Why I Love Tai Lung - The Weight of Expectations (Kung Fu Panda)

[@SagesRain]

if you have the means to, and interested in supporting me, you can visit patreon.com/sagesrain early-access to videos, your name in the credits, and very soon i will be starting to make request-based Patreon-exclusive videos. thanks for watching. i really appreciate it!

[@SpammytheHedgehog]

Hello

[@BgChf-dg5lv]

Stop making me cry man.

[@faisalashour8866]

Pls make videos on Samurai Jack

[@OGPoetsRain]

(Spoilers for Kung Fu panda 2) Kung Fu panda 2's villain was also amazing...remember when Po says to Shen that needs to care about whether wounds and scars heal ....Shen knows he can't go back even if he wants to. I think he died on purpose, I could tell by when the mast falls on him, he just closes his eyes rather than dodging it.

[@thedotgiver2820]

..

[@harryblocks]

That Prison Escape was one of the greatest moments in animated history

[@neubalmao2315]

It’s one of the best movie moments ever

[@harryblocks]

@@neubalmao2315 I think the part of Tai Long kicking the spikes and breaking his chains from them is what sold it for me

[@kittyykatie]

haha yeah I can remember it frame by frame it's so iconic

[@peachysandie]

The arrows going down in slow motion is pretty chilling. The whole scene gives me goosebumps...but the red arrows, man that gives me the shivers

[@lordyadi]

couldnt agree more

[@JaydenDimaio]

His name literally means "Great Dragon" and even his eye colour is golden, a colour reserved for greatness throughout the franchise.

[@Vexin980]

Tai Lung is great, the greatest even. Unfortunately his own greatness destroyed him...

[@thepuffin4050]

That slaps different when you realize that Shifu literally named him that. No wonder Tai Lung thought he was destined to be dragon warrior. He had been told all his life that he was the chosen one.

[@full-timelesbian1075]

@@thepuffin4050 wow, reminds me of a certain _Ninjago_ character..

[@RishavRamcharan22]

@@full-timelesbian1075 Po & Tai-lung share similarities to Lloyd & Morro, Tai-lung wanted to be the Dragon Warrior & Morro wanted to be the green ninja.

[@imands8958]

@@RishavRamcharan22 Holy shit it has been awhile since I heard those names. What a great show

[@Zinlain]

Fascinating obseration but one point to consider: Shifu didnt teach TainLung humility because he lacked it himself. Po helped humble Shifu through the first movie as Shifu's biases get broken through by Po.

[@CidGuerreiro1234]

Agree 100%.

[@simantakdabhade3835]

Yeah Shi fu was kinda mean at the beginning

[@sjonnieplayfull5859]

Maybe that is why Oogway only left when Po had come. Now his own training of Shifu was ready.

[@kunaljanvalkar2850]

I agree. Shifu was a clenched asshole since start of his life. He looks down on people and is proud without any reason. He is not even that talented. Oogway was mirror opposite of Shifu just like duality between Po and Tigress.

[@LancesArmorStriking]

@@kunaljanvalkar2850 That leads me to question, then, how good of a teacher was Oogway if Shifu is who he raised? Maybe he had very good character, but was unable to pass it down?

[@spongegar7588]

This is why you gotta give respect to Po’s dad, both Tai Lung and Po were adopted. Yet, Po recieved such pure constructive and unbiased love from his father. Yes, his father would have loved for Po to be a noodle man, but never forced it on him. His room is adorned with all his interests and favourite things and when he realizes Po doesn’t want to follow his direction, he loves him just as much. Meanwhile, Shifu loved Tai Lung in a very toxic way, he wanted to mold him into this perfect warrior but did not allow Tai lung to explore his own interests. He filled his head with things that weren’t even set in stone, telling him he’s destined for greatness. Without specifying that Tai Lung is already great just for being born, just trying his hardest is great. He sheltered Tai Lung and when Oogway rejected him, he didn’t even comfort his son. Tai lung didn’t have a real purpose in life or a place he still belongs, he was still an orphan while Po had a real family. After the rejection, Shifu should have left the Jade Palace with Tai Lung. Not forever, but clearly Tai Lung needed to experience a world outside of Shifu’s control to finally find himself. He didn’t even know why he wanted to be the dragon warrior, he just had to be it. Just as he took Po to train, Shifu should have left with Tai Lung.

[@Sgt.Blitzwing]

I think you missed the fact it was also his fault that it was his greed for the scroll led him to his inevitable downfall, his fault.

[@father5946]

@@Sgt.Blitzwing His greed for the scroll was because of Shifu you goon LOL

[@ahsanhaider6549]

Mr. Ping is a gaoted dad.

[@spongegar7588]

@@Sgt.Blitzwing his greed came from shifu. He literally named Tai Lung dragon, he was told he was destined for greatness, and the dragon scroll was the absolute symbol of greatness. Shifu never allowed Tai Lung to be anything but “great”. Shifu was selfish in his love, and it turned Tai Lung into a monster. He never even asked if Tai Lung wanted to train, it was just expected cause he was “great”. Instead of saying he has “darkness”, Oogway should have said he’s destined for another greatness, or even that he needs to see the world. He literally had no other personality trait but “greatness”. Tai lung never was able to become a real self thinking person because of Shifu

[@spongegar7588]

@@father5946 Exactly, Shifu literally took in an orphan and filled his head with bullshit since he was a baby. I don’t understand how people don’t realize that can mess a kid up, then when his dreams were shattered, Shifu didn’t even take responsibility.

[@agravain9006]

Helps that his voice actor did a top tier job

[@lucian6273]

The legendary Ian McShane!

[@m0ckyzo185]

@@ghazghkullthraka6306 know anywhere I can find it?

[@Yamanosei95]

@@ghazghkullthraka6306 Yeah it’s way better, much more emotional

[@kathi3093]

You should watch the scene in german

[@wra1th075]

Yeah, it was a voice that really fit the character.

[@Numbtoitall]

"Who filled my head with dreams? Who drove me to train until my bones cracked? Who denied me my destiny?" - Tai Lung

[@SpammytheHedgehog]

Not me. Lol

[@bud1689]

LONG

[@herojoestar8517]

L O N G

[@Dragonborne223]

L O N G

[@mohamedlaqin]

L O N G

[@yagmur.ah3]

what’s even more sad is how when tai lung finally opens the scroll and he sees a reflection of himself, he says “it’s nothing!” this shows how little value he had for himself because he was so determined with trying to earn validation from shifu and getting the scroll that when he was denied of his destiny, he was consumed with rage and hatred. truly a tragic character who really just wanted appreciation from his father figure.

[@ciromaccarone7494]

more than low self esteem i think he was too convinced that the dragon warrior had something special, he refused to believe that there were no "secret ingredient"

[@HudsnHubs]

And in contrast Po opens up the scroll and says “it’s blank,” meaning he sees himself as a blank slate who is full of potential

[@Dk-ie4te]

@@HudsnHubs so it's all about 'perspective'.

[@FM-hw8yv]

i think at that moment all tai lung sees are the things he has done, the crimes he comitted, all to finally recieve his price that then turns out to be nothing

[@Joesmho23]

I kind of wish they left out the part where oogway saw darkness in his heart and that being why he was denied. He was raised by shifu from the very beginning yet still always had darkness in him all along. I can’t tell if that’s tragic or not. What chance did he ever have if he’s just inherently bad?

[@supergoo2190]

Imagine how things would have went if shifu actually went and visited him every week or month and told him how proud he was of him, and that how he believed he could do better and be a good person.

[@matthewsum1752]

tru fax

[@yungmuney5903]

No way shifu would want to witness his beloved in a place like that.

[@robertbuc8082]

You are making me cry bro

[@eavyeavy2864]

@@matthewsum1752 Another kid younger than Minecraft players adding 'fact' adding 'fact'/tru / real to their comment to feel better and get likes from other kid

[@oizys1184]

@@eavyeavy2864 bro what.calm down he just said the "fax" what are u on🤣

[@brandondaniels2027]

Shifu never once visited Tai Lung in prison or even acknowledged his existence until Oogway mentioned he would escape. Shifu abandoned Tai Lung in a way, just like his birth parents did. Which further fueled Tai Lung's desire to get the dragon scroll to prove he is worth something that shouldn't have been abandoned.

[@jaytech1962]

If only these thing would be taken under consideration...

[@adityabhalekar3506]

tbf he really loved tai lung so he couldn't bring himself to see him in that state

[@wabi-sabi5621]

He blamed himself for how Tai Lung turned out, which is true, and I think it's guilt that really stopped him from visiting Tai Lung in the prison.

[@HeWhoLaugths]

Huh, really good point

[@SoapCkat]

@@adityabhalekar3506 what the fuck is tbf

[@namelessnavnls8060]

A cool detail about Shifu is that not only is he mentally and emotionally scarred by his mistakes with Tai Lung, but also physically. He limps because Tai Lung struck him in the legs when he came for the scrolls by force.

[@gdzll2020]

And don’t forget his poor mustache is uneven from baby tai lung ripping it off :(

[@hakeemwilliams6814]

@@gdzll2020 PFTTT, YOUR RIGHT

[@seronymus]

Are you Norsk?

[@ElleVisTutorials]

@@gdzll2020 omg you're right 😂

[@Necromancer4267]

Yeah, you can hear his leg shatter from the hit.

[@honeyjm8324]

One theory that really probably kills me when I hear it, is that oogway denied him the scroll to see how he would react, and see if he had humility, if he did it meant he was ready

[@jordanread5829]

That does have some weight to it. Like how Oogway wanted to see if Shifu had inner peace by slowly blowing out the candles one by one. However Shifu showed he didn't have inner peace because he blew them all out because he was getting impatient. Which is why Oogway sighs and tells his old friend and student about his visions. One often meets their destiny on the pat they take to avoid it. Ultimately, Shifu needed to confront Tai Lung alone. To took at his greatest failure and accept the truth. Only then would he find peace within himself and become the master he was always meant to be. It is why Shifu smiling and having fun during Po's final lesson is so important. It is the first time since Tai Lung that Shifu has actually felt..... happy.

[@jishan1850]

Oogway is no magician but a very wise turtle. He obviously predicted something similar to that, which is why he said Tai Long isn't worthy.

[@jft2nd]

@@jordanread5829 yep, if Shifu had waited for oogway to blow out all of the candles then he wouldn't have told him anything about Tai Lung returning, cause notice that when he did Shifu panicked and sent Zing to the prison and Tai Lung used Zings feather to escape the prison, that would never have happened if oogway kept quiet

[@HeyitsBri_]

Cool theory but oogway had already seen darkness in him before the scroll thing and his lack of humility would have been apparent way before that moment

[@jishan1850]

@@HeyitsBri_ ohhh right!

