepherding new hatchlings Ricky and Ella out to sea. Suddenly, a poacher swoops in and ships them off to be part of a spectacular aquarium show for tourists in Dubai. Trapped in The Tank, an underwater aquarium, they must hatch a plan to escape and reunite with their grandkids, Ricky and Ella, and protect them from the dangers of the ocean. But they’ll have to get past Big D and his dopey thugs first. With the help of some unlikely friends, Sammy and Ray fin that when you work together, anything is possible!

“Sammy 2: Escape From Paradise” from CrystalSky Multimedia will be exclusively featured at SM Cinemas’ Family Movie Day on August 20 and 21.



A monthly bonding event, SM Cinema’s Family Movie Day invites all families to spend an unforgettable, fun-filled weekend at the movies. Families are encouraged to purchase two (2) tickets to the family movie of the month and two (2) kids get to watch for free. The family movie day kit includes one free bowling game, a one-hour skating pass, a one-month subscription to Blink, and other perks from Pancake House, Nivea Men, and other brand affiliates, patrons will also have access to a kids’ corner, full of different games and activities that children will surely enjoy.

Book your tickets online at www.smcinema.com or call 470-222. Follow SM Cinema on twitter and Instagram @SM_Cinema or like SM Cinema on Facebook (SMCinema) for more information. Check and follow CrystalSkyMultimedia on Facebook and at Intagram.



Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qIRQEACDXs

20th Century Fox - PINOY/CEBU-BORN GALEN TAN CHU IS CO-DIRECTOR IN BLUE SKY’S “ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE” [PG]

Cebu-born Galen Tan Chu helms the latest instalment of the global “Ice Age” hit franchise - “Ice Age: Collision Course” as co-director with acclaimed filmmaker Michael Thurmeier.

Galen Tan Chu spent his early (11) years in the Philippines before migrating to the US where he studied illustration and animation at Pratt Institute. Chu is a true veteran of the “Ice Age” franchise and Blue Sky Studios, having started his career at Blue Sky Studios as an animator on “Ice Age” (2002). He then became a lead animator on Blue Sky's second animated feature “Robots” (2005). On “Ice Age: The Meltdown” (2006), he was promoted to supervising animator and then served as supervising animator on “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!” (2008), “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” (2009), “Rio” (2011) and “Epic” (2013). He also directed the direct-to-DVD short “Surviving Sid” (2008).

Audiences everywhere love the Ice Age films, one of the biggest animated motion picture series in the world. Each new story increases the stakes, scale, adventure, humor and heart—making “Ice Age: Collision Course” the biggest and most ambitious film of the series. Propelling audiences to new environments, like the cosmos and a crystallized world known as Geotopia, this is the defining chapter in the Ice Age “chillogy,” with many of the characters beginning new journeys. 

“Ice Age: Collision Course” sees Scrat playing pinball with the planets chasing his elusive acorn, he creates the ultimate Scrat-aclysm, sending the mother of all asteroids hurtling toward Earth. Again, Scrat’s misadventures have life- and world-changing consequences for our sub-zero heroes on the ground. At the same time, there are earth-shaking events of an entirely different nature playing out for the gang. Manny and Ellie’s daughter Peaches is getting married, and to Manny that’s as unwanted a development as an asteroid landing in his backyard.

Cebuano Galen Tan Chu co-directs ICE AGE COLLISION COURSE

Jennifer Llopez as Shira

Ray Romano as Manny

“Ice Age: Collision Course” sees Manny’s world changing—and he’s not happy about it. Peaches has dropped a bombshell on her parents, and, says co-director Galen Tan Chu: “Manny sees that as a threat. She’s not only getting married, she and her soon-to-be hubby Julian are moving away to begin their lives as a couple.”

Indeed, the” Ice Age” films are also love stories: Manny has Ellie, Peaches has Julian, Diego has Shira. Even the crazy brotherly bond between daredevils Crash and Eddie is a kind of love story. But what about Sid the sloth? For Sid, romantic love has proven elusive, if not impossible.

It’s not that Sid isn’t deserving of finding that special sloth. As Thurmeier points out, “If Manny is the emotional core of the Ice Age films, then Sid is the comic conscience. He has a good heart, and, as we saw in the first film, he was instrumental in bringing the herd together and was the one who cracked Manny’s tough exterior.” And it’s not that Sid isn’t interested in romance; as Chu notes, Sid “wears his heart on his sleeve.”

