History Awesome / KungFuPanda

** Considering his age, its only natural he gets one more in a flashback; when he first develops this world's entire concept of Kung Fu at the Pool of Sacred Tears. Its the only time you get to see him ''briefly'' (and we do mean ''briefly'', its only for a few short seconds) at his prime.

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film has one of these ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail and using it to pick the lock, breaking his manacles free with the aid of the ballista bolts (even though they are CALLED crossbows) being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. [[http://youtu.be/5p_KM8E3tlg WIN.]]

** The high point of that fight is when Po finishes Tai Lung with [[spoiler: The Wuxi finger-hold]]:

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film has one of these ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail and using it to pick the lock, breaking his manacles free with the aid of the ballista bolts (even though they are CALLED crossbows) being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os5wI6zIFEM WIN.]]

** Especially since a ''single'' petal is enough to unbalance the scroll. Plus Shifu's look of relief when he catches it just above the pool makes you wonder what devastating booby-traps might have been activated if it fell in.

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film has one of these ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail and using it to pick the locking device ''by sound'', breaking his manacles free with the aid of the ballista bolts (even though they are CALLED crossbows) being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os5wI6zIFEM WIN.]]

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film has one of these ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail, breaking his manacles free with the aid of the ballista bolts (even though they are CALLED crossbows) being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os5wI6zIFEM WIN.]]

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film has one of these ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail, breaking his manacles free with the aid of the ballista bolts (even though they are CALLED crossbows) being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI53DLnjO8A WIN.]]

* Master Oogway gets his CMOA in flashback, where he [[spoiler:takes down a rampaging Tai Lung with a BulletTime nerve strike ''pattern''. That turtle was apparently blindingly fast to pull that kind of precision ''multiple'' nerve strike with just one hand.]]

* At the end of the "dumpling scene," Po gives the dumpling back to Shifu. (ItMakesSenseInContext.)

* Master Oogway gets his CMOA in flashback, where he [[spoiler:takes down a rampaging Tai Lung with a BulletTime nerve strike ''pattern''. That turtle was apparently blindingly fast to pull that kind of precision ''multiple'' nerve strike.]]

** Considering his age, its only natural he gets one more in a flashback; when he first develops this world's entire concept of Kung Fu at the Sacred Pool of Tears. Its the only time you get to see him ''briefly'' (and we do mean ''briefly'', its only for a few short seconds) at his prime.

** The high point of that fight for me is when Po finishes Tai Lung with [[spoiler: The Wuxi finger-hold]]:

* At the end of the "dumpling scene," Po gives the dumpling back to Shifu. (I realize that to somebody who hasn't seen it there is no possible way that that could be a CrowningMomentOfAwesome: just trust that ItMakesSenseInContext.)

** Special recognition must go to Tai Lung's Theme (or more accurately the theme for Shifu and Tai Lung). First heard played by Shifu on his flute, it gets continual and awesome renderings throughout "''Tai Lung Escapes''" and "''Shifu vs. Tai Lung''", and has a presence in a variety of modes in the final confrontation. Even so, it's highly underused, and deserves a suite of its own.

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film has one of these ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail, breaking his manacles free with the aid of the ballista bolts being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI53DLnjO8A WIN.]]

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film has one of these ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail, breaking his manacles free with the aid of the crossbow bolts being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI53DLnjO8A WIN.]]

* Master Oogway gets his CMOA in flashback, where he [[spoiler: Takes down a rampaging Tai Lung with a BulletTime nerve strike ''pattern''. That turtle was apparently blindingly fast to pull that kind of precision ''multiple'' nerve strike.]]

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome: Perhaps one of the most cunning score of Hans Zimmer. There's

"''Hero''", "''Sacred Pool Of Tears''", "''Panda Po''", "''[[spoiler: Oogway Ascends]]''", "''The Bridge''", "''Tai Lung Escapes''"... One can almost say that the entire score is awesome.

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome: Perhaps one of the most cunning score of Hans Zimmer. There's "''Hero''", "''Sacred Pool Of Tears''", "''Panda Po''", "''[[spoiler: Oogway Ascends]]''", "''The Bridge''", "''Tai Lung Escapes''"... One can almost say that the entire score is awesome.

