Kung-Fu Panda-- the artbook!

[furtech]

I was pleasantly surprised by Kung Fu Panda: contrary to the ads, the film had a good story and was not just fat jokes and Black-goofing. The designs were good and the backgrounds gorgeous (worth seeing this in a theater just to get the full effect of the backgrounds). Story-wise, KFP reminded me a lot of Mulan (in terms of pacing and theme); the action is great, but owes a lot to " Kung Fu Hustle " (a LOT, actually...most of KFP's action looks lifted directly from KFH).

I was slightly disappointed that there were so few bad guys: the video game based on this film has ninja wolves, big cats, crocodiles, etc. In the film they only appear in the dream sequence and end credits (which are worth watching just for all the art they put behind the credits.

I bought the art book in hopes that early character concepts would be included and I wasn't disappointed! If ever there was a must-have book this year, The Art of Kung Fu Panda is that book! Oh, my ghod! Fantastic stuff!

As I suspected, there were a large number of characters/character designs in early drafts: sheep and goat villagers; a bunch of thugs , including gazelles, *wolves* and big cats ( ninja snow leopards!! ) in Tai Lung's gang (an evil army that was dropped); and of course, tons of pandas! (<--just for you, Jen!)

Although Tai-Lung's design was appropriate for the film, I'm agog over some of his early concept designs:



At the other end of the spectrum-- as if Tai-Lung's baby pics weren't cute enough:



And there's a lovely early design for Master Tigress

Amazon has the book on sale (with free shipping!), so go grab a copy!

Comments

[renniefox.livejournal.com]

Baby Tai-Lung tooooo cute! Must. Get. Book. Now!

[fatkraken.livejournal.com]

wow that looks great. And some of the designs are enormously, temptingly build-able

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Yes! I just wish I had the build to pull off the alternate Tai-Lung! The book is full of great designs!

[fatkraken.livejournal.com]

that's what skinny friends are for :D

[kime-requiem.livejournal.com]

I'd be all over that suit X3 If I could get my chest outta the way, I'd have the build XP Oh the downfalls of being a chick.

[fatkraken.livejournal.com]

you can hide tits in a decent set of foam pecs. The suit would be a bit more buildt, but could still look decent

on a related note, I found a UK supplier of open cel pond filter foam. gonna have a play with it for my Kimahri body suit

[kime-requiem.livejournal.com]

Actually, I've got links to sites where I can order shirts that'll flatten a chick right out (via the fursuit community actually). I'm looking to get one after AC if things go well. Anyway... Do share how the filter foam works out. Could be interesting :3

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Cool-- you found a source of reticulated foam in the UK? That stuff is wonderful: very forgiving when carving and breathable. If you use this in conjunction with any breathing-material (like antron fleece), you'll notice a huge difference in heat dispersion (still be warm/hot, but noticeably less so than with regular foam and fur).

[ruggels.livejournal.com]

I will have to get that book eventually. Lots of good designs. and I may have to see the movie again.

Looks like there will be a Kung Fu Hustle Two! Loved the first one.

(I think I have it ion DVD packed away somewhere.) anyway, the News.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kung_fu_hustle/news/1646663/chow_puts_his_second_andquothustleandquot_on_hold

[laragoth.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's some niftiness :D

I have too many ideerz already!

(and Tai Lung reminds me of The Cat, especially the second shot where he is more orange).

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Seeing either of those alternate designs doing flying martial arts stuff would cause me to explode. I can see why they went with the designs they used, but these alternates are Hannibal-Lecter-level *evil*!

[was1.livejournal.com]

That looks like a neat book to get. From some of the pages I've seen of it, I like how some of the little character doodles remind me of Richard Scarey's work. It's the way the facial expressions are drawn, like the OMG cute baby Tai-Lung pic from above.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I can see the Scarey look-- I was thinking Kay Nielsen when I first saw them. In fact, most of the concept artists remind me a LOT of the styles that were popular in the 50's.

[gilmorelion.livejournal.com]

Man, I was ALL OVER this book as soon as I found out it existed! I can't wait for my copy to arrive!
(Finally! A movie with a hero built like me!) Woot!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I could finally make a fat suit! Usually I spend all my time doing the opposite...

[waynekaa.livejournal.com]

So is this your pick for the team in 2009?

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I didn't think I got a pick yet...(it's usually Henry's until the girls make gooey eyes at him). The only problem (besides the above) is that by next year KFP will be old news. And we don't have a venue yet. But working the builds of the AGSMA crew into full-costumes: woo! Plus, fat characters for me! (Rhino or title char)

[waynekaa.livejournal.com]

Very true. Get the text I sent? Secure 2 backstage for me and the second.

[dustmeat.livejournal.com]

That film was a pleasant surprise indeed.

[brokkentwolf.livejournal.com]

See, that could have been us a full six months before the movie. :)

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Yes and no...I'm all excited about KFP because of the characterizations and story. The Aero Squad, for instance, didn't ignite a flame in me until I came up with a back story for each character.

