Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda – 2008

***½ Out of ****

Kung Fu Panda is welcome addition to the yearly line-up of animated films, primarily distinguishable due to its focus on action, and martial arts sequences, in place of pop-culture references and crude slapstick. It is the first film since The Incredibles to boast such stellar high energy sequences, along with mesmerizing animation and impeccable voice work. These segments are by no means violent, or even thrilling to the extent that younger viewers may be put off, but always respectful of its audience, and the subject matter.

It may have taken longer then executives would have wished, but Dreamworks animation can finally claim itself in the same ballpark as its Pixar rivals. With last years Bee Movie (A favourite of mine) and the Shrek legacy to its name, both in technical achievement and story, they have improved in spades. The landscapes are delicate and beautiful, radiating with an aura similar to an oriental painting. The detail in the characters, the movement of hair and fur rivals that of any previous animation and the cinematography is beyond anything that is expected in an animated picture. It always impresses me how the artists involved are able to make their creations look like the actors voicing them; making Jack Black into a recognizable panda is not simple feat.

Despite Kung Fu Panda’s technical brilliance, the movie is above all hilarious, but never at the expense of any characters dignity, or cheap jabs. Even Po, the clumsy but lovable Panda (voiced by Jack Black) is never a target for tasteless humour or mean spirited depictions. Indecently, it is also Black’s Po that scores all the laughs. Often in animated film, it is supporting roles from quirky and well-known actors that steal the lime light, but aside from Dustin Hoffman, it is our `Black` and white hero that is central to this films success.

Po has a dream. Working at his fathers noodle shop, he dreams of becoming a martial arts master. He envy’s the infamous Furious Five, a band of Kung Fu legends, studying under their master Shifu (Hoffman) hidden away in the glorious palace which overshadows his small family business. But Po has no intention of allowing himself to fall to the position of a noodle jockey, and when it is announced that a new dragon warrior is to be chosen it is he that incidentally lands the position. Under the disbelieving gaze of the Five; Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Set Rogen), Viper (Lucy Lui) and Crane (David Cross) and their master Shifu, the five attempt to drive Po out of their elite circle. But when the terrifying Tai Lung (Ian McShane) a former student of Shifu, hell-bent on revenge and power, escapes in spectacular fashion from a Rhino guarded prison, and the Five fail to halt his progress towards the town, it is up to Po to confront his destiny and prove what he can do.

When all is said and punched, Kung Fu Panda is just a whole lot of fun, and is easily enjoyed by people of all ages. There may not be the blatant references for adults as in some films, but this flick is better then that and relies more on its dialogue, execution and the story itself to entertain. There is clearly no subtlety in the title of Kung Fu Panda; you definitely know what you are going to get. Fortunately for those who make the wise decision to see this film, what you get is a highly entertaining, warm-hearted family experience that more then Kung Fu fanatics will want to watch again and again.