* The sequel brings more awesome. [[spoiler: Want an example? The ending battle is easily equal to the fight with Tai Lung, and involves catching cannon balls.]]

** Special recognition must go to Tai Lung's Theme (or more accurately the theme for Shifu and Tai Lung). First heard played by Shifu on his flute, it gets continual and awesome renderings throughout "''Tai Lung Escapes''" and "''Shifu vs. Tai Lung''", and has a presence in a variety of modes in the final confrontation. Even so, it's highly underused, and deserves a suite of its own.
* In a non-action way, Shifu retrieving the Dragon Scroll, using peach blossom pettles. There's a serenity in it that never fails to impress.

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film, manages to pull one of these off ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail, breaking his manacles free with the aid of the crossbow bolts being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], literally [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI53DLnjO8A WIN.]]

** I felt that Mantis was pretty awesome, given that he had to hold the bridge up while everybody else was fighting on it. He may have not managed to play a big part in the whole fight, but come on! He's a mantis! And he held up a bridge with a monkey, a tiger, a snow leopard, a crane (though I guess he can fly...), and a snake! How awesome is that?!

** And then Crane, beaten up as he is, flies the other four back to Shifu. All at once. By himself.
** The FiveManBand CombinationAttack. Face it, against ''anyone'' else, that would have dropped him instantly. The true strength of the Five.

* Po's fight with Tai Lung is also full of Awesome. Nowhere is that more evident in that the Panda shows his worthy not simply by defeating the villain physically, but first spiritually by showing he had the Dragon Scroll and its wisdom, which only he ''understood''. With that understanding came the knowledge that the very flaws his peers once sneered at were in fact the special qualities that made him invincible as the Dragon Warrior.
** Seconded. Everything leading up to that fight was impressive, but still mainly slapstick and tricks using the environment. After he explains what the Dragon Scroll's really about, though, Po takes on Tai Lung on his own terms--this is the same Tai Lung that beat the Furious Five into submission, by the way--and ''beats him handily''.
** I think Tai Lung hit Po's "release awesome kung fu" pressure point as he was attempting to disarm him...
*** I agree. It's a handy little ShoutOut to KungFuHustle... which also gains a ShoutOut in the form of Po stomping Tai Lung's foot in the ensuing battle.

* I'd call this a CrowningMomentOfAwesome for Dreamworks animated movies in general; after not liking their output for years, this movie just begins to climb the ladder of awesome when Po says "The warrior did not answer, for his mouth was full."
** Yes, and history has shown that this was the film that marked when DreamworksAnimation [[GrowingTheBeard grew its beard]] and largely began to stop being a wannabe imitator of {{Pixar}} that merely hit it lucky a few times on its own and with AardmanAnimations, but found its own voice and style that could match and ''beat'' its rival.

** Admit it, you were dancing out of the theater when you heard [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSYU5Dd3W3g The Panda Dance]]!!

** Admit it, you were dancing out of the theater when you heard [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSYU5Dd3W3g The Panda Dance]]!!

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film, manages to pull one of these off ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail, breaking his manacles free with the aid of the crossbow bolts being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], literally [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. WIN.

'''Po:''' Nope. I figured it out myself. Skadoosh!

* [[{{Badass}} Tai Lung]], the villain of the first film, manages to pull one of these off ''in his very first scene'': after a very long lead-in describing and displaying the many precautions, restraints, and defenses erected to keep him prisoner (in a facility built entirely for him, no less!) and the captain of the guards TemptingFate by claiming [[TheAlcatraz no one could possibly escape]], the snow leopard proceeds to do precisely that--[[spoiler: ''with the aid of a single feather'' (from a character [[YouCantFightFate there to make sure]] Tai Lung was ''contained'', no less!)]]. Highlights include [[spoiler: sweeping said feather into reach with his tail, breaking his manacles free with the aid of the crossbow bolts being fired at him, hurtling said bolts back at their source to kill the guards and give him a means to climb the walls (note also that he didn't throw them back, he ''kicked'' them back!), hiding on the underside of the wooden elevator [[RainOfArrows to avoid flaming arrows]], literally [[SteppingStonesInTheSky leaping from one piece of collapsing stonework to another as it's falling into the abyss]], and climbing a falling stalactite he'd clung to by his claws alone. Oh, and using the captain's own ammo to blow the doors off.]] Epic. Fucking. WIN.