[@roselover411]

Baby Tai Lung and baby Tigress make me want to cry. Tai Lung was so affectionate and happy, and Tigress is given nothing but criticism because Shifu is too hurt by his past experience to give Tigress the affection she needed.

[@DefaultName-ms2bb]

Tai lung was given tough love Tigress was given nothing but tough. Sometimes i wonder how she didnt end up the same as Tai lung. Maybe the companionship of the rest of the Five?

[@classictrios8896]

@@DefaultName-ms2bbI think she she did not wanted to end up like tai lung in prison

[@Drip_Wooper]

@@classictrios8896 probably there was fear too, but the fact that she isnt a bad person, only tough on the outside, is an indicative that it wasnt just fear keeping her from straying from the path of light having colleagues you can talk to about other things does helps out quite a lot

[@roselover411]

@mila2394 Agreed, but to some degree he had his reasons for doing so, even if the reasons weren't good ones. There's never a good excuse for neglecting and hurting one child because of what another child did. But he did let his trauma from what happened with Tai Lung inform his decisions on how to treat Tigress.

[@TheBaBaTV]

@@roselover411Tigris has always tried to prove herself to shifu because his disappointment in her, and it’s sad !

[@ICEcoldJT]

“The circumstances of one’s birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.” - Mewtwo from Pokemon

[@AtomicOwl]

Damn bro I felt that

[@crumblemuffin1257]

That hit home

[@daletownsblount5655]

Why is a quote like that in a Pokémon movie

[@haileyharmon5298]

He's right.

[@117MasterSpartan]

@@daletownsblount5655 because it’s pokemon

[@Khalil-pw1ec]

"Those who are not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel it's warmth." - African proverb

[@Xanthopathy]

its*

[@chenoob]

beautifully dark

[@Risyn1]

@@Jinx1996-9 it's means **it is**, so "feel it is warmth"? don't think so

[@dashernation3343]

;;

[@zexian9750]

Tai Lung was loved, but he wanted recognition only from Shifu. He burnt the village because he couldn't accept not being the dragon warrior and probably because he couldn't handle the humility.

[@rhesareeves5]

Shifu raised Tai Lung, but that didn't change the fact that he was abandoned by his parents. That can cause a deep inferiority complex, and Tai Lung put everything into becoming stronger and proving that he has worth.

[@Vexin980]

@Dawnbie "This is completely unexpected! How could Shifu not be my biological father?! We look so alike!"

[@everythingsalright1121]

It kinda makes you wonder just what kind of people his parents were and the reasons for his abandonment.

[@lordsiomai]

whoa yeah. this is a nice psychological insight to it!

[@theinfiniteconqueror]

@@everythingsalright1121 Imagine that they abandoned him because they felt the darkness in him. So they laid him on the steps of the jade palace. If anyone could turn him into something that he's not, a hero, it would be Shifu. But in the end, you can't change someone into something their not. You can only make them into themselves.

[@giganticomega6821]

@@theinfiniteconqueror How the hell would they know there is darkness in a baby ? They were most likely poor people and just wanted him to have a better life. Tai lung gained darkness in him due to shifu filling his head with shit. That he was the dragon warrior which is basically kung fu jesus.

[@Sinshine-Lennypops]

The fight between Shifu and Tai Lung will always get me. The dialogue between them, the way that Shifu is defensive in his fighting style because he doesn't want to hurt Tai Lung, the pure agony in Tai Lung's voice as he pours all of his anger out, it will always, always make me tear up. Tai Lung is a beautiful character, not a villain, but a fallen hero that wanted nothing more than to be loved and validated for his hard work.

[@RandyDaGamer]

Agreed

[@ashwinraphael]

I like to think shifu wasn’t holding back but just that Tai lungs Kung fu is just very good. His style is unmatched

[@msatutude17]

We all could be Tai lung

[@gryphgaming1887]

And then PO mudered him

[@bigchungus1848]

@@gryphgaming1887you mean banished him.

[@Spongebrain97]

"Po... so that is his name. Finally, a worthy opponent. Our battle will be legendary!"

[@brandongrey9240]

*ends with a belly bump*

[@mandalorianhunter1]

I finally found where the meme came from now.

[@r18bbit93]

It was

[@kazemizu]

"You're just a big... fat... panda!"

[@harisankar2688]

Birth of a beautiful meme

[@FlameForgedSoul]

Fun Fact: The creators made his eyes gold to signify how he saw himself; as the hero of his own story.

[@Nicklenickle]

Simplify what you said, I didnt understand anything, im too dumb at 5 am

[@anshulsenguptaxbrollno-2579]

@@Nicklenickle read it again cityboiiii

[@Nicklenickle]

@@anshulsenguptaxbrollno-2579 im a dumb as

[@anshulsenguptaxbrollno-2579]

@@Nicklenickle no you love your parents

[@happyvult9340]

What about the tiger girl

[@Rainjojo]

As a kid, I never paid much attention to tai lung and only saw him as an antagonist. However with his backstory I couldn’t help but feel bad. I now realize how justified his feelings were. All that’s hard work he’d done only to be denied and locked for 20+ years when his destiny was denied

[@jadenjones693]

True breaking all is bond just to get nothing after is really sad.

[@brookswiontek9519]

i mean he got locked up for 20+ years because he went nuts on a village of civilians, not for not being the dragon warrior

[@hannarowan8735]

I think it was more than being denied the dragon scroll, it was that Shifu in that moment didn’t even say anything to Oogawy in Tai Lung’s defense. For a cub who was abandoned, Shifu turning his back on him practically must have felt like he was being abandoned again.

[@jadenjones693]

Yes i agree

[@jadenjones693]

@@hannarowan8735 he should have atleast talk to him it might have cool him down

[@lordstumpy2945]

After watching the prison break scene as a little kid I was TERRIFIED of Tai Lung, he was the first and one of the only villains to ever make me seriously question whether or not the hero could actually win.

[@liborsysel2234]

Vader and who else is there?

[@actualatom]

@@liborsysel2234 Death

[@FionaFyre]

@@liborsysel2234 Pain

[@dagakotowaru6118]

​@@FionaFyre 😂

[@senatorjiggles]

Very true! That escape scene is one of the coolest scenes out there and Kung Fu Panda is my favourite animations movie 🙌

[@SpammytheHedgehog]

I like how Tai Lung just casually lean on a bridge while four other animals try to keep it together.

[@megabladechronicles962]

its a good way to subtly show the gap in power between them

[@carna-9501]

Bruh just built different

[@fallenpotato4343]

@@carna-9501 the bridge or him

[@theblackbasketball]

@@fallenpotato4343 Yes

[@averongodoffire8098]

“Imma just make myself at home.”

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

So many characters in this film are really well written

[@GamerGuy-bj1pe]

agreed

[@hang_kentang6709]

you are everywhere arent you.

[@animetamila7819]

Well.....

[@maximuxx9984]

All Your comments seem like you comment just for the sake of commenting..not really interesting..take a break

[@animetamila7819]

@@maximuxx9984 he is getting old I think

[@maliksmith5276]

His grievance with Shifu is not unwarranted; Tai Lung went through hell with his training, was raised with fatherly love from Shifu, and when Oogway denied him the scroll, Shifu did nothing to change his mind or explain why to Tai Lung. When Tai Lung went to prison: Shifu never visited him or tried to contact him, he never explained to Tai Lung why he wasn't the Dragon Warrior and the only answer he could give on the matter is summed up as "Because Oogway said so". From Tai Lung's perspective, Shifu abandoned him without a second thought because Oogway said he was a failure for not being the Dragon Warrior.

[@mat7083]

Damn. That hit different than when I first saw it.

[@maliksmith5276]

@@mat7083 How things would have change if shifu acted like the father Tai long needed.

[@golden1_1dragon12]

They effectively gave an Anakin downfall story

[@ranfan1820]

@@golden1_1dragon12 but its better written than star wars imo

[@mat7083]

@Bronzethelegend36 4 But, didn't he have Oogway? Shifu could've said something in 20 yrs and that old turtle doesn't appear to be strict

[@ReimondoCortexalotl]

In my eyes; Tai Lung is misunderstood. He became Shifu's greatest student when he went under the hardest training possible that even his bones cracked as he stated in the movie. I feel like they should make a movie about Tai Lung, Shifu and Master Oogway and retell the story of how Tai Lung came to be.

[@musicmeister1313]

that would be sick

[@iPlayDotaReligiously]

like backstories yeah

[@lightninggamer136]

There are supposed to be 3 more movies coming out, ngl I hope they don't centre on Po. Po's story is complete, they need to expand on other characters. A movie on Tai Lung, Shifu and Master Oogway would be incredible, but I would also like a movie (maybe even 2) on the Furious Five.

[@iPlayDotaReligiously]

@@lightninggamer136 agree! Po is enough

[@cleonclarkbautista4617]

Oh wait wait also after they do that it's also a continuation like what happened to Tai lung after he went to the spirit world and maybe they even redeem him and maybe he also meets Oogway as well that'd be awesome

[@katlegoratilodi9421]

What breaks my heart is that Tigress became the younger kid who had to live under the shadow of her big brother..and she actually had to work hard for the parent's (Shifu's) love and approval and she never got it..she was paying for someone else's mistakes

[@swordpegasus4032]

😀😀😀😀😀🙂🙂🙂

[@davidhong1934]

She gets a little brother in Po, so it all works out

[@konanxhidan3202]

@@davidhong1934 Believe it or not but Po is actually supposed to be over *20 years* old. It would have been better if he would be more mature instead of acting like a 5 years old boy almost the entire time.

[@masterthan5673]

@@konanxhidan3202 True but they had to make him appeal to a younger audience so both we as older more mature people and a younger audience can appreciate different aspects of the movie. (a funny, kung-fu-action-type of movie for the children and a more symbolic, life-lesson-teaching kung fu film for the older, more mature audience)

[@konanxhidan3202]

@@masterthan5673 No, Po should have been more mature. He is not even acting like a teenager, he is behaving like a *5 years old.* You can be very naiv, kind and gullible and still serious (like Spongebob from the older seasons or Aang from Avatar). Many people think that Kong Fu Panda is only a children movie, because of the way Po was acting the entire time. His forced comedy was sometimes really annoying and cringy.

[@TheV8Pumpkin]

Anyone ever realize how INSANE the cast was? Jack black, Angelina Jolie, Jacki Chan, Seth Rogan, Michael Clarke freakin Duncan! And so many more A listers

[@120mmsmoothbore2]

Now that you put it like that, it really is insane.

