Kung Fu Panda is the latest CGI kid flick from the studio that unleashed Shrek on the world and one that, despite a top-notch voice cast and some beautiful visuals, tells a stale tale and gets a little too fast and furious with its numerous martial arts sequences.
Kids, though, will get a kick out of the title character, a chubby and insecure Panda bear named Po (Jack Black) who must learn some serious Kung Fu in time to save his village from destruction by a revenge-minded Kung Fu master (Ian McShane).
It’s a story of the believe-in-yourself variety (with an inspired opening sequence) that hits all the expected notes and includes the requisite happy ending and jokes about Po’s size.
The fighting scenes are plentiful and some, like the climactic showdown, are even inventive and fun to watch. But others, like the villain’s escape from prison and his subsequent confrontation on a bridge with Po’s martial arts colleagues, feel frantic and over thought and designed for tots with A.D.D.
But Black is perfect as Po, and the supporting troupe of characters are entertainingly voiced by Dustin Hoffman, David Cross, Angelina Jolie, and Seth Rogen (hilarious). Best of all, though, is McShane, whose velvety burr lends his character, and the film, some real substance.
As do some of the simply gorgeous background visuals, like pink peach petals blowing in the wind and the sight of cloud-shrouded mountains against the light of a rising sun. And the film ends, appropriately, with a new and energetic version of “Kung Fu Fighting”.
Animation/Action/Comedy/Family
Rated PG
DVD Release Date: 11/9/08