The trouble with the Asian set was that I didn't have time to get excited about them before the con. You can ask the AGSMA crew how long it sometimes takes me before I get excited about some group sets (*cough*FMA*cough*Yu-Gi-Oh*cough*). And we usually start that almost a year before the con!

[tsukinobara.livejournal.com]

I ADORE Tai Lung's early concept on the right-hand side.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

You would make an *excellent* Tai Lung!!

[vulpesrex.livejournal.com]

I went to see this movie myself, this week - and was absolutely delighted! IN SPITE of the trailers and the production promotional hype as "Jack Black's movie, KUNG FU PANDA" - which of course leads preospective audiences to expect the character and story to revolve around a thinly disguised Jack Black - I was impressed with the mood of the thing, as set up from the modified DREAMWORKS presentation logo, all the way through to the last poignant scene under the sacred peach tree, after the credits literally scrolled off.

I am probably the only person in Roseville who saw that; I have had ushers try to shoo me out of a theater after the credits started rolling, and after everyone else has left the house, and I have explained to the theater staff that I'm from Burbank - and you WATCH the credits through all 1200 names or so, because you might see the name of a neighbor or friend who works in the industry, and that 10 seconds where their name streams past on the screen is the only recognition and glory that they will receive for their contribution, and you can tell them the next day that you saw "their" movie.

...And I don't really get a chance to SHARE that with anybody up here; my co-workers are not the sort who would really understand a grown man watching a cartoon - particularly one with so few explosions and no car chases - and I haven't quite figured out just what it is about the Sacramento Furries ("SacFurs") that makes them a group; they seem mostly to be angsty teens and recent ex-teens, who don an animal persona to a greater or lesser degree, simply to be part of the group. I'm trying to find a common interest that I might share.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I don't mind Black, but I was glad this wasn't just a vehicle for him.

The Dreamworks logo set-up was the good sign that a lot of care went into this film. Hope they make more like this!

Yeah-- people outside of SoCal just don't get watching the credits!

[auryanne.livejournal.com]

I'd heard the same about it, I am going to check it out now. I liked "Over the Hedge" a fair amount and this sounds even better. That artwork is incredible though, thanks for sharing it!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Definitely check out the book after you see the film! You'll love some of the early concept art! Amazon is having a sale on the book, with free shipping!

[kyyanno.livejournal.com]

Oh....WOW! Just....Wow! =^.^=

Shere Khan just got booted one spot down the list of my favourite Feline characters :D

fatkraken, if you feel like doing either of the Tai Lung concepts, let me know :P

[fatkraken.livejournal.com]

I don't think either of us have the build :/ if you can find a skinny buddy to wear the thing I'd be up for having a go, maybe Spunky would wear it?

[kyyanno.livejournal.com]

I know I don't have the build for it ( :( ), but I reckon Spunky probably wouldn't say no :P


Edit: Mind you, you could certainly pull off the film version =^.^=

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Which Spunky? Is there a UK one?

[spunkywulf.livejournal.com]

If they mean me, I'd be the smallest Tai Lung ever. I could play Baby Tai Lung perhaps XD

[missmonstermel.livejournal.com]

can't wait to pick this up today :D I just saw it last night and was delighted!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

The film was a happy surprise and the book totally made my day!

[skorzy.livejournal.com]

What I found really interesting about the villagers were.. they were all species that are commonly on Chinese menus. :)

I break with others saying I did not like the design of either Tigress or Tai-Lung. Tigress looked like an inflatable pool toy at times, and Tai Lung's face was just.. weird. The design illos of him are MUCH more interesting!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Yeah-- in many instances I prefer some of the different/earlier designs a LOT more. To me, the early Tai Lung's (above) looked more menacing than the muscle-bound version they went with. I always thought that the skinnier martial artists looked more deadly in action (probably from seeing Bruce Lee in action).

I did think that the design and voice-acting of Master Crane was just *perfect*. Loved his character!

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Ah yesh... I must git dat!

Indeedy, a friend of mine pointed out the deaqrth of canines in the screenplay... :/
(otherwise quite good) ^v^

[furtech.livejournal.com]

More canines or other ungulates (or horses) would have been a huge improvement (IMO). Still, I'm so glad they put this book out!

[albrecht-fur.livejournal.com]

I know, I don't even think that it's out over here yet, but that book is just fantastic.
Picked up a copy myself the other day and was most impressed, definately makes me want to go see it.

[eosfoxx.livejournal.com]

great hint!
thank you ö.ö

[spunkywulf.livejournal.com]

I loved the movie so much I've seen it 3 times thus far... and will happily attend a 4th showing if I could :D The character designs are brilliant... I was gifted the book for my birthday by a friend, and couldn't put it down, it was all so beautiful. I'm so utterly 100% pleased with this film and its designs, which is incredibly rare with movies these days, for me at least. SUPER thumbs up!