[@rossstephen2568]

That has been dreamworks strategy for many films getting big stars

[@CluedUp23]

Van Dam too

[@heavenlysteel8337]

Ian McShane too

[@akiramakara2062]

It's even more interesting because usually a studio puts so much money into hiring big names that the quality of the movie suffers. This is one of the few times where that isn't the case!

[@alaricgoldkuhl155]

"Him?! He's a panda! You're a panda! What are you gonna do big guy? Sit on me?" One of my favorite scenes in movie history. Cracks me up every time.

[@gtbjay9495]

He ate those words lol

[@mynamejeff9072]

@@gtbjay9495 literally

[@nananyantakyi1549]

During the fight, panda sat on him multiple times..lol

[@eriktempelman2097]

... shortly after that, Po actually did sit on him, while both were falling down the stairs.

[@HR-pe2nu]

“Don’t tempt me”

[@Dafreshcut]

Tai Lung is basically what it means for one to put in tremendeous work into something and have the confidence that it will be enough and earn the validation of others as a result, only to realise all the work was not actually enough and the appreciation of others never comes. How can anyone not go insane after something like this?

[@blackice7408]

Most ppl lack empathy to realize

[@aff77141]

Not to mention having nobody who will catch you from that fall. Devastating, man.

[@YESSSSSSSSSSIRRRRRRR]

Watching this as a kid compared to watching it as an adult years later, it really hits different.

[@Night_Raptor_5991]

It's really a movie for all ages

[@zacharyrollick6169]

So many things do.

[@ElleVisTutorials]

Indeed 😭

[@your_dad_on_vacation]

I wish more animated movie's would have that kind of effect. When you watch it as a kid its like "oooo good guy and bad guy fight and look at all these cool characters I can vibe with" and when you watch it years later it's like "wow, I never knew that this character just wanted to be accepted and make their parental figure/everyone happy and all this other stuff"

[@tamarantsoele6100]

True

[@InvestedGman]

Even though he is a Villian, I can't help but feel bad for him, imagine all that hard work training till your bones snap and your sweat turns to blood, just to found out all that was for nothing when he was denied to be The dragon warrior and spend 20 Years locked up. Can you blame him???

[@JV-ie4rh]

Bro lost to a fat panda. I wouldn’t blame tai lung either.

[@fellowtexan9001]

And he was OP enough to beat the furious 5 at once...

[@thesavantart8480]

@heimer donger yea

[@WolfGr33d]

@@JV-ie4rh not just lost to a fat panda, lost to a fat panda who montaged maybe a weeks worth of time into gaining master level kung fu skills, something that took Tai Long his entire life to hone. It ain't right.

[@JV-ie4rh]

@@WolfGr33d moral of the story is be the main character and your set to master what others do in a week with montage music.

[@zionmcdonagh5063]

If you’re going to tell someone there is darkness in them, reinforce it by letting them know you can help them through it. Don’t confront a problem with another problem.

[@tilkibazil]

Isn't that Tigeress interpretation, since Oogway didn't talked to Tai Lung.

[@ThiagoSilva-gb2iv]

It's just like Sirius tells Harry: "We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on...that’s who we really are"

[@esconis5304]

They literally gave Tai Lung no advice. They probably didn't even talk to him after Oogway knocked him out.

[@trollgag5221]

Indeed. Oogway was just being a human genitalia..

[@Isometrix116]

@@trollgag5221 I’m not sure. I think the point is that through rejection, we learn humility. Tai Lung didn’t have humility, so he took it as an insult rather than an opportunity to reflect. Being told darkness was within him further pushing the point that he need to reflect, to look within himself to see what he desires truly and why. Tai Lung doesn’t do that. If he did, he would see that it was Shifu’s approval he desired, not the dragon scroll. It was also an opportunity for Shifu to reflect on what he was teaching his student. To see that he had built up such lofty expectations that no matter what Tai Lung did, he would feel like he never met them. It was meant as a lesson for both of them with just a few lines. Lessons like this are hard to teach because in trying to teach them directly, you subvert them. You have to teach them by proxy, and with people such as Tai Lung and Shifu, you must encourage them to find the lessons and teach themselves. If you try to teach them it, they’ll reject it. So, you have to plant the seed that becomes the lesson and hope that it grows.

[@matg1457]

“All I ever did was to make you proud!!! Tell me how proud of me you are” Those lines have so much emotions filled in them

[@archnebula]

What hurts me the most is also whenever he is tranining either as a cub or an young adult, either be by praticing or breaking things, he would ALWAYS look at shifu to see look on his face and whenever his father smiles at him, he feel's happy and proud of himself.

[@JDog2656]

I learned at an early age not to care so much about what my father thinks. I’ll appreciate the praise, but I don’t seek his validation to define my worth. I’ll be proud of myself when I do it on my terms.

[@brunopagnoncelli975]

@@JDog2656 bro you okay?

[@JDog2656]

@@brunopagnoncelli975 what?

[@brunopagnoncelli975]

@@JDog2656 some father issues?

[@JDog2656]

@@brunopagnoncelli975 not really. He’s dropped the ball a few times but he’s a good guy. Just not someone I look up to or feel the need to make proud.

[@shariqarain]

Can you imagine how Tai Lung may have turned out if Shifu told him that he was proud of him after he was denied the dragon scroll regardless of Oogway's decision.

[@nimish891]

Well yeah but then we wouldn't get the movie.

[@willm3539]

that would have been a short movie, with no lesson.

[@nanemmi_4966]

I mean, his heart was already evil, even i he didn't realize it himself. I don't think a simple "I'm proud of you" would have made much of a difference. He was already in too deep of the dragon scroll stuff so it would have been already too late

[@willm3539]

@@nanemmi_4966 You don't know that his heart is evil. This would have been before spending years in prison. The fact that you see his face change when Shifu said "he was always proud...", showed that it would have meant a lot if it was timed right.

[@nanemmi_4966]

@@willm3539 But didn't oogway say he had evil in his heart? Like, wasn't that the whole reason he didn't give him the scroll? And he was correct when in a tantrum Tai Lung destroyed the valley and killed innocent people because of it. I don't doubt a bit of love and appreciation would have made a significant change on Tai Lungs future, but I think a "I'm proud of you" right after Oogway denied him the scroll wouldn't have made much of a difference because at that time he was already corrupted. Probably a few "I'm proud of you and will always be" sprinkled in during his training for the dragon scroll would have made his future a bit better but, right after he was denied of the scroll probably wouldn't have changed anything. More than anything, it could have come across as more salt to the wound or something, who knows

[@jonathansmall6281]

And isn’t it funny how even though both Tai Lung and Po had been adopted, the one thing Po had no shortage of experiencing was humility, yet that was the one thing Tai Lung lacked

[@Extremezotako]

Yes ikr

[@scp--297]

Oh my god your right! Both fathers tried their hardest to raise their kids right but only one had humility which reflects a lot on Po. Even in later movies, Po dad is awesome and very down to earth.

[@haseebanjum3554]

YESSS

[@hugnboba]

Maybe because Shi Fu acted more like a teacher/mentor, whereas the goose acted more like a loving dad.

[@lonefish8128]

@@hugnboba good point

[@cactus7198]

That scene where Tai Lung stands proud, ready to receive the dragon scroll is sad. He must’ve felt like he was finally reaching his potential, his destiny. Like he was proving to the world that he shouldn’t have been abandoned on a doorstep. That it wasn’t a mistake to take him in and care for him. Only to be rejected because he harbored some mystery “inner darkness.” For the last time, he looks to his father for support. The man who always had a smile on his face every time he looked at him only showed shame, sadness, disappointment. Oogway and Shifu then literally turn their backs on Tai Lung, abandoning him on that doorstep all over again. With little more advice than “sucks to suck,” Tai Lungs life purpose, mission, and existence came crashing down watching Oogway and Shifu walk away.

[@theodoro3188]

This explains a lot dude It's no wonder Tai Lung went on a rampage, all of that fear and trauma of abandonment instilled into nothing but pure anger, which I think was the darkness in his heart

[@kinjorex101]

IMO the most heartbreaking part was his reaction when Shifu turned away. When Oogway rejected him, he looked upset, but more in a confused than hurt sort of way. He then almost instinctively looked at Shifu, seeming to genuinely believe his father figure would come to his defence, only for Shifu to reject him as well, causing his own world to come crashing down.

[@edvinjohansson4256]

@@theodoro3188 also by tellig tai lung about his apparent inner darkness, which no doubt there was him being a person who is heavily driven by his destiny this drove him to commit the atrocities as now his destiny had changed, it was not geatness and the dragonscroll it was darkness

[@thefirsttrillionaire2925]

Especially with the theory that oogway only rejected him as a test to see if he actually was ready for the scroll. @@theodoro3188

[@Neytiri935]

That is so sad. You really outlined the feelings he is harboring, and how he was broken by his father's rejection.

[@knuckle-sandwichmma681]

“its okay, son. im proud of you. you’re still the best thing that has happened to me and no scroll would ever change that” could have woken up the humility in tai lung that oogway thought he was lacking

[@esconis5304]

Shifu never taught him humility. He basically raised him like he’s special and the scroll is his destiny, whereas it’s not. Edit: why did I put shift Im always misspelling stuff...

[@seraphim108]

@@esconis5304 it's okay 🙂 English is a fucked up language anyways.

[@dominicsymonlee3267]

I am telling you guys nothing can alter the evil in his heart since shifu fed him with the scroll being this and that. After knkwing the truth that it contains nothing I doubt he would sit idly and be happt after working hard all these years knowing that you gain nothing. Even if shifu will say words like I am proud of you and will always be. That will not changed the fact that he was tricked into something being rewareded with nothing.

[@winstance4493]

@@esconis5304 the reason for that is because Shifu himself didn’t have humility

[@vinissues4634]

Humility wasn't a concept he was introduced early on

[@thecabbageman1]

I think the most tragic part about Tai Lung is the truth of the scroll itself. That there is no some secret ingerdient, some secret way to greatness and ultimate power. It's just you. What each person chooses to be and do. He was already great, and he could have achieved that greatness had he believed in himself and kept trying. But by the point he actually learns that answer, he is too far gone, to obsessed with that power to actually see it

[@daviemeister3355]

HOLY CRAP! MY HEAD HAS EXPLODED! (Initiate the “Bwuaaah” meme) That is very, very true. You are awesome, my dude.

[@mrwhom2188]

It's especially heartwrenching when he opens up the scroll and says "it's nothing!" while looking at his own reflection.

[@daviemeister3355]

@@mrwhom2188 that’s right!

[@thecabbageman1]

@@mrwhom2188 Yeah. That one is a hard moment to get through

[@cripplingdepression213]

@@mrwhom2188 holy fuck!! Double Mind Blown!!