Reflecting on the franchise’s global central theme, Galen Tan Chu notes, “What strikes a chord for audiences around the world is that the members of the herd look out for each other. They’ve grown up together as this family, and people really connect to that journey.”

“Ice Age: Collision Course” opens July 6 in cinemas (2D and 3D) from 

20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

From CrystalSky Multimedia - SM CINEMAS’ FAMILY MOVIE DAY FEATURING HEARTWARMING “PINOCCHIO” ON JULY 2 & 3

SM Cinema is treating families to a day of fun activities, freebies, and an exclusive family movie where kids will get to watch for free on July 2 and 3.

The SM Cinema Family Movie Day invites all families to spend an unforgettable, fun-filled weekend with a complimentary movie for the kids. By purchasing two (2) tickets to the family movie of the month, two (2) kids will get to watch for free. The family movie day kit includes one (1) free bowling game, one hour skating pass, one-month subscription to Blink, and other perks from Pancake House, Nivea Men, and other brand affiliates Patrons will also have access to a kids’ corner, full of different games and activities that children will surely enjoy.

SM Cinema aims to encourage families to dedicate a time for bonding with each other by bringing back the Filipino’s classic habit of weekend-movie-watching with the family at the cinema. The SM Cinema Family Movie Day will begin with its debut feature film “Pinocchio” on July 2 and 3 and will occur monthly in SM branches nationwide.

From CrystalSky Multimedia, the latest adaptation of the classic “Pinocchio” finds poor old toymaker Geppetto who carves a a piece of pinewood into a puppet, which he names Pinocchio. Geppetto is delighted when his puppet suddenly comes to life, but Pinocchio is full of reckless whims and wild ideas. Before long, his crazy escapades cause considerable damage in the village, causing big problems for Geppetto – who loses his temper with his "son". Pinocchio runs away from home and winds up in a series of madcap adventures: He meets the puppeteer Mangiafuoco, who almost throws him into the fi re; he is tricked by two petty gangsters, the Fox and the Cat; he is abducted and transformed into a donkey by an evil coachman – and then sold to a circus-owner, who wants to turn him into salami. Meanwhile, Geppetto is searching desperately for Pinocchio, and ends up being swallowed by a whale. But at the end of a long, adventurous journey, Pinocchio – having learned how to be considerate and courageous – manages to rescue his "father" from the whale and become a real boy.

20th Century Fox: SCRATASTROPHIC CHILLOGY CONTINUES IN “ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE” ON JULY 6 IN CINEMAS

In the latest epic family movie adventure “Ice Age: Collision Course” from the highly successful “Ice Age” franchise, audiences worldwide will be propelled to new environments like the cosmos and a crystallized world known as Geotopia, with many of the characters beginning their own new journeys. 

Scrat is, of course, one character that never changes. In “Ice Age: Collision Course” he continues his pursuit of the cursed acorn. But this time Scrat’s quest is taking him where no Ice Age character has gone before—the cosmos—where the consequences of his antics are nothing short of “Scrat-tastrophic.” Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe, where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age world. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, as they travel to exotic new lands and encounter a host of colorful new characters.

In this film, Scrat drives the story, instead of merely providing comic relief to the main story of the herd. And it’s about time. Scrat is literally at every major moment in the history of the natural world. He ushered in the Ice Age, started the Meltdown, unleashed the Lost World of the Dinosaurs into the Ice Age, started the separation of the continents—and now, he’s triggered a series of cosmic disasters that threaten the Ice Age world. “In this film, Scrat is pretty much responsible for the expansion of the universe as we know it,” notes Forte. “It’s his version of the Big Bang.”

Director Michael Thurmeier embraced the opportunity to find a unique environment—and catastrophes—for the cherished acorn-chaser. “I see so much potential with what you can do with Scrat,” he notes. “He’s become a true classic animated character. Scrat never stops persevering, no matter what happens to him.”

The filmmakers’ new path for Scrat also presents fresh obstacles to overcome. This time, he must deal with gravitational forces, otherworldly technology, and the infinite mysteries of the cosmos.

