Review: ‘Kung-Fu Panda’

Travis:

Kung Fu Panda is the newest addition to DreamWorks’ collection of animated features, which now includes a total of twelve films. After the success of the Shrek trilogy (soon to be quadrilogy?), Kung Fu Panda is by far the best, followed closely by Over the Hedge. Kung Fu Panda tells the story of Po (voiced by Jack Black), a clumsy, lovable fat panda who reluctantly works in his father’s noodle restaurant. What his father doesn’t know is that Po dreams of being a Kung Fu master just like his heroes, the Furious Five. These five are Master Tigress (voiced by Anjelina Jolie), Master Viper (voiced by Lucy Liu), Master Crane (voiced by David Cross), Master Mantis (voiced by Seth Rogen) and Master Monkey (voiced by Jackie Chan).

These Furious Five are led by their trainer, Master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman). Master Oogway (voiced by Randall Duk Kim) has a vision and alerts Shifu of the inevitable return of the evil Tai Lung (voiced by Ian McShane). Shifu is especially concerned by this revelation and fears the worst from the imprisoned Kung Fu master, whom once threatened their peaceful land. Oogway decides it is time to choose who shall become the Dragon Warrior, the only person who can defeat Tai Lung. The entire valley gathers to witness which of the Furious Five will be chosen and given the honor of receiving the legendary Dragon Scroll, said to give its recipient great powers.

Upon hearing of this great event, Po struggles to reach the top of the great mountain at which the ceremony will be held. There are many, many steps … and for a fat panda, that’s a real pain in the rump. Kung Fu Panda is essentially another story of one unlikely character overcoming all odds to achieve his dreams. That’s great, but its also what virtually all of these animated kid’s movies are about. No, the real fun factor here is the casting, which make for an absolutely hilarious, while also slightly enlightening, movie for all ages. Jack Black is excellent, maintaining a healthy but not overdone flow of humor and heart as the story progresses. Hoffman also does a great job in the role of the Mr. Miyagi type teacher. Personally, I got a lot of joy out of the Oogway character, whose contributions were more philosophical than humorous. His scenes offer thoughtfully poignant moments, rarely seen in such movies.

The ending of Kung Fu Panda will serve as no surprise (NO, I’m still not going to give it away … when will you learn?), but its the journey that makes this adventure so enjoyable. For the more seasoned and eclectic viewers out there, Kung Fu Panda also offers a different kind of entertainment … despite being an animated kid’s movie, it actually has some great martial arts action. Those who have a history of indulging in the many great classics of the martial arts genre, will find this element of Kung Fu Panda rewarding as well.

(4 out of 5)

Zac:

