The score has been composed by Hans Zimmer. Moreover, the British boyband The Vamps performs the legendary “Kung Fu Fighting” song. The soundtrack for “Kung Fu Panda” features several prominent Chinese musicians, including piano solos by Lang Lang, Jim Wang (Cello), Wu Man (Pipa), Guo Gan (Erhu/Zhonghu/Gaohu) and Cynthia Hsiang (Guzheng). Jay Chou (4.In 2016, one of the most successful animated franchises in the world returns with its biggest comedy adventure yet, Kung Fu Panda 3. Kung Fu Fighting (Celebration Time) – Shanghai Roxi Musical Studio Choirs / Metro Voices London (2.59)Ģ2. All that whackiness does get a little tiresome, but in all this is a great album to cheer you up any ol’ day.Ġ1. It’s well written, just brilliantly orchestrated, and performed with gusto by … whoever performed it (sorry, I don’t have those details at the moment – but if you were part of the orchestra and you’re reading this: well done sir/madam). I love Zimmer in ‘Asian’ mode and this is no exception. When it’s more noble and introvert it is really beautiful, poignantly so, with solo cello and various ‘ethnic’ instruments taking the lead – in a way that is very Zimmer. When it’s fast and fun and zany it sounds just like John Powell. Arguably the best score Powell never wrote. Hans Zimmer’s “Kung Fu Panda 3” is an incredibly fun ride in a fast machine. Pardon me this cop-out, but there’s little point to me doing a track-by-track analysis of such a vivid, and often quite zany, score. It’s typical Zimmer (and Powellesque) fun, with strong themes and colourful, Asian-flavoured orchestrations. The long and short of it all is: if you’re familiar with the first two “Kung Fu Panda” scores, you’ll know what to expect. There are twenty-three tracks here, and most (if not all) are either really beautiful or incredibly good fun. The score concludes beautifully with “Father and Son”, which features a Gabriel Fauré (“In Paradisum”) inspired piano accompaniment. “Jaded” is another great energetic cue (more in a Zimmer way this time), especially the second half and really especially the last twenty seconds or so. It frequently reminds me of “El Dorado”, actually. Lush strings and oohing choir give “The Panda Village” a magical feeling, again more Powellesque than Zimmeresque. Then when the main theme is played on top of that, it’s really powerful stuff. And I love the softly arpeggiating strings and vocals in “The Legend of Kai” (which may be a technique nicked from Powells’ “Dragon 2”). “The Hall of Heroes” is as wild and zany anything the funny Brit has ever written – or not, or something. “The Arrival of Kai” sounds like an Asian interpretation of “Pirates of the Caribbean”, whilst “A New Father” offers a beautiful Asian-flavoured melody (for erhu I’m assuming) as well as more Powellesque playful material. So, anyone who worries that Powell’s absence may harm this musical franchise need not worry. “Hungry for Lunch” is… hang on, wait, what the heck? Someone is doing one barn-storming impression of John Powell! Racing percussion, a quirky theme for flutes, trumpets bouncing all over the place… If I hadn’t known that Powell had no involvement with this score, I would’ve thought this cue was all him. The way it builds to a powerful crescendo, then drops, letting the solo cello take over… it’s something the composer does quite often, but it works every time. It’s an excellent and very typical Zimmer cue. Here it is performed on solo cello against lush strings, winds and virtuous piano (courtesy of Lang Lang). The album opens with “Oogway’s Legacy” which features Po’s beautiful theme (which was established back in the first score and has mercifully been retained). Returning to score this film is Hans Zimmer, though this time it is sans John Powell. Besides Black, there are voice roles for the likes of Angeline Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen and Jackie Chan. The comedic adventures of Po (Jack Black) continue in this third instalment of the “Kung Fu Panda” series. Can Hans Zimmer really pull this one off on his own? The martial panda is back, but without John Powell this time.
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