The new film’s story is deeply rooted in the mythology of the original Ice Age. Producer Lori Forte, who has been with the franchise since its inception, and whose ideas have sparked several of the films’ stories, explains: “In the first film, there was a scene where the herd passes through a kind of ice ‘museum,’ where we see a prehistoric fish, a dinosaur, the evolution of Sid, and then a spacecraft or flying saucer. “We always recognized that the spaceship was intriguing and knew there was some kind of mythology attached to it that we’d someday explore, but at that time we didn’t know exactly what it was,” she continues. “So we decided the time was right to come back around to that piece of Ice Age, and sowed the seeds for Collision Course.”

Another connection to the original film—and to its subsequent chapters—is the herd’s relatable family dynamics, which provide heart and emotion, and complement the comedy and adventure. But like most families, the herd must adapt to a world that’s always in flux. “We take our family of characters further than we’ve seen them before,” says Forte.

“Ice Age: Collision Course” brings an all-star voice cast with returning and new herd members led by Ray Romano as the voice of Manny the Mammoth, John Leguizamo as Sid, Dennis Leary as Diego, Queen Latifah as Ellie, Jennifer Lopez as Shira, Adam Devine as Julian, Jessie J as Brooke, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Shangri-llama, Josh Peck as Eddie, Simon Pegg as Buck, Sean William Scott as Crash and Wanda Sykes as Granny.

 

“Ice Age: Collision Course” opens in cinemas (2D and 3D) on July 6 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

INTERGALACTIC ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY IN “RATCHET AND CLANK” from OctoArts Films International

The latest out-of-this-world family movie “Ratchet and Clank” stars Award winning Sylvester Stallone along with a talented voice cast including Paul Giamatti, John Goodman, Bella Thorne, Rosario Dawson, Jim Ward, James Taylor and David Kaye. 

In “Ratchet and Clank,” two unlikely heroes struggle to stop a vile villain named Chairman Drek from destroying every planet in the Solana Galaxy. Ratchet is the last of his kind, a foolhardy “Lombax” who has grown up alone on a backwater planet with no family of his own. Clank is a pint-sized robot with more brains than brawn. When the two stumble upon a dangerous weapon capable of destroying entire planets, they must join forces with a team of colorful heroes called the Galactic Rangers in order to save the galaxy. Along the way, the will learn about heroism, friendship, and the importance of discovering one’s own identity.

Ratchet, voiced by James Taylor, is the only Lombax anyone has ever seen. A typical impulsive teenager, Ratchet is a gifted mechanic and quite acrobatic. When danger calls he prefers to jump in feet first and to figure things out as he goes. His confidence always leads him into trouble but his quick reflexes and agile mind get him out of it most of the time.He is a bit of a loner, not wanting to rely on anyone but himself. However, he is extremely loyal to friends that he has. Over the course of the film, he comes to consider Clank his one true ally and closest friend.

 

His true friend, Clank, voiced by David Kaye, is the personification of innocent book smart. He is a living computer filled with tons of data that he accesses freely. However, he has only lived in the universe for a short time and retains a lot of the child-like curiosity one would expect from a creature only days old. Clank’s strongest traits are his sense of morality and his heart of gold. He knows right from wrong and will go to any lengths to ensure justice is served. However, he doesn’s just jump in with both feet – he is cautious and mindful, using his considerable powers of reason to form a plan of attack first. In this sense, he is Ratchet’s opposite.

Bella Thorne, who rose to prominence in the television series “Shake It Up” and starred in memorable teen movies such as “The Duff,” “Perfect High” and “Frenemies” lends her voice to Cora in “Ratchet and Clank,” a very tough, competitive and driven Galactic ranger. Though she’s in her teens, her maturity is way beyond her age and that of every other Galactic Ranger (with Clank’s exception). A no-nonsense teen, she has little or no time for humor or childishness but cares deeply for her teammates once they’ve earned her respect.

Family adventure starts in cinemas nationwide when “Ratchet and Clank” opens on May 26 (Thursday) from OctoArts Films International.

PLAYSTATION’S ICONIC “RATCHET AND CLANK” NOW A MOVIE TO OPEN IN LOCAL CINEMAS ON MAY 26

One of the long-running PlayStation video game series of all time, “Ratchet and Clank” steps out of the console and springs to life in a CG-animated movie of the same title that will open on May 25 in local cinemas nationwide.

