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Movie(s): Kung Fu Panda (2008)
First Appearance: Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Voiced by: Dustin Hoffman
It takes a very light touch to take a venerated martial arts master - the archetype that inspired Yoda, Mr. Miyagi and dozens more - and make him fresh, while satisfying all the demands traditionally associated with the character: namely, enough neatly-phrased expressions of wisdom and advice to fill a thousand fortune cookies. Shifu, the kung fu master who teaches Jack Black's Po to be all that he can be in DreamWorks' unexpectedly entertaining adventure, is fresh as can be, thanks largely to Hoffman's playfully bemused line readings, a genuine warmth beneath the wiliness, and a refreshing sparkle to the banter between him and Po. Their delightful final exchange leaves the movie on a high note, and is the chief reason why we're looking forward to the incoming sequel.
Stroke of genius
It's got to be the hilarious attempts of the kung-fu master to tutor the enthusiastic but hopelessly inept panda Po in the basics of the martial art. His increasing exasperation and the faltering of that firmly-held calm is a joy to behold.
Fun fact
Dustin Hoffman had a clause in his contract allowing him to record additional voice sessions if he was unhappy with his original performance. Now that's perfectionism.
10/10
