Comments on: Kung Fu for my Little Panda?

Question: Kung Fu for my Little Panda?

gwint — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:21:24 -0800

Kung Fu/martial arts movies and TV shows for an 8 year old?

My daughter has become obsessed with karate, kung fu, ninjas (this year's Halloween costume), etc. This interest was probably sparked by the likes of Kung Fu Panda and Avatar: The Last Airbender (the TV series.) I'm happy to support her, but finding it hard to find age-appropriate movies/TV-- most of my (beloved) kung fu movies that I remember seem too bloody/gory.

By: Oriole Adams

Oriole Adams — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:23:46 -0800

This 1980s-era short-lived TV show was kinda cheesy but had lots of ninja action. Not much gore, no bad language, etc.

By: pipeski

pipeski — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:29:44 -0800

Shaolin Soccer would probably be perfect. Also, the majority of Jackie Chan's output ought to be ok.

By: EndsOfInvention

EndsOfInvention — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:34:01 -0800

Samurai Jack.

By: thylacinthine

thylacinthine — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:38:27 -0800

Monkey Magic, but not the newer movie version, it has to be the old dodgy tv series. We all watched it when I was in primary school!

By: PhoBWanKenobi

PhoBWanKenobi — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:40:03 -0800

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The last cartoon series and movie are both age appropriate and pretty good. I'd also recommend the first two live action movies (the third, not so much).

By: Erasmouse

Erasmouse — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:10:52 -0800

Mulan!
Karate Kid of course.
Also, Rumble In The Bronx

By: jeribus

jeribus — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:10:58 -0800

Jackie Chan Adventures was pretty fun.

By: tacodave

tacodave — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:42:53 -0800

I let my son watch most of "Kung Fu Hustle" but I fast-forwarded through the few bloody scenes. He was 8 and he loved it.

By: colin_l

colin_l — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:49:48 -0800

+1 the original Karate Kid. I think I was about 6 or 7 when that came out.

By: jbickers

jbickers — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:25:28 -0800

Please, do not show "Rumble in the Bronx" to an 8-year-old. There's a scene in which a person gets fed into a wood chipper.

That said, age-appropriate Jackie Chan is exactly what you're looking for. His kid-friendly movies aren't good by any objective standard, but crazy amounts of fun. Start with "The Spy Next Door" and then begin exploring. Most of his films have a few moments that might be too intense for an 8YO, but for the most part they are good-natured and positive.

(He's also an all-around awesome person, and the more you learn about him, the more you love him.)

By: ljs30

ljs30 — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:06:11 -0800

All of the karate kid movies especially the one featuring a girl are great for all ages. Side kicks with chuck norris is good.

By: oceano

oceano — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:58:23 -0800

"Kickin' It" is a show on Disney (and past seasons are on netflix). Also the anime Naruto has some martial arts related themes (at least at the beginning).

By: zanni

zanni — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 22:44:43 -0800

The original Karate Kid features, of course, karate. Great flick, but hoo boy is it showing its age. The remake (with Jackie Chan!) is excellent and actually features kung fu. Start there.

By: Ruthless Bunny

Ruthless Bunny — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 05:43:05 -0800

Kung Fu, TV show.

I say watch the Bruce Lee movies. We all watched that stuff in the 70's and we came out okay. I mean, look at Tarantino.