Pandas

Interesting film...but sometimes it was boring. You need to see this film because there are cute pandas. For me, something was not enough. They could do a really good film, but they didn't. For children, it was really interesting and informative.

PANDAS is a cute animal documentary, that also doubles as a travelogue for the country of China. Follow Chen Chen as she struggles to make it in the wild. Made for IMAX, with it's beautifully vast mountains & expansive forests, the brief 40 minute run-time does make you re-think the price of the Upgrade. Few things are cuter than a fluffy, 30 ft. baby panda, but Pandas might play better at the local science museum, rather than your Cineplex. Overflowing with cuteness, but painfully short, you leave the theater feeling slightly panda-teased. I give it an "I wonder if Chen Chen Can Whoop Po" rating. #Pandas #RatedG #GioseesMovies

I thought it was a nice little insight into the conservation of pandas. If you want something cute, cuddly, and also short. This is it.

2018's 'Pandas' immediately appealed to me prior to watching. Absolutely love nature documentaries (have done ever since seeing 'Planet Earth' and 'The Blue Planet' for the first time when they first aired). It was really wonderful to see pandas on screen, they are such lovely animals and one of my fondest memories from last year was seeing them at Schonbrunn Zoo (in Vienna). Don't think they are seen enough in documentaries, so this is as good a documentary you'll find based solely on them.

'Pandas' really does them justice. It is not one of my favourite IMAX documentary short films, with others being more complex tonally and better at showing how unforgiving life as an animal can be. 'Pandas' is still cute, entertaining and educational, and it does much better than most IMAX documentary short films at including human scenes and balancing them with footage of the animals (which has been a failing with some). For anybody wanting to see a comprehensive study of pandas, this should not be missed.

Like pretty much all the IMAX documentary short films seen in the past couple of years, 'Pandas' is too short and would have benefitted from 15 minutes or so more. Wouldn't have said no to more panda footage and perhaps a little more detail on some of what is covered in the human scenes.

Also thought that the music didn't always fit, a softer and less jaunty, modern style would have worked better, and could have been used more subtly

So much is good in 'Pandas' however. It looks absolutely beautiful for one thing, with beautiful yet unforgiving scenery and especially the photography that leaves one in awe at its best. There is though more to 'Pandas' than cute animals and plants in beautiful environments, one is reminded without being preached at that there are daily challenges. The IMAX looks professional and is not overused or gimmicky.

Expectedly there is some messaging, but it is as relevant today as it was back then so it is hardly outdated. It also makes its point quite powerfully and thoughtfully, was very worried about it being preachy but there are documentaries that are a million times worse at that. The human scenes are illuminating and sincere and did find myself really inspired by what they were doing.

The pandas however are even better, they are absolutely adorable and seeing them playing and interacting made me well up and go aww. Chen Chen is such a rootable protagonist, one could not ask for a cuter panda. The behaviours are inspiring, surprising and relatable. When it comes to the information, it is very educational and the narration entertains and informs without preachiness, childishness, sugar-coating or disturbing. It may not be as uncompromising as other IMAX documentary short films, but it at least does show that pandas do face adversity and in a not too dramatised way. It is delivered well and sympathetically, while also with some playfulness.

Very well done and highly recommended. 8/10.

The fun family IMAX film, Pandas is wonderfully entertaining and educational. It is a documentary about the journey following one particular panda living in captivity, to its release into the wild. The movie begins when Chen Chen is just a pup, living with other baby pandas in captivity. Based on the black bear research of Ben Kilham, this lucky panda is released and followed in the wild. The American researcher, Jacob Owens and the Chinese researcher, Bi Wen Li work together to help bring Chen Chen into her natural environment. Along the journey, she has some awkward moments and challenging times. I won't tell you what they are because it would give away a big part of the movie.

My favorite scene is the beginning when we see Chen Chen and the other pandas playing together. In many ways, they seem just like little kids happily playing. My other favorite scene is when Ben Kilham is playing a peek-a-boo game with a black bear behind a tree (say that 10 times fast). The music, by Mark Mothersbaugh, is really child-like, which adds to the fun playfulness that we see with the pandas. The narration by Kristen Bell is spot on with her happy tone and soothing voice throughout the film. The sweetness in her voice adds to the enjoyment of the movie.

My favorite character has to be the adorable Chen Chen and also the researchers. Chen Chen is always entertaining because she is so cute, loving, has a great personality and is very curious. I especially love the part when the researchers say they will always be there for her whether it is in ten or 20 years. The message of this film is that, through research, working with others and a lot of patience, pandas and other endangered animals raised in captivity can be successfully released into the wild. The message also is that it is important to save species from extinction because "once they're gone, they're gone"

I recommend this film for ages 5 to 18 and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Abigail Zoe L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot org.