 

 

“Ratchet and Clank” is based on the iconic PlayStation video game where two unlikely heroes Ratchet (voiced by James Arnold Taylor) and Clank (David Kaye) struggle to stop a vile villain named Chairman Drek (Paul Giamatti) from destroying every planet in the Solana Galaxy. Ratchet is the last of his kind, a foolhardy “Lombax” who has grown up alone on a backwater planet with no family of his own. Clank is a pint-sized robot with more brains than brawn. When the two stumble upon a dangerous weapon capable of destroying entire planets, they must join forces with a team of colourful heroes called the Galactic Rangers in order to save the galaxy. Along the way, the will learn about heroism, friendship, and the importance of discovering one’s own identity.

 

 

 The movie also features the voices of John Goodman as Grimroth, Bella Thorne as Cora, Rosario Dawson as Elaris, Jim Ward as Captain Qwark, and Sylvester Stallone as Victor Von Ion. 

Ratchet, having crash landed on Veldin as an infant, grew up alone and used his well earned street smarts to keep himself alive. Grimroth, a local ship mechanic, took Ratchet in and employs him on his garage. Ratchet has a tough exterior but also has the heart of a dreamer and feels he is destined for great things in the universe.

Born out of a Zoni-aided warbot factory malfunction, Clank is the personification of innocent book smart. He is a living computer filled with tons of data that he accesses freely. However, he has only lived in the universe for a short time and retains a lot of the child-like curiosity one would expect from a creature only days old.

Directed by Kevin Munroe, who studied animation and began his career in the games industry and whose recent directorial job was that of 2007’s reboot of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” says he’s remained true to the source material when it comes to making “Ratchet and Clank.”

"My whole approach to it has been, If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Ratchet was one of the first games where you actually wanted to watch and you would get a laugh out of the cut-scenes. I think there's a lot of feeling, especially with video games, that you have to go in and reinvent a lot of stuff," shared Munroe. 

 

Game on when “Ratchet and Clank” opens May 26 (Thursday) in cinemas from OctoArts Films International

Captive Cinema brings the adventures of ‘Savva: A Warrior’s Tail’ in cinemas!

From Gregory Poirier, the writer of The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride and National Treasure: Book of Secrets, A Warrior’s Tail is as heart-warming, thrilling and imaginative as they come and is a family adventure for all ages.


Nine-year old Savva lives with his mum in a small village in a forest once protected by a pack of regal white wolves. When the wolves leave under mysterious circumstances the village is left at constant risk of attack from ruthless hyenas and only a powerful magician can help. Escaping the hyenas in search of the magician, Savva finds himself in a magical world he had only heard stories of, meeting a host of new friends who are also seeking the magician, including the white wolf Angee, the hilarious Puffy and a very odd mosquito; all of whom must evade a treacherous simian army led by the evil Mum JoZee on their path overcoming the forces of evil and reclaiming Savva’s village.

Features vocal talent including Milla Jovovich, Whoopi Goldberg, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci.

“Savva: A Warrior’s Tail” is released and distributed by CAPTIVE CINEMA

SHOWING IN CINEMAS ON JUNE 22, NATIONWIDE

RETURNING AND NEW CAST IN DREAMWORKS’ ACTION-PACKED ANIMATION “KUNG FU PANDA 3”

One of the most successful animated franchises in the world returns with its biggest comedy adventure yet, “Kung Fu Panda 3” that will open March 9 nationwide (2D, 3D and IMAX 3D screens). The film marks the return of the plump black-and-white bear who has only one aspiration – to become an expert in a martial art that requires agility, mental prowess and lightning-fast reflexes. It was a formidable, if not impossible quest. But then Po doesn’t know the word “impossible.” He’s always striving to be the best he can be…to be his own hero.
As Po attempts to instruct his idols – Tigress, Monkey, Viper, Crane and Mantis – in the finer points of kung fu, chaos reigns in the Training Hall, a place of discipline, honor and sacred practice. Po’s cluelessness as a teacher reminds us of the character we met and fell and love with in KUNG FU PANDA.

Before heading on to watch the most anticipated family outing of the year, let’s review and meet returning and new characters and cast in “Kung Fu Panda 3.”