[@Rhy2412TitanGamer]

The list of achievements Tai Lung demonstrated throughout the film were breathtaking. He singlehandedly defeated the furious 5. He traveled across the country in a matter of days (it's implied). He broke out of the most heavily guarded prison in the movie while making it look like a basic training regimen. & he even managed to temporarily hold his own against Po after all the fighting & travel without showing any fatigue. Fortunately, the moment he opened the scroll was the moment for him to truly understand what his journey was about. It wasn't about opening the scroll, it wasn't about getting validation from Shifu, it was about accepting the fact that he'll only get past his roadblocks & find the true answer by finding his own *internal* validation. Unfortunately, the reaction Tai Lung had is very... human. When you've been conditioned and told by important figures in your life that you're destined for greatness in something & you pour all your time, resources, & energy into it to make their beliefs a reality, only to have it be nothing, but the very person who's looking at it in the end with no true destiny to call their own & no real identity they have created for themself, is it any wonder why he became full of rage? Tai Lung is a cautionary tale about expectations. Make your own expectations. Do not allow someone to place them on you. You must find the answer for yourself, so when you meet your "dragon scroll" you won't face it with regret & emptiness, but with a sense of achievement & satisfaction.

[@MrJefferson07]

I can't, I don't manage to help myself.

[@eliellopez1224]

@@MrJefferson07 same

[@fancygg563]

Well said , kind sir! Thank you for these wise words.

[@drawnwithlove3499]

That's why I stopped listening to most of my family's suggestions for my future and their tedious criticisms. The expectations to becoming perfect because I was 'gifted' was too much for me. Please don't expect anyone to be some kind of superhuman, it can hurt more than help them

[@ouoArisu]

well said with such wise words ❤❤❤

[@arga400]

I think an underrated contrast in this movie is when Tai Lung looks at his reflection he says "it's nothing..." with the saddest face, but when Po looks at his own he says "it's just you" while smiling back at himself.

[@Neytiri935]

That is so interesting.

[@clarenceandgennymcneil251]

Whoa🤯

[@crumblemuffin1257]

The worst is that we can relate to Tai Lung. I mean,we had that moment where someone rose up our expectations and then out of nowhere it just blows on our faces. My favorite villain out of the three movies is Lord Shen,but it's Tai lung the one I relate the most

[@dabuff1319]

Lord shen is just as interesting as tai lung in terms of his views of morality. He's incapable of understanding how to be 'good' in a traditional sense, even before he tried to genocide the pandas he showed wicked qualities when apparently came from no where. Then he came back overjoyed believing that preventing his apparent defeat was a good thing but the reaction of his parents shocked him just as much as his actions shocked them. We see in his private moments that he acts evil even to people he apparently has a close bond with(the fortune teller goat)and he can interact with others like a normal human(peacock?) being but still can't understand traditional ideas of good. even when finally beaten he still can't comprehend why Po would spare him even when he tries to explain it. This is just my analysis of course.

[@o7o6o5o4o3]

Shen is totally my favourite too! Such a complex and dynamic character. KP2 is my favourite in the franchise just because of him, and I love all the movies. But I agree, Tai Lung's story is much more relatable if not as interesting as Shen. Imo, KP 1 and 2 did a really great job at creating tragic villains. Idk about 3 tho, kinda forgot about that one.

[@souhiyori8032]

Yesyes, Shen was a really good villain, but Tai Lung was a more relatable villain. Imagine being rejected by the people you're close to, and they stop contacting you for years. It mustve hurt him a lot and resented them. And the fact that that certain person who rejected him was his father figure. He couldve been redeemed but it's too late. How couldn't have been redeemed when no one even helped him at his lowest and darkest times. He is an understandable villain. Shen on the other hand is a arrogantly coward villain. He's too scared to face the truth, that his parents did loved him, and couldnt accept his fate until the end fight. He also has a personal thing going on with Po which made their dynamic even better. He's very serious with his goals, to the point of harming everything that's in his way (rip boss wolf you will be missed)

[@ddg0907]

It’s honestly appalling how underrated and unused Tai Lung is. His story is so deep, his character development is so intricate, and his badassery in unmatched. He’s my fav character out of the whole trilogy hands down.

[@konanxhidan3202]

Tai Lung is like Anakin Skywalker but better written. Tai Lung wasn't evil like the people portrayed him. Shifu failed him ! It was Shifu who determined Tai Lungs fate. He never teached him to be humble because Shifu wasn't humble himself. He also never teached him to accept a defeat, Tai Lung always had to be the best. Tai Lung didn't accept the apologize because it was already too *late* ,he was damaged. He choosed a path where he couldn't return (he propably murdered people). Shifu never visited his "son" in the 20 years where he was rotting in jail. Think about it, it says a lot...

[@OswaldM_14]

All of the villains are well written imo

[@arik2216]

Tai Lung for Quest on tekken or mortal kombat or Kungfu Panda game.

[@Bsweet117]

He should have been redeemed in Kung Fu Panda 3.

[@ddg0907]

@@Bsweet117 Exactly!

[@ngoctrand.6032]

Some facts about snow leopards: They are extremely introverted and non-aggressive. With the exception of hunting for food, snow leopards almost always back down a fight and run away from anything. Tai Lung has proven himself to be an outlier of his kind. In a way, he’s very much like Po who proved that panda can do Kungfu too.

[@Figure000]

They are definitely not non-aggressive. It's just hard to adapt to the mountains, their breathing is difficult, it's very cold, food is rare to come by. So its not worth it for them to waste precious energy. They are introverted and the nearest snow leopard is miles away, so that's why there is such a small amount of snow leopards. But nevertheless they are beasts, capable of jumping about as far as a school bus, easily climb mountains, and rip apart their prey with ease.

[@thecaptain291]

@@Figure000 but school buses can't jump /jk

[@krel3358]

I would say the Panda is a terrible moral example to children because the movie is essentially telling kids being a fat piece of shit who is humble is better than being a hard working narcisist. Both paths are wrong but it basicically is saying to kids and people that mediocrity is acceptable if you have a good heart which is completely wrong. If anything the movie should have shown Po developing discipline and losing weight as part of his training. Instead it basically tells people to magically hope that you become great due to your inherant bad qualities that are reinterpreted. Does Po ever learn Kung Fu properly? No hes a fucking slapstick buffoon like one of the three stooges. The movie is an utter abomination in terms of teaching anyone a lesson because it never goes all the way and never had Po truly earn anything on his own, he just falls into everything assbackwards and comes out on top. Kung Fu Panda would be a decent movie if the main character was never included but as it stands it seems like an insult to chinese culture and martial arts or anything vaguely spiritual. A better moral lesson could have been taught if say the main character was a monkey who lost his tail and had to adapt and get over the depression, anything other than an obese panda. Tai Lung and all the other characters were excellent but the overall story reeks of cultural subversion perpetrated by a tribe of people who hate tradition and do not like to work. Tai Lung is ultimately cast as the villain by this subverters because they themselves are weak and hate what is strong so they completely invert stories to cast themselves and their ideology within a chinese framework as a moral lesson as well as to brainwash children which is truly insidious as they mix good philosophy with the bad, they tell 100 truths in order to sell 1 lie.

[@lilyalan8522]

@@thecaptain291 he's talking about length bruh

[@STeelJAW823]

@@lilyalan8522 bruh indeed xd

[@tribal2199]

What I always found sad was that when Po is chosen as the dragon warrior, Shifu is against it and tries to argue with his master. When Tai Lung isn't chosen, he just seemed to accept it after hesitating for only a moment.

[@kimuires]

It says a lot about Shifus ego that I absolutely love Tai Lungs failure was *his* failure, therefore he was willing to accept that *he* wasn’t good enough, and in turn caused Tai Lung to feel as though he is worthless. He didn’t defend his son because he didn’t believe *he himself* deserved to be defended here. But Po comes in, a humble noodle guy who has never trained professionally in Kung Fu EVER, and becomes the Dragon Warrior? Having anyone be the Dragon Warrior that wasn’t personally trained by him made him absolutely *livid*. I 100% believe that even if Po wasn’t chosen and it was someone else who was “more capable” but WASN’T trained by Shifu himself he would’ve behaved the same way. It was all about his ego and need to control situations that made him vehemently against Po.

[@SilverMontegiu]

I think Shifu is so against Po as a dragon warrior specifically because of Tai Lung. Shifu just couldn't fathom that Tai Lung, his beloved son and best ever student, was unworthy of the scroll, whereas a random fat panda was worthy. Honestly, I think even if Po didn't land in front of Oogway and Tigress was chosen, he still wouldn't have accepted her fully as a Dragon Warrior, because in his mind whoever got the title should be better than Tai Lung. And he doesn't believe that anyone is better than him.

[@Tokyo-eg1wf]

The creators of Kung Fu Panda took a lot of inspiration from Chinese culture. And with that- came color representation. This can be seen in eye color. Po’s eyes are green, which symbolizes cleanliness in Chinese culture. This represents how Po is a clean slate for Shifu to work with- that he doesn’t have any of the same desires the rest of his students had. Tigress’ eyes are red, representing vitality and success. She is shown to be Shifu’s most successful student. And then there’s yellow/gold. Tai Lung’s eyes are gold, and in Chinese culture the color gold represents the center of everything along with good luck and heroism. Tai Lung’s eyes are gold because he’s the hero in his own eyes. He is the center of everything. Making himself better and becoming the best and the best hero he can be in the center of his entire world.

[@paolaanimator]

I love this comment, I never knew that the character's eye colors are representation/symbolism from Chinese culture. Thanks for explaining. Kung Fu Panda as a movie is very well done, I loved the movie!

[@joesdiner7320]

That’s some awesome symbolism

[@chocolatesquirrel2002]

I thought green was for cucks and Tai eyes are yellow because almost all big cats have yellow eyes

[@MoonkissedMintakan]

I have Amber, Honey, Golden eyes 👀 💛 ✨ it's very interesting learning new symbolism from different cultures so, that's awesome 👌 👏 Thanks for that lesson 😎 Kung fu panda was a cool Storyline with wonderful characters.

[@bigcrowe9573]

Green is also seen as evil

[@GrtSage]

Tai Lung is my favorite villain in the franchise. Not just because his escape, the fight against the 5 and his fight against Shifu. I love his motive. Shifu gave this kid dreams but didn’t defend him. When you are constantly told that you are destined for greats and train day and night for it how would you feel if the person that told you all this didn’t defend or gratify you when your at your lowest. Suddenly all that you’ve gone through was for nothing and the person who gave you these dreams failed you. Your parental figure didn’t comfort you when you were at your lowest and all your left with is rage.

