Jack Black voices an overweight kung fu wanna-be in this great Dreamworks animated flick...
Now with Full Review!
Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around...which doesn't exactly come in handy while working every day in his family's noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five -- Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey -- under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it's up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart - and his girth - into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.
Starring (Voices):Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Ian McShane, David Cross, Seth Rogen, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Hong, Randall Duk Kim, Dan Fogler
So I lied On Friday when I said I'd go see Zohan over Kung Fu Panda... well technically I didn't - I was ambivalent to which I'd rather see, and a coin toss determined the winner - Kung Fu Panda.
I wasn't let down by my decision, and apparently the rest of the world agrees with me that Pandas voiced by Jack Black are now officially funnier than Adam Sandler as a hairdresser.
I can't say I blame them - while I did see the film (ill-advised as it was) on a Saturday afternoon (which, as you know, is prime diaper-pooping time) in a theater full of children, it was also half-packed full of adults, some of which, like myself, weren't parents. And the best part is that the adults were laughing more frequently than the kids. That's what Dreamworks does right - they make films for kids that parents enjoy.
While Kung Fu Panda is, technically, one of those "feel-good", "there's a moral to be learned" movie, it's also funny and jam-packed with more CGI action than Iron Man was. Beautifully choreographed fight scenes spliced with cute humor kept even ME interested, as well as the 100-or-so kids in the audience.
Oh, and "SKADOOSH" is the new "BOOSH":
The voice acting is amazing, Dustin Hoffman and Jack Black bearing the brunt of the work, with Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogan, Lucy Lui, David Cross, and Jackie Chan all providing back-up.
The animation, however, was what really impressed me about the film. The opening sequence is a Samurai Jack-esque opening, with inked brush-stroke art telling a sequence that was breathtaking. And the CGI in the rest of the film was incredible, from the fur and grass blowing in the wind to the lighting effects on fire and explosions - simply breathtaking.
So regardless of you inclinations on "kids movies", see Kung Fu Panda - you'll be laughing and on the edge of your seat at the same time. Dreamworks has done it again (so expect to see the franchise beaten into the ground via sequels soon!).
My Verdict: SEE IT
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User Comments
Luis1971
Rating 9.6 - 2008-12-30 19:23:33
I hesitated to watch this but I am so glad I did. Good Family movie, very funny.
BeerStarr
Rating 9.5 - 2008-11-30 21:27:12
capsilus said: It is a very funny movie, I would recommend it. Both Pixar and Dreamworks are great at making these type of movies.
I agree, dreamworks and pixar never fail!!! Make grown men like kid movies!!! I definetly gotta watch this one, heard its hilarious!!!
capsilus
Rating 9.1 - 2008-06-14 17:08:15
It is a very funny movie, I would recommend it. Both Pixar and Dreamworks are great at making these type of movies.