Kung Fu Panda (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Hans Zimmer & John Powell
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Album Review
Composers Hans Zimmer and John Powell infuse the score for Dreamworks' 2008 animated comedy-adventure Kung Fu Panda with plenty of semi-traditional Asian motifs and instrumentation, resulting in an enjoyable — if entirely predictable — soundtrack that deals out clichés like candy on Halloween. The opening track introduces the "Hero" theme, a wistful flute-led melody that sounds nearly identical to Howard Shore's "Hobbit" theme from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. What follows is largely orchestral, with bursts of tribal percussion and the occasional dance number. The soundtrack closes with star Jack Black and Cee-Lo Green performing "Kung Fu Fighting," a song whose inclusion is apparently mandatory for every film, commercial, or skit ever made involving Asian culture.
Recent Customer Reviews
Awesome Movie!! Great Soundtrack!!
by Brother EnglishI'm a big Hans Zimmer and John Powell fan, and their collaboration here is outstanding.
The best tracks here which recur throughout the movie and capture the essence of the story are:
Oogway Ascends
Sacred Pool of Tears
Peach Tree of Wisdom is also great, and is a little more upbeat
Highly recommend the movie - a great story, great cast, and great soundtrack. Enjoy!!
Charming
by AniRemiFirst, a rant: Look, people, quit whining about how it doesn't measure up to soundtracks like "Lord of the Rings" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" on the epic scale. It's not supposed to, for goodness sake, it's a kid's movie. The soundtrack should be appreciated in its own right, not endlessly compared to the soundtracks for PG-and-up rated blockbusters.
Now - the best word for this soundtrack is "charming." I found it exactly as heartwarming and entertaining as the movie itself. Is it authentic Asian music? No. Is it the greatest soundtrack I've ever heard? No. I didn't come to this CD expecting it to be either. However, for me, this soundtrack succeeds where others have failed - it resonates emotionally. It never fails to make me smile or sigh. Actually, the track "Oogway Ascends" still makes me cry after 30 plays - it's almost devastingly heartbreaking and beautiful.
Would I recommend this album? If you can get your head out of the "SOUNDTRACKS MUST BE EPIC" box and appreciate the music in its own right, then you may find a new favorite album.
I just love this music. so there.
by Warrior_of_RiverClanI've always loved Chinese music, plus this is my favorite movie ever and I actually take Kung Fu, so combined, this makes a pretty dang good soundtrack. Buy it if you like Chinese-style music!
Biography
Born: September 12, 1957 in Frankfurt, Germany
Genre: Soundtrack
Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s
Top Albums and Songs by Hans Zimmer & John Powell
- $11.99
- Genres: Soundtrack, Music, Original Score
- Released: Jun 03, 2008
- ℗ 2008 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.