PO (Jack Black). Plucked from his duties as the apprentice noodle maker at his dad’s shop, Po is now the legendary Dragon Warrior, and he’s already saved the world a few times. But despite all the adulation, Po is the same humble panda.
SHIFU (Dustin Hoffman). Kung Fu master Shifu is very good at his job as trainer to the “best of the best” Kung Fu warriors in all of China. He’s a strict, difficult to please teacher who pushes his students ever harder to achieve the achievement of unachievable perfection.



OOGWAY (Randall Duk Kim). This warrior and spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace dedicated his life to protecting the small and vulnerable. Though he has moved on from our realm, he has left his Kung Fu legacy in the trusted hands of Shifu, Po and The Five.
TIGRESS (Angelina Jolie Pitt). Master Tigress is the strongest and boldest of the Furious Five. But underneath her stoic, iron-jawed (and iron-hand, and iron-feet, pretty much iron-everything) exterior is a warm compassion that others seldom see.

VIPER (Lucy Liu).
Master Viper is the “mother hen” of the group. But don’t let her gentle nature fool you. Viper is a lightning fast warrior capable of taking down the most intimidating foe.



MONKEY (Jackie Chan). Mischievous, playful and enthusiastic, Master Monkey likes a good joke, but his easy-going attitude masks cunning martial arts ability. Monkey is an unpredictable prankster who is as fierce as he is clever and funny.



CRANE (David Cross). Master Crane is the pragmatist of the group. He'll try to avoid a fight if at all possible, but if he can't avoid it, Crane will do everything he can to win it.



MANTIS (Seth Rogen). Master Mantis may be the smallest of the Five, but he'd never admit it. The little guy has a textbook Napoleon complex: strong, fast and tiny, he possesses a mean temper and is ready to “throw down” at the slightest insult.

MR. PING (James Hong).  Mr. Ping may have lost his best, and only, employee to kung fu greatness, but he couldn’t be more proud of his panda son, Po. Like any parent left at home, Mr. Ping worries about being forgotten.

LI (Bryan Cranston). Think about who Po would be if the discipline of Kung Fu had never entered his life – and that’s Li. Po’s old man is a loud exuberant party loving panda always out for a good time, whether that’s eating and napping or napping and eating.
MEI MEI (Kate Hudson). In a village of easy going pandas who would literally rather roll than walk, Mei Mei stands out as a rare, results-oriented panda. Once she sets her mind on something, she’ll get it no matter what.



KAI (J.K. Simmons). Long ago, the fearsome and power-hungry warrior Kai found a way to take chi from others, until he was banished to the Spirit Realm for all eternity. Now, Kai has returned to earth, where his appetite for power and revenge leads to an incredible showdown and battle with Po.

“Kung Fu Panda 3” opens March 9 in cinemas (2D, 3D and IMAX 3D) nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

PO BECOMES TEACHER OF THE FURIOUS FIVE IN “KUNG FU PANDA 3"

The student is now a teacher in “Kung Fu Panda 3” where Po (voiced by Jack Black), the dragon warrior had been tasked by their master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) to take on the responsibility of further training the Furious Five. As Po faces the insurmountable challenge of training his idols, the “best of the best” Kung Fu warriors in all of China – Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), Crane (David Cross) and Mantis (Seth Rogen), he then meets his biological father Li Chan who made his way to the Valley of Peace looking for his long lost son. 

“Kung Fu Panda 3” brings Po in full circle as he continues his evolution as a hero, leaving his comfort zone to become a teacher and finally become the Panda he was meant to be - bringing together his biological family and his kung fu family to become a master of the past and the future.

As Po attempts to instruct his idols – Tigress, Monkey, Viper, Crane and Mantis – in the finer points of kung fu, chaos reigns in the Training Hall, a place of discipline, honor and sacred practice. “The Five have become positive and optimistic about their friend Po, but they have serious doubts about his abilities as a teacher. And for good reason!” says Lucy Lui.

According to Jack Black, who once again voices the iconic role, that scene points to the fact that “Po is no Shifu, let’s be honest. He’s freaking out and doesn’t think he’s up to these new responsibilities, which are weighing him down even more than the countless dumplings he consumes.”

It is Shifu who first recognized and channeled Po’s passion for kung fu, and, now, once again pushing Po to the next level, insists he become a teacher. “Shifu knows Po must face the challenge of becoming a teacher, but he also knows it’s not going to be easy,” says producer Melissa Cobb.