[@daviemeister3355]

My mind is blown! You are absolutely right! This is most likely where Shifu went wrong. In fact, I would as far as to say that, Just like the Sage highlighted, you should never tell a child that they are destined for (said career path). This is because the child, in order to please said parent, will make that career their entire life’s goal and dream, and when they find out that they are not cut out for it, whether it be talent or just the mental pre-requisites that they lack, it can severely break them. When you really think about it, I am not defending his behaviour, but Tai Lung would NEVER have come to the conclusion of “well, since I can’t be dragon warrior I will just try something else” because what Shifu as a father, never taught him was how to TRY SOMETHING ELSE, and HOW TO FORGE YOUR OWN PATH. Because when the paths made by others have been filled and are rendered unavailable, you have nothing left to lean onto; ESPECIALLY, when you have been told your whole life that you were destined for those unachievable paths/roles/dreams.

[@eldritchkitty2396]

@Elijah Hunter Why are you repeating the same comment? 😂

[@jazay591]

@@eldritchkitty2396 why are you repeating the same comment? 😂

[@anonymouspokemon4623]

To add to this, everyone can "get the power of the Dragon Scroll" if they believe in something special to them. Unlike Po, Tai Lung had been unknowingly embracing the power of the Dragon Scroll for a long time. Tai Lung became so strong because he "got the extra power of the Dragon Scroll" thanks to his belief that he was destined to get the scroll. That's right, he already had the power of the Dragon Scroll and he was still searching for it. The scroll was his something special. Tai Lung never realized that part of his power was never his own. That's why Tai Lung could escape the prison, demolish the Furious Five, and overpower Shifu. Heck, even after facing the unexpected strength of the Dragon Warrior, Tai Lung still managed to defeat Po. Tai Lung would've never been able to do any of those had he not had the power of the Dragon Scroll. If you still don't believe me, Shifu said it himself when he saw the defeated Furious Five, "He has gotten stronger". How can you rot in jail for 20 years without being able to move a single muscle and be stronger than your past self? However, everything changed after Tai Lung opened the Dragon Scroll. He realized that something which was special to him was actually nothing special at all. At that point, he lost his belief, and thus, lost his powers, allowing the Dragon Warrior to defeat him.

[@yajats8675]

Nicely said brother

[@NostalgiaArtist]

Damn. What an excellent read on your part, I would've never thought of it that way but its so true..

[@justtosmash]

I always used to think that po got the powers of the dragon scroll at that particular moment but bruh....you said some good stuff there

[@tilkibazil]

That was excellent.

[@XiluxXivir]

This is the best realization that I've ever seen from anyone about this movie. Thankyou for making this comment sir, you deserve more likes.

[@shahenba]

Imagine being a straight A student with a 4.8 gpa and taking all the AP classes just for the principal Not to grove you the diploma. That’s basically what happened to Tai Lung

[@Versac3e]

damn i didnt think of it like this ....

[@phadenswandemil4345]

I was a great test-taker back when I was around 13 - 15. So i definitely heard a lot of the "you're destined for greatness" spiel from my teachers (It wasn't those exact words but they said something to similar effect). Around 16, i wasn't good at taking tests anymore. Not because i didn't study as hard but the subject matter changed and it didn't came as naturally to me anymore. I had built my identity up until that point being "the smart one", losing that identity was hard. Realising that being the best of the best was a pressure put onto me by my teachers, then being overlooked by them later on while they chased their next prodigy made me bitter. So yeah i can totally see whether tai lung is coming from. It's wild the kind of damaging labels adults put on kids without even knowing it.

[@kkdraws9052]

I am 16 and I feel exactly the same way. I went from the top of the class to just another student without anything that made me stand out to teachers.

[@thebcwonder4850]

@@kkdraws9052 same

[@phadenswandemil4345]

To all of you who can relate to this currently: it's going to be okay. I'm 19 this year and i don't feel bitter or ashamed anymore. Do i think my teachers could've done better? Absolutely. But that's not in my or our control. Before i was the top student, i was a nerd, i had always been a nerd. I am just in love with learning and creating. I love science and the arts and i have a considerable amount of knowledge about those things that i geek out about. There are things i can understand well and speak at length about that just aren't in my tests. And that's ok. Everyone is intelligent in their own way. You just have to learn how to define your intelligence in your own terms - your true intellect is something no one can take away from you. It's hard not having my studies come easily anymore. But that's just life - it was always going to be hard eventually, but you have to work with what you got and try to be the best you can. And like being at the top kinda alienates you a little. I think my friends didn't feel like i couldn't relate to their struggle. It's nice have ppl to commiserate with. Complaining about teachers, tests and homework is the an essential schooling experience. It's something that'll be a lot more funny to look back on in hindsight. Try your best. It's more important to not regret the choices you make, than waste time trying to win over someone else's validation.

[@unityedits3722]

Relatable. It still bothers me at 23 sometimes, because both in school and at home, it was drilled into me that a formal education was more important than anything, and if you jump through all the academic hoops, you'll not only be successful in life, but you'll be a worthwhile individual. Unlearning that kind of thinking has been a bitch, and I have yet to open up to my family about how badly this has damaged me, but I'm working on it, and every day that I do, I feel like a little more weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Hang in there, everyone. It does get easier.

[@En-ig9fv]

Welcome to the former "smart" kids society. We're all sad here

[@cameronhoward6083]

Denying tai lung the scroll was his final test to determine his worthiness. He couldn’t handle rejection and lashed out in anger.

[@SpeedBull545]

That's because he was never told to earn it, he was told he was destined for it. In his head it was his all along.

[@wyntertheicewyvern6226]

@@SpeedBull545 that was the message, and a beautiful one. Tai Lung trained so hard to get a destiny he was told he'd have. That's why he lost it when he was dismissed. Because of Shifu. Shifu loved Tai Lung, and though he meant well, he didn't teach Tai Lung humility. Shifu didn't have humility or patience, and he passed these traits on to Tai Lung. Had he told Tai Lung he could achieve greatness, Tai Lung would have worked hard, not to get the destiny he thought he was owed, but to earn himself a destiny.

[@nathanaelcrowder5442]

"Not your fault?! WHO FILLED MY HEAD WITH DREAMS?! WHO DROVE ME TO TRAIN UNTIL MY BONES CRACKED?! WHO DENIED ME MY DESTINY?! All I ever did, I did to make you proud! TELL ME HOW 'PROUD' YOU ARE, SHIFU! Tell me! TELL ME!" Tai Lung is a great character. He was a legend who will never die in our hearts. Even Shifu admitted himself that he can only hold him off, based on his feelings for him. I understand the frustration that people can hold if you work hard to accomplish your dreams, but that doesn't warrant Tai Lung the excuse to attack the village. Sorry if you heard shouting, but that was his voice, not mine.

[@random.64658]

Wow

[@crimsonthefierylion5318]

That all hurt me more then all of the movie

[@nathanaelcrowder5442]

@@crimsonthefierylion5318 Well, live with it, 'cause that's what Tai Lung said, not me.

[@crimsonthefierylion5318]

@@nathanaelcrowder5442 I know he did that why it hurt

[@omarthehandsome2968]

@reichstag oh my god hey everybody we got a tough guy 😲🫵

[@e-122psi3]

I kinda liked the detail that Tigress and Tai Lung's designs were very similar, angular, fierce and villain like designs compared to all the silly cute creatures around them (even Lord Shen and Kai look relatively goofier). It felt like a concerning sign of all the same embitterment affecting them, and that Tigress was THIS close to jumping off the same slippery slope as Tai Lung, especially when you look at their earlier selves and even how Tigress' design very shrewdly softened up in the later films after she had calmed down.

[@morisatsuki3659]

Tai Lung deserves all the praise and more. He's truly a tragically human character in his wants, beliefs and how he went down the dark path he did. In that moment when Shifu tells him he's proud and there's that glimmer of humanity before he snaps back to his single minded goal of the dragon scroll, its easy to pass off as "too far gone and quick to go back to his greedy ways", but I'd bargain he thought about it seriously for a moment. It takes decades in jail and a beating but he finally gets to hear that Shifu is proud of him. Does the scroll really matter that much anymore? Maybe not, but what if he did decide to stop? Doesnt seek the dragon scroll and tries to mend his dysfuncal relationship with Shifu after serving his time? The thing is, I dont think Tai Lung sees that as an option anymore. If he stopped, he would have to go back to prison. Even if he got out, he's terrorized the village and is a well known criminal. Who would accept and truly forgive him? He might have self doubt about whether Shifu really meant what he said or was making a move to save his own life. The doubt and rejection and weight of his past deeds would eat at him forever, if he didnt just rot in prison until he died. Seeing that as his only future, I think he decided to hell with it and to see it to the end. He's done so many wrongs, whats one more on the pile before he gets the dragon scroll? So while Im not sure he wanted it as much as he portrays after this moment, its really all he's got and that makes it so much sadder. He made his bed, so he's decided to lie in it.

[@quentinrosver9667]

Yeah it was more than the dragon scroll that mattered at that point. He felt really betrayed and hurt after basically training for years and denied, and he marinated in that self-hatred in the prison thinking all this time that he wasn't good enough. The fact that Shifu just silently agreed with Oogway made him probably feel even more betrayed.

[@hwanniggles187]

Its the only thing he knows for real

[@Blitzvonic]

To be fair you think decades in jail would be enough compensation for like destruction of property and assault. It's never stated that he actually killed anyone

[@Bobertgrimlin]

Sad

[@DundG]

@@Blitzvonic He was kept there out of fear. There was no indication he would just try to live a normal live and I guess Shifu never visiting him was the greatest mistake ever. But on the other hand maybe Shifu couldn't face him out of fear of the trauma he recoived after seeing his own son bring so dangerous and violent

[@khaiphamba5991]

"Every villain is the hero of his own story." The more I grow up, the more I understand and sympathize the villains in animated movies. Nobody is good or bad from the inside. It is just the surroundings that make them who they are. Thank you for making such a great in-depth analysis on one of my favorite villains.

[@khaiphamba5991]

@aaa ddd Because there is more to it. There's another thing called "characteristic". But basically, 9 out of 10 times, you are the reflection/production of the surroundings, the everything that you've made contact with. To put it simple, all that you have been through.

[@Iksvomid]

Shame people don't say the same thing about serial killers.

[@khaiphamba5991]

@@Iksvomid Serial killers have done much worse than animated movie villains.

[@Iksvomid]

@@khaiphamba5991 They are both villains, are they not?

[@khaiphamba5991]

@@Iksvomid Duck eggs and chicken eggs are both eggs, are they not?

[@Smashtacular01]

I genuinely felt the pain in Ian McShane's acting when he shouted 'TELL ME!' That always struck me. Even in the theater. Even now. It was a flawless performance. Shifu and Tai Lung's relationship was Shakespearean.

[@aguzzic]

True, but if you want to feel it more, please watch the latinamerican spanish edition. Its even more emotional the "Tell me" scene.