The latest addition to the DreamWorks Animation catalog is one of their best, coming not far behind Shrek as one of their best efforts yet.
The film is about the training and ascension of a wannabe Kung Fu Master, Po, an overweight Panda that worships the Furious Five and the Masters of the Jade Temple that looms up an endless staircase above his town in the Valley of Peace. He dreams of fighting along side them defeating countless foes even though he is stuck making noodles with his “father,” a duck, called Mr. Ping. Ping dreams of Po taking over the business while Po dreams of Kung Fu.
Presiding over the Furious Five, Tigress, Viper, Crane, Monkey, and Mantis, is Shifu who trains and observes their everyday activities as they prepare to possibly be named chosen to be the Dragon Warrior who will get to look upon the Dragon Scroll and learn the secret to limitless power and ability. Shifu’s master, and the originator of the martial arts, is a turtle named Oogway, who has a vision of the return of Tai Lung, a rouge pupil of Shifu who was as masterful as any, but craved the power of being the Dragon Warrior. Tai Lung was imprisoned after ravaging the Valley of Peace and is under strict lock and key in a prison made for one.
Upon his vision, Oogway decides it is time to name the Dragon Warrior. Po accidentally is chosen and Shifu reluctantly begins to “train” him as he tries to get him to wash out of the process. The Furious Five have a mixed reception to the new student, with Tigress taking the greatest exception as she thought she was destined for the role of Dragon Warrior.
To say more would be a disservice as I have shared a lot, but nothing you couldn’t have found in the trailer. The film however has plenty you couldn’t find there as well. The film is consistently funny and Jack Black’s Po is just full of energy, spirit, will, and humor. Po is constantly entertaining, jokes rarely fall flat around him, and Jack Black captures the character wonderfully. The film focuses mainly on Shifu’s struggle with Oogway’s decisions and Po’s struggles with dealing and training with Shifu. We are given intriguing glimpses into the history of this world through excellent flashbacks and compelling back story of Shifu and Tai Lung as well as some real emotional pull. Shifu, voiced by the excellent Dustin Hoffman, is one of the more complex and deep characters in animated films in a while and is a joy to watch on screen.
The Furious Five cast does well for what they are given, and one of the let downs is that we didn’t get to see more of them. Many of them are constrained to just a few lines here and there, with Angelina Jolie getting the brunt of the work as the bitter Tigress. Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, and David Cross all get decent bits of humor throughout the film as Monkey, Mantis, and Crane, with Lucy Liu as Viper having little to nothing to say most of the time. Though the actors don’t have a lot to say, their characters have plenty to do, and kick some serious butt doing it. Their big action set piece on a bridge is fantastic and imaginative extended fight scene. The real stand out scene of the film, and is going to be tough to beat over the course of the summer, is the absolutely awe inspiring and breathtaking escape scene of Tai Lung, unbelievably awesome; worth of the price of admission alone. Thankfully so is the rest of the film, with some wicked action bits and training scenes and a story that isn’t really that original, but sends a good message to the target audience, kids, while also being extremely entertaining to all ages.
Lastly, all of the animation is superb with a cool blend of varying 2-d and 3-d styles and cool uses of slow mo in all of the right places. The Kung Fu action is also well choreographed and looks really great as the combatants fight and fly around some beautiful Chinese inspired scenery.
In the end, Kung Fu Panda is a great animated family film for all ages. Awesome action, great characters, and probably the coolest scene I have seen in a theater all year. Wall-E has some competition this month, but regardless how that one turns out, Kung Fu Panda will stand as an excellent work and one of the better animated films of the last few years, and probably the best non-Pixar animated products you will see in a while.

(4.25 out of 5)

Ram Man:

Jack Black has finally found his niche’ …find a role where we don’t have to look at you! I give you Kung-Fu Panda. This is the story of a slacker Panda who dreams of becoming a master in the art of Kung-Fu. Po the Panda (Jack Black) worships the town masters who go by the named the Furious Five. The “Furious Five” are made up of the voices from an A-List of actors: Tigress-Angelina Jolie, Viper- Lucy Liu, Monkey- Jackie Chan, Mantis- Seth Rogan and Crane-David Cross. Their leader, a small “yoda” type raccoon, named Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), must pick a new Dragon warrior from the five to defend the village from a Snow Leopard named Tai Lung (Ian McShane-Deadwood). Tai Lung is Shifu former student that turned bad and vowed revenge and to someday become the Dragon Warrior! All together now “VADER” !

Po, our slacker Panda, finds himself smack in the middle of the ceremony and ends up being chjosen as the new Dragon Warrior! Now he must train and fight the mighty Tai Lung. This doesn’t sit well with our furry friend or with the Furious Five! Po’s only gain to fame is an appetite that would put Fat Albert to shame!

Dreamworks animation has done a great job on Kung-Fu Panda. The characters facial expression remind you of the person who is voicing them. The first dream “action” sequence is fantastic and has Po as a master of Kung-Fu fighting thousands of ninja alligators. AWSOME! Plus we were lucky enought to catch the IMAX showing which really made the movie “pop”. The story was cute and funny enough to keep and adult entertained …but this one is for the kids (7-16)! Enjoy Kung-Fu Panda and beware his mighty Panda Belly Attack!!!!!

[rating: 4/5]