Letting Go Of The Past: Kung Fu Panda 2's Messege About Inner Peace

 HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD

If you have not seen the movie, this spoils the essence of it, and one of the best scenes I have ever seen in an animated movie, go watch it, rent it, buy it used, however, and come back here after, please. If you have seen the film or do not care let's proceed, but I had to put a warning out there. 

When we first meet Po in this series we see someone who has proved himself, but there is something eating at him, he doesn't know who he is or where he came from. As the film progresses we find his home was taken from him, and his family when he was barely old enough to remember by the villain of the movie Lord Shen, who feared a panda who would rise up and stop him. The moment of losing his home and family, haunted him as a lingering nightmare, ringing in his ears as faint images of that fateful day flash before him, rendering him motionless. 

When the movie hits its climax both emotionally and in terms of narrative is when all hope seems lost, Po is heavily injured and the villain's big plan is rolling out. When he is rescued and nursed back to health, he is told by the one who did so the whole story, how this nightmare was a memory, when he tries to fight it, Po is told to let it flow. He then lets the moment play out, seeing the last moments he had with his mother, as he bends a raindrop in this quiet moment to land on a blade of grass, as it ends, he is left looking defeated he is told "Your story may not have a happy beginning, but that does not make you who you are, it is the rest of your story, who you chose to be". We are then shown that Po's adoptive father, Mr. Ping who raised him lovingly, and his newfound friends, are his family and how he has found a home, a purpose, and therefore peace. He is asked who he is, and responds "My name is Po, and imma need a hat". The scene is quiet, the falling rain being the only sound but then builds to a beautiful score by Hans Zimmer as these events play out, capturing every emotion from sadness to loss, to triumph. The hero of the story has finally found himself, just in time for the big final battle. 

The animation and score capture each emotion and expression of this, making this moment unforgettable, and standing out as to many, myself included, their favorite scene in the entire film. The emotional heights, the relatable emotions that the viewer could be going through or have gone through, and the satisfying and empowering conclusion make this scene so incredible. So much so that I had to talk about it on its own aside from talking about the film.

The message of letting go of the past echoes throughout the movie, showing a hero who has learned to find peace and move on, as opposed to a villain who lives in it. The past can be very strong for many people holding moments of great sorrow and great triumph, and for the former an obstacle that is hard to climb. Failure, pain, loss, these emotions cloud someone's mind as the scene of what happens plays one repeat, but letting it go, knowing it is left in the past, and accepting can lead to finding peace. Peacing in knowing your true friends, family whether related by blood or not, how far you have come, and where you want to and need to go. Letting go of the pain to find peace and strength.

Showing someone losing so much at a young age, and has carried that trauma with them, until they finally let go of their burden and realize who they are. A good reminder of the audience that it is okay to feel hurt by the past, but to let it go, and look around to see what you have. To let go of the past and not live in it, and move on, to become who you are and know who you are deep down. A very strong and powerful message for an animated movie, showing that any medium can be used to tell a great story with a real message the audience can see themselves in. 

I recommend looking up just the scene by itself if you have not seen the movie in a while, or rewatching the entire movie. It is a moment that I like to go back to for inspiration, and still feel the rise of the emotions in it, every single time as if it were my first viewing.

Letting go of the past, and knowing that it is not the beginning of the story, but the rest of it, who we choose to be.