[@Tree_e888]

For that scene just made me sad

[@wilman.2802]

❤️

[@kaigomez2794]

Po and Tai Lung are literally the results of what help and acknowledgement can do for someone

[@Asgard72]

Mr Miyagi “There is no such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher.”

[@darklegion3693]

Wow... that hits hard for tai lung's case...

[@wyntertheicewyvern6226]

Exactly. Shifu was good at teaching skill, and discipline. But he failed to teach patience and humility. He let his love for Tai Lung blind him to what the snow lepard needed to learn.

[@dxshawn532]

@@wyntertheicewyvern6226 Yeah, those long hard cold nights sore from training when Tai just needed someone to touch and caress him but shifu was too busy eating ramen.

[@user-qx8vo8dz2w]

Which leads you to a paradox

[@auggiemain]

@yea parents are teachers too

[@GODEMPERORWOO]

“ALL I EVER DID, I DID TO MAKE YOU PROUD!” -Tai Lung.

[@enderwigin7387]

I really wanna say that to my parents

[@GODEMPERORWOO]

@@enderwigin7387 it doesnt have the same satisfaction irl

[@enderwigin7387]

@@GODEMPERORWOO ik, they wouldn't understand anyway

[@uh_huh_nuh_uh]

@@enderwigin7387 try to say it. I don't think you loose anything whatever the reaction would be

[@jamesmartin7323]

@@enderwigin7387 what have you really done with your life though son

[@an0rangutan]

The first Kung Fu Panda is super underrated, that was legitimately a pretty dang good film and extremely fun to watch, even if just from a fighting choreography standpoint.

[@travisbrown2149]

@@carswellcarswell2593 I thought 2 was good but not as good as the first IMO. The third was such a let down

[@lukefitton7329]

@@carswellcarswell2593 Tai Lung and Shen are on par for me. The reason I prefer the first film overall though is because Shifu is my favourite character and it was a lot about him. Plus every scene with Oogway was gold.

[@lukefitton7329]

@@carswellcarswell2593 not saying the first film is objectively better, I'm just biased because of Shifu tbh

[@shatterpointgames]

I think it's "rated" most people recognize how good it is. I don't think it's a film people complain about.

[@Spider20022]

Tai Lung is my favourite Kung Fu Panda villain from Dreamworks, his backstory is tragic, sad and humane. The tale of a failed student of a master has always touched me because, I feel bad for them, like fate or destiny played a cruel part in their stories and they fall to the dark side of their lives. When they return to face their former teachers, the fight between student and teacher becomes a emotional scene and at the end, the master admits their failure and wants to tell them that they are sorry for not being there when they needed them. This type of story never gets old for me.

[@dumbdenki3164]

Him grabbing a feather with his tail and releasing himself is such a power move.

[@albaraanajib5849]

It was zo badass

[@dumbdenki3164]

@@albaraanajib5849 hell yeah it was

[@Dat-Boi-Camoja]

No he is a fucking best

[@eddy-currents]

"Your story may not have a happy beginning. But that doesn't make you who you are. It's the rest of your story. Who you choose to be" ~ Goat soothsayer from Kungfu Panda 2

[@vapingfury4460]

this is so awesome i'm peeing right now

[@Seasonal-Shadow_4674]

8:16 But I thought this quote meant Destiny can’t be altered and free will is an Illusion

[@itsjustvin7630]

@@Seasonal-Shadow_4674 that's the thing with philosophy tho. It's never just one sole idea

[@chaoscontroller316]

It gives me similar vibes to Mewtwo's quote from the First Movie. *I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.*

[@Seasonal-Shadow_4674]

@@itsjustvin7630 but it’s still frustrating and confusing and I don’t know how to take it into consideration

[@saniakshay12]

I just rewatched this two or 3 months back and Tai Lung was shockingly much more sympathetic now that I am an adult. He is the kid that needed a hug from his parents but never got one and you can see how that affected him.

[@konanxhidan3202]

I NEVER saw Tai Lung as a villain. Shifu, his adoptive father, failed him ! It was Shifu who *determined* Tai Lungs fate. He never teached him to be humble because Shifu wasn't humble himself. He never teached him to accept a defeat, Tai Lung always had to be the best. Tai Lung didn't accept the apologize because it was already too *late* ,he was damaged. He choosed a path where he couldn't return (he propably murdered people). Shifu never visited his "son" in the 20 years where he was rotting in jail. Think about it, it says a lot...

[@efence4713]

I’m not sure if “needed a hug” is the best way to put it as in the flashbacks we can see that pre-betrayal shifu was extremely compassionate and loving. In my headcannon he misjudged that the only reason he earned that validation was because he was a skilled martial artist. But that’s pretty much that same idea and maybe what you meant. If you get a hug from your father and think it’s because you’re the best martial artist, then are told that you are not, what is it worth?

[@fightingmedialounge519]

Tai lung did attack innocent people kona x hidan.

[@konanxhidan3202]

@@fightingmedialounge519 I'mi pretty sure Tai Lung also killed people. The guards for sure, but propably not only them. Tai Lung was captured for 20 years (propably for life if he wouldn't escape) in a deep and dark place, isolated and couldn't move anything except for his tail while being bullied and abused by the guard. This was a fate worse than death, just because he tried to stole a scroll and attacked people in the village ?? When Tai Lung defeated Tigress and the others, Shifu also said the reason why he didn't killed them is because he wanted to frighten them. So based on their reaction killing was not something unfamiliar for him.

[@fightingmedialounge519]

@@konanxhidan3202 yeah, I was more so referring to what he did to the villagers after he was rejected by them.

[@Gutzy777]

To be honest If I were to work that hard all my life and get rejected than I'll be just like tai-lung Edited-MOM! I'M FAMOUS!

[@fightingmedialounge519]

That's... interesting considering some of his actions.

[@mohamedalahmadani5174]

What if there was a truly wise reason for what apparently seemed to be “rejection” that you may not have known?

[@Gutzy777]

@@mohamedalahmadani5174 True...🤔

[@christbenitez8797]

That's exactly what happen to Hitler. What could have been? If he was accepted in art school? The monster we knew and hate won't exist.

[@UnholyWrath3277]

​@@christbenitez8797hitler was just an extension or embodiment of the feelings of the german nation at the time. Had he not been the leader someone else would have there was no scenario in which germany didnt want a round 2 they had every incentive to do it. Now that new leader may have been slightly less methed up but wouldve certainly ended in an almost indentical manner

[@junioraguilar5780]

TAI LUNG: (In a rage) What I ever did, I did to make you proud! Tell how proud you are, Shifu! Tell me! TELL ME!! SHIFU: I…I have always been proud of you. From the first moment I’ve been proud of you, and it was my pride that blinded me. I loved you too much to see what you were becoming, what I was turning you into. I’m s - I’m sorry.

[@unityedits3722]

Look at Tai Lung's face right after he said this if you enjoy being in pain

[@shaun7002]

@@unityedits3722 he realized he regretted everything he’s done but then realized he was too far gone most likely and instead of forgiving shifu he wanted to scroll even more

[@marzialalfonzocanada888]

it was already far too late at that point......if shifu said that to him the first place things would've been different I think

[@marzialalfonzocanada888]

@Wajeeh Daouk " he was contemplating NOT to do it. but he CHOSE to follow anger " same anger that shifu had nurtured aswell for 20yrs when he left him to rot in jail with not a single apology the admiration and validation he wanted from shifu was already gone.....he chose anger cuz shifu did nothing to comfort him what kind of emotion will you have when you basically trained your whole entire life for something that was your goal only to be denied of that same goal and the only person you so wanted validation and praise from looked at you with disappointment and did nothing

[@marzialalfonzocanada888]

@Wajeeh Daouk " looked at him with disappointment " well with shifu not telling him anything of course he'll interpret it like that....which is why I said if shifu told him words of comfort and that he'll always be proud of him things could've been different but like Tai Lung said " when oogway said otherwise, what did you do?? WHAT DID YOU DO?? NOTHING " " he chose anger cuz shifu did nothing to comfort " oh yes 20yrs in prison without any visit or talk automatically makes apologizing ok like I said was already too late.... he wanted to hear those words for so long but shifu again did nothing he only did it when tai lung had him cornered he was even prepared to fight him when they met again shifu does deserve forgiveness yes he finally forgave himself aswell when he trained po and realized his mistakes.....but like I said it's already too late for tai lung to ask for forgiveness he's already broken to the point that his only goal is the dragon scroll and revenge for 20yrs of nothing

[@noeteves5050]

"ALL I EVER DID!!!! I DID TO MAKE YOU PROUD!!" Tai lung was a victim of a forced ambition. It's like saying your parents wanted you to be a doctor or lawyer while you just wanted to be an artist. It's like your parents' choice is your choice. This kinda depicts the asian stereo type.

[@notjazz.]

Not a victim fam 😹 zero accountability nowadays

[@GhostInPajamas]

@@notjazz. you don’t think parents should be accountable for how they raise they children?

[@notjazz.]

@@GhostInPajamas accountable for how they raised their children is not being accountable for their actions. We all make our decisions at the end of the day. You’re responsible for what you do, not your parents

[@BAEHELPJAYDO]

@@notjazz. Yes you are responsible for YOU'RE actions but if you're raised by you're parents to be a certain way then you're actions are a result of you're parents so yes the parents also share a responsibility but they aren't the ONLY ones to blame

[@notjazz.]

@@BAEHELPJAYDO 🥱🥱 if you’re contradicting yourself that’s called delusion. Get some self accountability in your life

[@PizzaBagels589]

I love how Po shatters the illusion of control Shifu has. On one hand, Shifu and Po's father were both exactly what Po needed to become the Dragon Warrior, by means of discipline and self-acceptance. On the flip side, Po's goofiness, unpredictability, and honest soul are what Shifu needed to not only smile again, but to also reach inner peace. Po helped Shifu release the lie that he could (or even needed to) control the people around him to make things work - to make things right. With Po, Shifu had no choice but to guide him (nurture him, as Oogway put it) to be the Dragon Warrior, not to force him. He could discipline him, but he could not control him like he could with the Furious Five. And with that (and the "secret ingredient" to noodle soup from his Father), Po fulfilled his destiny and defeated Tai Lung. Shifu reached inner peace, having his burdens lifted from him, and having released the obsession over control he once had.

[@greatwavefan397]

This is beautiful. My throat felt slightly tightened after reading this.

[@aidankocherhans9861]

@@greatwavefan397 Just thinking about several scenes from this movie does that to me.

[@antonioangeconeb3196]

Stfu

[@Sad.vocate]

5 star comment right here!!