Short of stature and, sometimes, of patience, Shifu is a fun and complex character. Oscar® winner Dustin Hoffman returns to voice the role, to which he brings four decades of experience as one of the world’s great actors, as well as world-class comedy chops.


Unlike Shifu, the Furious Five have serious doubts about Po’s ability to teach kung fu. These protectors of the Valley of Peace take their art form very seriously and have always had the best-of-the-best instructor – Shifu – keep a weather eye on them. Now, they have to take instruction…from Po?

The victims of Po’s instruction are Monkey (voiced by the legendary Jackie Chan), whose mischievous and playful nature masks a cunning martial arts ability; Crane (David Cross), the pragmatist of the group; Mantis (Seth Rogen), the smallest and most temperamental of the Five; Viper (Lucy Liu), the team’s “mother hen”; and Tigress, the strongest and boldest of the Furious Five.

Po’s cluelessness as a teacher reminds us of the character we met and fell and love with in KUNG FU PANDA. Po has no bigger fans than the filmmakers who have brought him to life. Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who’s been with Po from the very beginning of his journey, notes: “The trait I love most about Po is his boundless enthusiasm. It’s a pleasure to spend time with Po, because he’s just so passionate about everything.”


“The fact that he discovers what makes him special and uses that to become the best he can be, is also something we can all identify with,” Yuh Nelson continues. “Everybody wants to learn what makes them unique and to use that information to become a better person. I think that’s great for kids and adults to hear – and it’s important for us, the filmmakers, because we certainly don’t fit into any kind of mold!”

“Kung Fu Panda’s” theme of being the best you, you can be, clearly resonates with Jolie Pitt. “It’s telling us we don’t need to emulate others; we should focus on who you are and your personal growth,” she explains. “That’s relatable to everyone. We’re always trying to find our best selves and our center.”



“Kung Fu Panda 3” opens March 9 in cinemas (2D, 3D and IMAX 3D) nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

“KUNG FU PANDA 3” SNEAK PREVIEWS ON FEBRUARY 29 AND MARCH 1

Invading cinemas earlier than expected, “Kung Fu Panda 3” will have sneak previews (whole day) on February 29 (Monday) and March 1 (Tuesday) nationwide in the Philippines, in 2D and 3D screens.

The latest and third installment in the global phenomenal franchise, “Kung Fu Panda 3” ruled the US box-office for weeks and is tracking almost US$200 million to-date. The latest kick-ass and hyper-action family-oriented animation brings back Jack Black as the loveable Po along with the Furious Five, Tigress (voiced by Angelina Jolie Pitt), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross) and Monkey (Jackie Chan) with their Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) who now brings the franchise into full-swing action mode as he takes on to be the Furious Five’s master.

Po, considered as the Dragon Warrior is now tasked by Master Shifu to take on the role of being the teacher to the Furious Five, a task Po is not so ready to take on, not initially at least. Making the transition from student to teacher isn’t the only upheaval in Po’s life. His long-lost biological father, Li Chan, has made his way to the Valley of Peace and to an emotional and hilarious reunion with Po. Acclaimed “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston joins the franchise to lend his voice to Li.



Meanwhile, Po and the Furious Five have yet to encounter their ultimate nemesis, Kai (voiced by J.K. Simmons), once brothers-in-arms with Po’s father figure mentor Oogway (Randall Duk Kim), the ancient tortoise who now lives in the spirit realm. In the Spirit Realm, Kai has taken the chi from thousands of masters, collecting them as jade amulets on his belt. With this accumulated power, he defeats Oogway, breaks free from the Spirit Realm, and arrives on Earth. The only one who can defeat Kai is a master of chi, and the only teachers of chi are pandas – or so Li tells Po.

Black embraced the opportunity to revisit one of his most treasured movie characters and found it easy to reclaim his inner-Dragon Warrior. “I just go back to a younger me, when I was starting my career,” he explains. “That’s how I see Po – as young lover of kung fu. My love was rock and roll and acting, but Po and I share that unreserved passion. I, too, was a young Dragon Warrior,” he jokes.

“Kung Fu Panda 3” kicks in full blast in cinemas on its regular opening day on March 9 in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D screens nationwide from DreamWorks Animation and 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.