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Reel World Reality A ministry of the ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP Ministry) A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Christian Ministry. www.capalert.com/ Entertainment Media Analysis Report A service to His little ones through you in His name by His Word MAR2011.156  (2011), PG [13-PG*] (80.8min) The #1 Christian entertainment media analysis service on the Internet. We give you OBJECTIVE tools NO ONE ELSE CAN to help YOU make an informed decision for yourself whether a film is fit for your family. Over 1300 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
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(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 Production (US): DreamWorks Distribution (US): DreamWorks Home Entertainment Director(s): Jennifer Yuh Nelson Producer(s): Melissa Cobb, Suzanne Buirgy, Jonathan Abel, Glenn Berger Written by: Jonathan Abel, Glenn Berger Music: Hans Zimmer, John Powell Film Editing: Claire Knight Casting: Leslee Feldman Production Design: Raymond Zibach Art Direction: tan Kheng Heng Viewed on DreamWorks Home Entertainment DVD If you have seen the 2008 version of Kung Fu Panda  Shen (voice of Gary Oldman), son of the rulers of Congmen City in China, chose the dark path. The peacocks who ruled the City discovered fireworks that brought color and joy to the lives of the Congmen City residents but Shen saw darker power in the fireworks. Shen's parents consulted a soothsayer who told them that if Shen continued on the dark path he chose a warrior of black and white would defeat Shen. Shen's malcontent attitude led him to try to change that fate by laying waste to a panda village. His horrified parents banished Shen from Congmen City. In retaliation Chen swore revenge: that one day he would return and all of China would bow to his feet. Shen amasses forces and resources to build his secret weapon that belches fire and spits metal. From there we meet the warrior of black and white who, while being encouraged by the Furious Five kung fu team, is calling on all his training and prowess to stuff 40 bean buns in his mouth. Our fearless and powerful warrior of black and white is none other than Xiao Po Ping, a.k.a. Po (voice of Jack Black), son of master noodle, soup and tofu chef, Mr. Ping (voice of James Hong). After succeeding in stuffing 40 bean buns in his mouth Po answers a calling from Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) to learn the next phase of Po's training: inner peace, one of Master Oogway's final teachings. While preparing to learn inner peace, Tigeress (Angelina Jolie) of the Furious Five arrives to alert Po to the approach of bandits to the Musician's Village. From there, the story launches into Po's war with Shen. And I will stop spoiling the story here. Following are brief discussions of the content per individual content investigation area. As always the Findings section of this report, the heart of the CAP Analysis Model, is the best source for discovering the full accounting of the content of this film. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - Zero out of 100 This film is heavy with violence, typically in the form of action violence including martial arts violence. In terms of magnitude or total envelope this film is equivalent to many R-rated films in violence. Rather than trying to summarize such intense content here I refer you to the listing in the Findings section. But I will share with you God's Word about violence. it is apropos that I do. Or at least that someone does. God provides many admonishments against violence. I will use Proverb 16:29 to make the point. In Proverb 16:29 God warns us that violence is "catching": that violence can lead one, particularly youth, into "the way that is not good." In addition, hundreds of years after God gave us His warning man has plagiarized God's Word by four professional public health agencies publishing findings which warn that, among other things, viewing violence in and as entertainment can lead the observer, especially youth, to real life violence and can lead the viewer to believe violence is an acceptable way to settle conflict. Impudence/Hate (I) - 71 out of 100 As before in Kung Fu Panda (2008) Sexual Immorality (S) - 100 out of 100 There was nothing sexually immoral found in the entire 80.8 minutes of the program. Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 100 out of 100 Neither were there any possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, tobacco or abuse of prescription drugs found. Offense to God (O) - 63 out of 100 Though it may have been (or is) acceptable to some cultures and/or peoples to seek and practice evil "magic" it is not now nor ever has been acceptable to God. This film demonstrates consulting a soothsayer to foretell the future and reveal the past in visions. Deuteronomy 18:9 - 12 makes such practice sinful. And it does seem a little odd that the writers would have the soothsayer, the character with unholy powers, as a goat. Maybe there is some subliminal connection of it with the goathead, also known as the god of witches, the Goat of Mendes, Baphomet and the horned god. See GOATHEAD in our Back to School Special The film also often portrays seeking vengeance and revenge. [Rom. 12:19] Vengeance is not ours to be had. One character calls another a "fool." [Matt. 5:22] And acupuncture is used to heal Po. The yin-yang is displayed frequently. Though the yin-yang, which is of Chinese origin, is used profusely for innocuous purposes it is also used by evil interests. See our Back to School Special On a positive note, God's name was not used in vain even once. Murder/Suicide (M) - 63 out of 100 Four murders. One of Po's mother by wolves. Two by cannonfire. And Shen murdered one of his hench-wolves by blade for not obeying a command. SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ] or bold. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page. CHAPTER/VERSE --> Children who see a lot of violence are more likely to view violence as an effective way of settling conflicts. Children exposed to violence are more likely to assume the acts of violence are acceptable behavior. --> Viewing violence can lead to emotional desensitization towards violence in real life. It can decease the likelihood that one will take action on behalf of a victim when violence occurs. --> Entertainment violence feeds a perception that the world is a violent and mean place. Viewing violence increases fear of becoming a victim of violence, with a resultant increase in self-protective behavior and a mistrust of others. --> Viewing violence may lead to real life violence. Children exposed to violent programming at a young age have a higher tendency for violent and aggressive behavior later in life than children who are not so exposed. Further, God speaks darkly of violence 56 times in the Old and New Testament of the KJV.] oo abomination [to`ebah {to-ay-baw'}: a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable; wickedness] oo divination [qecem {keh'-sem}: witchcraft, false prophets] oo observer of times [anan {aw-nan'}: soothsayer, sorceress, enchanter (one who practices divination), to make appear, control weather, conjurer, spiritism, unholy magic] oo witch [kashaph {kaw-shaf'}: sorcerer, soceress, one who practices unholy magic] oo charmer [chabar {khaw-bar'}: to unite, join, bind together with charms (voodoo)] oo consulter with familiar spirits [owb {obe}: necromancer, one who evokes/communicates with the dead; ghost, spirit of a dead one; one who has a familiar spirit] oo wizard [yidd@`oniy {yid-deh-o-nee'}: one who has a familiar spirit; a familiar spirit; soothsayer; necromancer] [God sounds so serious about embracing evil that it seems He would include embracing evil even in and as entertainment since it has been proven in so many ways that entertainment can and does influence deeply and contaminate values. Even God agrees with that. (see 1 Cor. 15:33).] As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie. |
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(The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)   Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - Zero out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - 71 out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - 100 out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 100 out of 100 Offense to God (O) - 63 out of 100 Murder/Suicide (M) - 63 out of 100 |
| There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings. |
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| For G rated Films with G equivalence: G PG equivalence: PG-G PG-13 equivalence: 13-G R equivalence: R-G< | For PG rated Films with G equivalence: G-PG PG equivalence: PG PG-13 equivalence: 13-PG R equivalence: R-PG | For PG-13 rated Films with G equivalence: G-13 PG equivalence: PG(13) PG-13 equivalence: PG-13 R equivalence: R-13 | For R rated Films with G equivalence: G-R PG equivalence: PG-R PG-13 equivalence: 13-R R equivalence: R | For NR rated Films with G equivalence: G-NR PG equivalence: PG-NR PG-13 equivalence: 13-NR R equivalence: R-NR |