[@erin6784]

Even Tai Lung's name translates and relays the expectation he had been built to attain. Tai, meaning great. Lung, meaning dragon. He was named Great Dragon, and, as he drug back to Shifu's attention, it was as though he was proclaimed The Great Dragon each time his name was said. "You knew I was the Dragon Warrior!"

[@rebeccah4732]

I will always love the juxtaposition of Tai Lung and Po at the end, with their reactions to the scroll and how they do or don't understand it. Because Po only came to realise the scroll's meaning not through Shifu but through his dad's advice (there is no secret ingredient). But Tai Lung grasped only the legends he was told under Shifu, and when it turns out to be anything less than greatness, anything *humble*, it breaks him. I think that Tai Lung forced/pressured/shaped into trying to fit the destiny of the dragon warrior so much it ruined his chances VS Po comibg from humble beginnings but being constantly forced away/rejected/dissuaded and and only excelling because of a steadfast humilty, in a way, is one of the best juxtapositions in the film.

[@HeyitsBri_]

I liked that you added how humility wasn’t considered greatness to him or Shifu as his mentor/and father. I also loved that you put in the part where Po was always taught that “there is no secret ingredient” because he didn’t get it at first but he remembered it from how he was raised. These are 2 big things a lot of ppl are missing.

[@gyungyunminmin]

This hits so close to home, my parents gave me love and always expected me to be at my best and do well in my studies. However, they never once told me that they were proud of me and they never really gave interest in supporting my passion like they did to my sister. All the emotions that was supposed to make me sad turned into anger towards them.

[@rupertgordonii6623]

Dang.......I hope things are better now

[@Blue-mj5gm]

Man I hope you live your passion anyway

[@loyal_makoto9031]

My cousin had a similar condition, her mother was proud of me, my brother. Never her and her younger sister

[@classicalmusicreplay]

Hey i faced quite same as ur situation. I hope everything will get better for me n u. 💗 ~L

[@crazymonkey1310]

🤓🤓🤓

[@personman4011]

Y'know, if Oogway knew what was in the Dragon Scroll, then the whole movie was solely caused by Oogway's intense need to troll Tai Lung.

[@stevendalloesingh1214]

wacky is as wacky does,....

[@CharizardMaster69]

it was to teach Tai Lung humility.

[@ipikush]

The scroll was meant to be interpreted, that's what Po does in the movie. He finds out that the reflection means anyone can become the Dragon Warrior if you believe in yourself. So, technically, Oogway didn't leave an empty scroll with nothing, Tai Lung trolled himself.

[@quasar9745]

@@CharizardMaster69 Nah it was for the trolls

[@Extremezotako]

YESSSS

[@kekero540]

One thing I love about Tai Lungs escape scene is that ever action taken against him is used to aid in his escape. Delegate sent to increase security - feather used to pick lock Ballistas? - used by Tai Lund to break his handcuffs and get out of the pit. Dynamite? - used by Tai lung to destroy the gate and it’s guards.

[@coolbeans3752]

My favorite Quote from this legend will always be; "Shifu taught you well, but he didn't teach you everything." That just proves how much faith he had in Tai Lung, but not the furious five. For all thier skill, tenacity and perseverance. Shifu never taught or loved anyone like he did Tai Lung, maybe he dreaded at the back of his mind they'd end up just like him.

[@lupoavanti5666]

it shows also the diferent between Tai Lung and Po at the end when po used this finger move (forgot the name) and Tai Lung said "Shifu didnt teach you this" and po answerd "no i figured it out "

[@antg2183]

@@lupoavanti5666 Wu-Shi finger hold.

[@sonicman9910]

@@lupoavanti5666 I thinl it was supposed to be chi that he used

[@V_Slade_V]

“Who filled my head with dreams, who drove me to train until my bones cracked, who denied me my destiny?” Growing up with parents who always had high expectations for me eventually led me to never be satisfied until I think I’ve done well. I always push myself too hard but I think it’s better than not pushing myself or not having any expectations at all. Edit: Wow I didn’t expect this to get attention. Just remember that no matter what happens in your life you’re stronger than you believe and smarter than you think. Give yourself some credit.

[@BOWEASE1]

why be content? always more more more

[@lunarcorpse]

I stopped doing my best when I realized that no matter how hard I tried it was never enough for my mom to be satisfied.

[@Yeovelyn]

Ikr? It’s like you’re being created just to fulfill your parents’ wishes, and before you know it, that has become your whole identity. And when you fail, it’s like your whole existence becomes meaningless and it doesn’t matter whether you alive or dead...

[@zacharyrollick6169]

I get that. I have zero self esteem, even with near perfection.

[@szymegg5291]

Thanks for reminding me that i'm not the only one. Stay strong boys... or not, maybe that's what we need, not to be strong. DONT BE STRONG, just let go.

[@kaz7690]

“Pride is not the opposite of shame, but it's source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.” -Uncle Iroh

[@butterflyphoenix6902]

Shame is the source of pride

[@shahadathhossain552]

@@butterflyphoenix6902 never ever talkback to uncle iroh

[@ejej_shej7958]

Relevant quote

[@EvanNagao]

@@butterflyphoenix6902 I agree with you, but Shahadath's response was too damn funny 😂

[@Insomniac11th]

One of the saddest part is that when tai lung got the scroll he looks like he was gonna cry like all his suffering in prison all his anger and training was for nothing when you see his reflection on the gold reflection almost like it’s showing how he truly feels because of this.

[@Salemwaaa]

He spent 20 years jailed trained for decades, all that blood spilled, bones broken and hours spent honing your craft and every ounce of effort in order to better yourself only to be denied your destiny by some nobody. Tai is a perfect example of how expectations to obtain someone’s approval can drive someone to desperation and how the weight of failure is taken to an extreme.

[@skilledswin6788]

By no one you mean a hardcore fan boy (po) whom some fucking how figured out how to send tai lung to the spurt realm

[@umairashraf5167]

@@skilledswin6788 po isn't exactly. Just some fanboy tho,if you remember the film,you see just how skilled he can be once he finds his motivation i.e food

[@chillone5140]

Hey don’t diss Oogway like that

[@VenomKpp]

An the worst part is in the jail he had nothing but himself and his thoughts. He probably just grew angrier and angrier replaying what happened and how he "failed," himself. At a certain point no person can come back from that much anger.

[@theapexfighter8741]

This “nobody” actually created Kung Fu...

[@n-tree3003]

7:09 - “by existing, he was already great” That is just amazing. So true. Wish more people understood that about themselves.

[@howdoichangemyusername9802]

I mean that’s pretty not true.

[@captaincap4931]

Thats just not true lmao

[@Mai-he7vq]

I think the replies just reinforce your point. It's gotten to a time where self-worthiness is an increasingly valuable quality to have.

[@J.B0009]

That's it. I believe it's a matter of inner belief.

[@lstkube]

i don't understand, to be great is to be better than others. existing on it's own doesn't make you better than anyone

[@shuttlecrossing1433]

A moment I think is frequently missed is right when Shifu tells Tai Lung he's sorry - in that moment of pause, Tai Lung genuinely considers redemption. If there was ever a moment for him to have it, that was it. But the weight of his past is too great, and he refuses. Immediately after, Po comes in, who in a sense is Shifu's choice to seek redemption realized.

[@sarthakkasera6587]

you can *LOVE* him you can *HATE* him but u cant *IGNORE* him

[@kaputt_jay3873]

FAXXXX AIN'T NO ONE IGNORING THIS HOTTIE

[@yosoyyomismo9757]

The mexican dub was superb. In that version, Tai Lung is nearly crying when he speaks with Shifu. Glorious.

[@chaddfrancis2179]

Now I want to hear it.

[@anotherbetaintheworld1746]

@@chaddfrancis2179 Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4Glp6ZnaqhloJo Around 2:40 is the most noticeable part

[@thegloriouskingkronk8422]

If memory serves, the "Tell me how proud you are, Shifu" was also done very well in German, although it has been a while since I watched the dub and I may be misremembering

[@mabelsan1133]

@@anotherbetaintheworld1746 omg thank you

[@willowbriar2976]

Yes! Oh ny gods I constantly remember this, I was so dissapointed when I heard the English version

[@mahmoudaboelnagaa6212]

"One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it" Those words were meant for Shifu not for Tai Lung, it was the feather of the messenger that Shifu sent, the thing that allowed Tai Lung to escape. Shifu sent the messenger to avoid him escaping.

[@timwilliams2887]

Wow

[@ZvChy281]

Yeah.. shifu sending the messenger started tai lung's escape.... oogway's words ring true..

[@richardroessler]

@Mahmoud But in the case of Tai Long this quotation is also true. "One often meets his destiny on the path he takes to avoid it." He wanted greatness and to reach it, he focused on getting the "dragon role", but on its long lasting way to get it he went angry and the negative case of becoming terrifying become true.

[@myles3856]

Oj

[@myles3856]

Ok

[@yesno2697]

Fun Fact: Gold is related to heroism in this movie. Tai Lung has gold eyes because he saw himself as the hero who deserves greatness.

[@vivienreysoriano1256]

Then you can add his grayish fur which completely represents coldness and together they make a contrast which describes him so well..."cold hero" or it can be "failed hero"

[@japalco6185]

@@vivienreysoriano1256 more like failed hero because is a depressing color something that is ruined, him becoming the dragon warrior meant being worthy of shifu's approval and not having that destroyed all of his motivation that's why he is depressed

[@vergil1155]

I think the only reason oogway was able to neutralize tai lung is because he was obsessed and focused on the scroll. This is why when his guard was down, oogway hit the pressure points and put him down. I think he was skilled enough to go one on one with the grand master himself. No telling who'd win though. He is by far the most skilled villain in the series using pure kung fu. The guy had tigress on the ropes choking in a matter of seconds.

[@ratedr7845]

Nah, oogway would whoop him

[@vergil1155]

@@ratedr7845 can't say. He was the most skilled in kung fu. If he could best shifu in a matter of minutes, he can take oogway. Like I said, he was distracted about the scroll so oogway took the opportunity to hit pressure points. Tai Lung was by far the quickest and impressive villain that's used pure kung fu skill.

[@soar_dfuzr7514]

@@vergil1155 depends on which place... If it's in the mortal realm.... Then Tai lung has a chance.... But if it's the spirit realm then he will get his ass whooped by oogway

[@wesleywallace4426]

It's the same thing. Tai Lung never understood the illusion of control while Master Oogway did. Oogway understands that he can't beat Tai Lung in physical endurance and conviction so of course if Oogway tries to defend the scroll or the valley he will lose without any doubt. So, what Master Oogway does he just waits right beside the scroll where Tai Lung was practically destined to make a jump for it. If Tai Lung did understand the illusion of control, he would realize even if the Dragon Scroll was in fact real it still wouldn't be worth risking his life for it. He already has everything he could ever need and learned whatever Shifu could possibly teach him. I would even say he has already served the punishment for his last offense and thus free to do whatever he wants. In that case, Oogway would be helpless even if he did chase him down and try to beat him. Tai Lung would practically be unstoppable in that case.

