Featured Review: KUNG FU PANDA

Kung Fu Panda


Starring- Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Jackie Chan



Directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson



Grade: B





"I'm not a big fat panda. I'm the big fat panda!"

Right out of the gate, Kung Fu Panda's marketing in movie theatres ("Hey you with the cell phone...") months beforehand made the film somewhat undesirable. We get it; Jack Black, a jovial, rotund, energetic sort of actor, voices a jovial, rotund, energetic panda. No stretch there. With the dearth of CGI-animated films being shoved out, titles such as Valiant, Flushed Away, The Wild, Over The Hedge etc, long forgotten about, can Panda compete?

Surprising to say, but while Kung Fu Panda is far from a perfect family film, it does succeed in entertaining the same way as the lesser of Pixar's films do. A cliche story, mixed with some genuine affection and humor, and some murky, mixed feel-good messages to kids, and Dreamworks' has its first true hit outside of the Shrek franchise.

Kung Fu Panda actually starts off very strong. We learn, much like in a traditional Chinese folklore, of the predetermined fate of Po (Black), a clumsy but good-natured giant panda who's not expected of anything but to make noodles for his father. It's when he attempts to join his neighbors in celebrating the revealing of the chosen 'Dragon Warrior' that things kick off.

Many of the early moments of the film is quick-paced and humorous, appealing especially to kids. Po gets into comedic violence often, but it's usually pretty tame. Getting into the walled off temple that the christening takes place is an especially realized piece of the film.

Panda does, however, lose steam into the second half. After a brilliantly drawn scene showing the evil Tai Lung (McShane) escaping from his prison, the film gets pretty heavily caught up in its own message, one that when lighthearted works best, but gets poured on as the film progresses.

The basic theme is that no matter who you are or what you are, if you believe in yourself, you have the power to do anything, and that each and every thing can be special. Whether that be fighting a warrior that's much stronger and faster than you, or climbing a bunch of cabinets to eat almond cookies. This gets mixed up a little. At times it seems like the message is trying to deconstruct body image issues, saying to kids "it's okay if you're fat, you can still achieve great things, like being a master at kung fu!". But remember, pandas have fat deposits, it's part of their body makeup. Childhood obesity isn't.

Another mixed reaction to the film is the voice cast. Black brings his personality perfectly to Po, using his enthusiasm to sell the panda as a lovable, lazy goof. Dustin Hoffman is fun as well as Shifu, Po's rat-like kung fu master. At times Hoffman sounds more Jewish than Chinese, but his grandfatherly voice casts a warm tone over his sometimes demeaning character. But while they, and McShane's dastardly villain voice are the highlights, everyone else gets lost in the shuffle.

Angelina Jolie's Tigress is mostly forgettable, at least for as much star power as her name commands. Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, and David Cross, while being recognized, are under utilized. Worst of all is Jackie Chan, voicing the Monkey. He had maybe two or three lines and I can't remember what any of them were, let alone figure out it was Chan until the credits rolled.

Otherwise, Kung Fu Panda was a pleasant animated film, maybe one of the best not put out by Pixar. Unlike Shrek and it's counterparts, Panda doesn't pander to parents with quick pop culture references that go stale in three years. It relies on its story, for better or worse. Panda doesn't quite endear like Horton Hears A Who!, and will probably fall to third when Wall-E is released, but still a minor feat unto itself considering how much we all dreaded the cell phone commercial.