In light of the trailer Kung Fu Panda 4 being released, I thought I'd share my thoughts on one of favourite scenes in the whole franchise.
In the previous scene, Tai Lung tries to demean Po by calling him a "big fat panda," an insult that Po heard throughout his entire life. And how does Po respond: HE FRICKIN' OWNS IT!!!!!
That's what's so poignant about the message of the movie: it not about changing who yourself, it's about changing how you see yourself. Po's journey was about realizing that the qualities that OTHER PEOPLE saw as burdens, weaknesses, and faults (particularly his appetite and body shape) WERE IN FACT HIS GREATEST STRENGTHS, THINGS THAT ULTIMATELY HELPED HIM SUCCEED!!!!! As Po's father beautifully put it, "to make something special, you have to believe it's special!"
It's a beautiful message, and as someone who's an aroace autisitc, it's one that resonates with me that much more!