Review: 'The Kung Fu Kid' (2024)

The Chinese animated film, The Kung Fu Kid, found its way into the digital realm, ready to be bought or rented on digital platforms as of August 18th, courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment. Mark your calendars, folks, because it’s set to hit Blu-ray™ and DVD, exclusively on Amazon, on September 15. Initially released in China in 2024 under the title I Am What I Am 2, this flick is a sequel to Sun Haipeng's I Am What I Am (2021). It features an English voice cast crafted for American ears.

I had zero inkling that The Kung Fu Kid was part of an existing saga; to me, it felt like a standalone film or perhaps the beginnings of a new franchise. So, you can imagine my surprise when I unearthed its origins and the existence of the original film just before writing this review. It’s not too shocking, though, considering how Chinese films often undergo a makeover to align with American sensibilities.

The story pivots around a village boy named Juan (or is it Gyun?), whose desperation to save his ailing father drives him to seek fortune and pay off insurmountable medical debts. His journey leads him to the bustling streets of Shanghai, where he’s scooped up by the Qiu Zhen Kung Fu Gym to partake in a grueling tournament known as Shanghai Fight Night. The gym’s soul has faded away with its owner’s death, leaving his daughter, Xiaoyu, to navigate the stormy seas of business to keep the doors from closing. Both she and Juan are chasing the same elusive prize money; one for survival, the other for love. With training from the former champion Zhang Wate, who now grapples with blindness, Juan is thrust into a world where elite fighters of diverse techniques clash. It’s a haunting theme of tradition, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of victory, wrapped in the essence of martial arts.

Now, let me tell you, the film stretches a bit long in the tooth for your typical animated feature, running a hefty 134 minutes. I was hooked from start to finish. The Kung Fu Kid plays out more like a live-action comedy tailored for adults than just another kids' film filled with sugar-coated silliness. There’s a surprising amount of violence, and despite the animation, the fight scenes strike a bizarre balance that feels almost believable. The plot isn’t groundbreaking; it feels like a heady mix of The Karate Kid, Rocky, and a splash of Kickboxer, with a storyline that has you cheering for the underdog. Sprinkle in some training montages, and you’ve got that irresistible arc where triumph is inevitable, tinged with predictability, yet it hits you just right, sending chills down your spine and leaving an ear-to-ear grin as the credits roll.

Overall, I enjoyed The Kung Fu Kid. Sure, there were a few moments that made me chuckle, almost cringeworthy, and yet it was balanced with poignant scenes that pulled at the heartstrings. The action scenes? Pure adrenaline, mixed with breathtaking animated choreography. If you’re on the fence, do yourself a favor and give it a shot. ╌★★★★✰

Please consider supporting future reviews on this blog by purchasing The Kung Fu Kid on Blu-ray ^[*] and DVD ^[*].

〜B.J. Burgess

Disclosure: I received a review screener from Well Go USA Entertainment. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. [*]