Hard Boiled is an animated film with a plot line that offers a Mulan and Pokemon blend. This story features three kung fu apprentices who must take on the Black Raven Clan, a rowdy kung fu pack that has stolen the temple’s green egg that holds all of the martial arts power.
Tik-tik the monkey, Radesha the rabbit, and Free Range the rooster want to protect the village surrounding the temple, but the Black Raven Clan has already burned it to the ground, which reminds me of the Huns in Mulan that invaded and burned small villages. The three friends’ need for justice propels them to find the Grand Master, who leaves a message for how to find the green egg and restore their community.
Similar to Pokemon, good versus bad collides with kung fu, and sometimes characters use blades and axes, but as true to most cartoons, there isn’t any gore, violence, or blood involved. Several characters call each other names, like “slime ball,” “idiot,” etc., but no heavier words are used. Parents want to be aware of the Asian religious influence in this film, including the power of meditation and the idea of life after death being quite different from the Christian belief of meeting God.
Though some of the themes just mentioned are cause for conversation, the overall respect for honor, loyalty, and protecting what is right earns this film Dove-approval for All Ages.
The Dove Take:
This animated film features lots of action as three animal friends set out on a quest to restore the good in kung fu.