[@godfather53]

@@soar_dfuzr7514 He said pure kung fu skill

[@samperry5383]

I feel bad for Tai Lung he wasn't a villain he was a fallen hero

[@ryanalving3785]

I think most if not all villains are. The ultimate tragedy is that all evil is fallen good. Whatever else happens, it didn't have to end that way.

[@mavvynne444]

Antagonist is the better word to described him

[@jrr7031]

Like that one Jedi from knights of the old republic 2? The one who wore all white. Cant remember her name at this point.

[@fbafoundationalbuck-broken6011]

@@ryanalving3785 yes, your local rapist is just a fallen hero.

[@birdboy16]

@@fbafoundationalbuck-broken6011 I think they’re just referring to fictional heroes

[@projectknm8670]

This reminds me of something I thought about on the rewatch of Kung Fu Panda. I'm probably overthinking this, but this is just what came to mind back then, considering how invested Tai Lung was in the contents of the Dragon Scroll. When Tai Lung looks into the scroll, we see his reflection as he says "It's Nothing!", only for Po to respond "There is no secret ingredient; it's just you." as he smiles at his reflection in the scroll. I thought out loud, "Po, don't you get it? That's all he sees. He wasted his life for no power, no destiny. To him... ...it's nothing. HE'S nothing."

[@kui_maina]

Oh dear!!!my mind is blown.

[@MDG-mykys]

I've seen multiple comments about this

[@groudonfanatic9146]

The hype they gave him was not misplaced, he really did end up being as powerful as they made him out to be.

[@konanxhidan3202]

I really believe that Tai Lung was the *most powerful and the most intimidating.* People give all the credit to Shen (an incredible well-written character) but underestimate Tai Lungs intelligence ! The only problem with Tai Lung was his *obsession with the scroll.* During the fight with Po, he couldn't think rational because the only thing in his mind was the scroll. The same goes when he got attacked by Oogway (Tai Lung didn't planned anything). But just compare that to the *prison scene* ,where Tai Lung was thinking through EVERY PROBLEM thoroughly in just a *few seconds* ! He beated one thousand (powerful) guards not only with his skills, also because he planned everything. After Oogway, Tai Lung was the *first* student to master the thousands scrolls of Kung Fu !!

[@TsulaAngenati2292]

@@konanxhidan3202 well, Shen is the strongest due to his army, tactics, and technological superiority, but yes, Tai Lung himself is the strongest and best fighter Kai apparently has Tai Lungs Chi, I feel he willingly gave it to Kai to try and beat Po

[@giganticomega6821]

@@TsulaAngenati2292 Tai lung is physically stronger then shen and a WAY better fighter then shen skill wise.

[@TsulaAngenati2292]

@@giganticomega6821 well, Shen is explicitly proven not to be a master of king fu or at least he’s not as good as Tai Lung when he fought master Rhino

[@Ulekius]

@@konanxhidan3202 damn, I see you everywhere around these comments.

[@adamdymke8004]

I want everyone to remember that Tai Lung's punishment for attempting to steal the dragon scroll was to chained up, completely unable to move at the bottom of a dark pit underneath a mountain. Presumably for the rest of his life. Put in his position, we would all do something similar.

[@thesun5275]

That wasn't his only crime. We forgetting that he massacred a village? (it just says destroy, but he definitely killed people along the way) He is a victim, but that doesn't erase the villainous acts he committed along the way.

[@aurelian2668]

​@@thesun5275 yeah the real villain was shifus arrogance.

[@TrickF7T]

@@thesun5275he probably dodnt actually kill anyone as h would have no reason to, he only went for the scroll. The only people that would actually engage with him are shifu and oogway so tai lung's hands are probably clean in that regard

[@thesun5275]

@@TrickF7T If that was the case he never would have went and destroyed a village.

[@nnightkingj]

He did attack a village and he is too powerful to just allow him to roam freely as nobody but oogway could beat him

[@smitpandya2376]

"There are no accidents" ~Master Oogway "There are no Oogways" ~Master Accident

[@Luked4105]

oh no...

[@yashwanth8841]

😂

[@test-ti1xj]

Lmfao.

[@CoolSkeleton-zb9eu]

Meanwhile in an alternate universe "There are no master Oogways" -Accidents

[@eliashriki2775]

There are no bob, just happy ross's. "Accidents, happy mistakes"

[@kshitijkulshreshtha5505]

I think the main difference between Po and Tai Lung could be summarized by the following quote: "The fool didn't know it was impossible, so he achieved it."

[@tilkibazil]

so wise.

[@aureliano_37]

I got the idea but can you elaborate a bit ?

[@samsanjay7999]

@@aureliano_37 well po was a fool who believes he had it in him to be the greatness ever needed meanwhile tai lung needed the scroll to validate himself and thought only the scroll could fulfill him that made never realize his greatness and achive happiness

[@vinissues4634]

In fact he did. The difference is that he got "talent" and Tai got hard work

[@amanofhiswords3737]

how po is fool ? he’s just a life enjoyer who didn’t give a single fuck to Kung Fu.

[@douglasjarman1928]

"One often meets their destiny on the road trying to avoid it" Master Oogway. My favorite part about the prison break - If Shu Fu wouldn't have sent the duck to warn the guards Tai Lung never would have escaped.

[@suarza9343]

I’m kinda late but Master Oogway’s quote also goes for the second movie when Lord Shen was told he would be defeated by a warrior of black & white. Then he goes out to destroy all the pandas which Po then ends up in the Valley of Peace and then grows up to love Kung fu and becomes the dragon warrior who then defeats Shen.

[@bella-ee2dq]

“The young lord set out to change his fate, but what he did next... only sealed it”

[@toast6375]

@@suarza9343 extra ironic as he eventually becomes the black and white warrior that kills him as it was his own machine that ends him

[@zesterfrost_music]

This is why Kungfu Panda is a class above the rest of the 3d animation movies

[@fault.]

Underrated comment

[@박지수-b7s]

Tai Lung's each scene and each line will remain legendary in animation history. and his escape scene is still terrifying after 14 years from the movie's release

[@EmpiricalEmpoleon]

Watching this growing up, I never understood why I always felt bad for Tai Lung. I knew there was more to him, but I couldn't quite understand. Now, as an adult, I'd like to thank you for putting the things I saw and felt but couldn't explain as a child into words.

[@0pn.n596]

This 💯..i also could not get over the movie all those always knew there was something to it even as a kid

[@swordpegasus4032]

😀😀😀

[@knuckle-sandwichmma681]

as an adult you understand the importance of belief, emotional support, hard work or simple things like being told “im proud of you”. but ngl, i kinda always root for villains, they are just more exciting 99% of the time.

[@monsecookies-u7x]

I think one of the things that drove him to the edge was the fact that oogway said he was dark inside instead of helping him get rid of that darkness.

[@eliellopez1224]

It wasn't Oogway's responsibility at the end, it was Shifu's. Even if Oogway tried warning or helping Tai, he wouldn't have listened, for his only parenting figure was Shifu

[@Arixandrine]

@@eliellopez1224 And mind you, Shifu wasn't humble at all, and his raising of Tai made him even less so

[@chaitanyagupta6668]

@@Arixandrine yup. Po made him realize that.

[@jacobwiren8142]

Considering that the scroll doesn't actually have anything inside it, and that Shifu himself wasn't ready to know that, the raising of Tai Lung was probably meant to be a test to help Shifu improve as well...

[@monsecookies-u7x]

@@jacobwiren8142 true, but in the process it hurt someone else.

[@CFSChickenfriedsteak]

I remember being little and seeing the part where he uses his tail and feather to unlock the seal, my jaw dropped cause he was hyped up.

[@ethanz3837]

Tai Lung’s athleticism and backstory is inspiring. Such a good character. The escape scene is incredible.

[@shawnpant3535]

Tai lung is on of the coolest characters in all animated history. And I’m not changing my mind ever. I mean just look at that prison break scene dude. Coolest thing I’ve ever seen

[@lumpystilskin5367]

I used to hate Tai Lung as a kid but now, I feel sympathy for the guy.

[@dariusbrock2713]

@@lumpystilskin5367 lol watching tai lung as a kid for the first time scared tf outta me, i didnt even hate him, he was too damn menacing, ever since the prison break i was scared for all the characters he faced. They made it quite brutal for a children's cartoon. Ofc he too became my fav character

[@haragull_1995]

the prison break scene was a core memory, what a character

[@IsthatJosh]

@@dariusbrock2713 yeah I feel like if he was still alive he would’ve been able to actually defeat all the enemies in later movies rather easily

[@wreylax6068]

@@dariusbrock2713 prison break scene as a kid made tai lung my favorite character just becuz he was cool

[@Kaipyro67ALT]

Something a lot of people seem to be missing is that Tai Lung lacked humility because Shifu did as well. Part of Shifu's character growth in this film is realizing that he has to let go of his pride and sense of control and just sit down and truly understand. He could not achieve inner peace because he saw everything as a distraction or a nuisance. Oogway told him "One often meets his destiny on the path he takes to avoid it" and ignored him. Shifu refers to Po as "Panda" for the entire film until he finally learns and accepts him for who he is by training him properly. And through that training, Shifu learns humility himself. Tai Lung was doomed from the start and it wasn't his fault, but Shifu just saying "I'm proud of you" or "I love you, son" wouldn't have saved him. It may have driven him more mad.

[@Guilherme_1y]

Tai lung was already doomed history had already been written after all "there are no accidents"

[@speedracer2008]

You're absolutely right. Shifu had to learn humility. As a result of his pride, Shifu refused to believe that a fat, clumsy panda, like Po, could be the Dragon Warrior. In addition, he refused to let himself take the time to train Po, because he believed Po could never be the warrior he wanted and worked so hard to train. Ultimately, Oogway taught him the importance of letting go of who he thought the Dragon Warrior could be and seeing the value in Po as a warrior. This helped Shifu become a better person.

[@fightingmedialounge519]

Wouldn't really say it's not his fault considering he attacked village without any motive.

[@menace2774]

“As Kids we love the HEROES, as Adults we understand the VILLAINS.”

[@s2aguilar197]

Who said this plz

[@seliamila1005]

depends on the villains

[@DesertCentipede]

@@seliamila1005 no one like ISIS and neither wants to understand

[@frieza2235]

@@s2aguilar197 donald trump

[@zeroone9997]

My grandfather still dont understand hitler