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    SCHOOL  OF  ARCHITECTURE,  BUILDING  AND  DESIGN  

THE  DESIGN  SCHOOL  

FOUNDATION  IN  NATURAL  BUILD  ENVIRONMENT  

 

 

NAME:  Schani  Daniel  Bharat  

STUDENT  ID  NO:  0318788  

FILMS  SELECTED:  Kung  Fu  Panda  vs.  Tangled  

WORD  COUNT:  912  

ENGLISH  2  (ELG  30605)  

WRITTEN  ASSIGNMENT  1:  COMPARE  –  CONTRAST  ESSAY  

LECTURER:  CASSANDRA  WIJESURIA  

SUBMISSION  DATE:    19TH  SEPTEMBER  2014  

 

 

 

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 One  of  the  most  contagious  and  prevalent  genre’s  that  has  graced  the  film  industry  for  many  years  was  

the  invention  and  mesh  of  comedic  and  dramatic  films.  This  particular  genre  allows  the  audience  to  

experience  fluctuating  laughter  and  an  inevitable  buildup  in  climatic  variance.  The  rudiments  of  both  

these  categories  now  form  what  we  call  ‘  Dramedy  ’.    So  what  does  Dramedy  offer?  For  instance  in  the  

movie  of  ‘Kung  Fu  Panda’  and  ‘Tangled’,  the  elements  of  the  genre  are  infused  in  different  styles  and  

focal  points.  However  there  is  dissimilarity  in  terms  of  cultural  context  in  which  the  movies  were  set  in,  

the  obvious  characterization  of  the  protagonists  as  well  the  overall  theme  and  symbolisms  that  differ  in  

each  movie  to  produce  a  different  end  outcome.  

Both  Kung  Fu  Panda  and  Tangled  showcase  two  different  cultures  and  exemplify  dissimilarities  within  

them.  In  other  words  the  movie  tangled  is  a  representation  of  a  not  so  typical  fairy  tale  that  inculcates  

the  western  culture.  It  is  also    a  fresh  depiction  of  the  fairytale  Rapunzel.  Whereas  in  Kung  Fu  Panda,  

which  is  set  in  China,  given  away  by  its  name,  exhibits  a  very  laid  back  Chinese  culture  of  the  village  

people  in  contrast  to  Tangled,  which  is  German  and  English  based.  Together  these  cultures  are  on  

different  ends  of  the  spectrum  and  it  is  clearly  highlighted  in  both  films,  through  the  use  clothing,  food,  

fighting  methods  and  weaponry.  

Characterization  differs  most  of  the  time,  however  there  is  a  drastic  difference  between  the  personas  in  

the  movie  tangled  and  Kung  Fu  panda,  the  first  being  the  ironic  but  yet  popular  notion  of  talking  

animals,  in  which  Po  the  main  protagonist  in  Kung  Fu  Panda  being  a  panda.  Whilst  in  Tangled  the  

infamous  Rapunzel  maintains  her  human  persona.  She  in  many  ways  is  the  complete  opposite  of  Po;  in  

terms  of  physical  appearance  she  is  feminine-­‐like  with  extremely  long  lush  blonde  exaggerated  hair,  a  

tiny  waist  just  like  any  stereotypical  Disney  princesses.  She  possesses  a  sweet  musical  voice  that  

compliments  her  facial  features;  milk  like  fair  skin  as  well  a  petite  figure  of  perfection.  In  contrast,  Po  is  a  

 

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panda,  an  animal,  an  over  weight  one  too;  his  animalistic  personification  does  not  do  him  justice  in  

terms  of  personality.  The  growth  that  is  showcased  by  both  the  protagonists  are  contrasting  as  well.  

Rapunzel,  is  unaware  she  Is  a  princess,  and  her  character  is  rather  curious,  outgoing,  joyful  and  

extremely  adventurous,  she  is  portrayed  more  earthly  and  hardier  than  the  other  Disney  princesses.  

Whereas  Po  is  initially  seen  as  timid,  soft  and  clumsy  in  nature.  He  is  also  carefree  and  stubborn  and  

reluctant.  It’s  ironic  that  the  male  possesses  less  dominant  qualities  in  comparison  to  the  female  in  

terms  of  being  a  protagonist.  The  contradictive  nature  of  both  the  characters,  entwine  their  fates  to  

dramatic  obstacles  in  terms  of  love,  self-­‐realization  and  also  stipulates  a  fresh  new  take  on  comedy  due  

to  their  personalities.  

The  theme  dedicated  to  either  movies  are  in  contrast,  as  one  can  see,  in  Tangled  the  need  to  satisfy  

nothing  greater  but  Rapunzel’s  own  want  of  viewing  the  lanterns  given  flight,  during  her  birthday  was  

her  sole  intention,  however  the  aspect  of  love  slowly  consumer  her.  Therefore  the  theme  of  romance  is  

given  more  dominance.  In  contrast,  the  Kung  Fu  panda  exhibits  more  of  self-­‐discovery,  as  Po  

coincidentally  is  selected  as  the  Dragon  warrior,  the  greatest  warrior  in  the  entire  nation.  Bewildered  by  

this,  he  is  happy,  but  isn’t  actually  up  for  the  task  ahead,  he  then  trains  for  false  motives,  only  to  learn,  

he  was  selected  due  to  his  ability  to  care.  The  ample  amount  of  self-­‐discovery  and  learning,  contributes  

to  the  theme  of  strengths  and  weaknesses.  

 

As  for  the  symbolism  that  is  embodied  in  both  these  movies,  they  carry  significance  in  aiding  the  story  

line  in  terms  of  its  level  of  content  and  depth.  For  instance  Po  being  an  animal  is  a  symbol  used  to  infer  

emphasis  on  the  Chinese  culture,  pandas  being  the  national  pride  and  animal  of  China,  are  now  almost  

extinct  and  perhaps  the  ambiguity  behind  the  symbolism  was  to  direct  focus  to  this  topic.  On  the  other  

 

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hand  Elsa’s  hair  acts  as  a  connotation  for  her  long  desire  to  be  set  free.  The  built  up  emotions  of  

curiosity  and  her  long  awaited  destiny  are  all  symbolized  using  her  hair.  Another  instance  in  Tangled,  is  

the  short  but  important  appearance  of  a  cupid  like  man  during  the  bar  scene,  in  which  he  holds  up  an  

arrow  and  points  it  towards  Rapunzel,  also  foreshadows,  that  Rapunzel  will  be  love  stricken  eventually.    

On  the  contrary,  the  use  of  dumplings  in  Po’s  training  acts  as  a  symbol  of  motivation,  its  ironic  that  food  

is  given  such  a  prime  role  in  a  characters  development,  throughout  the  movie,  the  panda’s  obsession  

food  Is  motivation/reward.  This  highlights  the  comedic  fact  of  the  movie  and  also  put  emphasis  of  the  

irony  of  how  dramatic  Po’s  is  that  he  needs  food  for  his  motivation.  

 

There  are  varied  differences  that  can  be  depicted  amongst  the  two  movies,  although  they  share  the  

same  genre,  they  divulge  different  stories  in  a  very  distinctive  manner.  Furthermore  the  significance  of  

varying  themes,  characterization,  symbolisms  and  cultural  context  all  contribute.    When  all  is  said  and  

done,  both  movies  do  massive  justice  to  their  genres  in  terms  of  content  and  depth  of  drama  and  the  

crucial  and  intelligent  selection  of  comedic  scenes  and  puns.  This  keeps  the  movie  light  hearted  but  yet  

meaningful.