Release Date: June 6th, 2008 Studio: Dreamworks MPAA Rating: PG Genre: Action •
Comedy •
Animated Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson Writers: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim, James Hong, Dan Fogler, Michael Clarke Duncan, Wayne Knight, Kyle Gass, Laura Kightlinger, Tanya Haden Synopsis: Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po (Jack Black) 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 (Angelina Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Monkey (Jackie Chan)-under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) 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 into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths. The Review: A few years ago some friends and I were talking about who they'd want to play them if a movie was made about thier lives. A stupid question since unless it was made right then and there these roles would be played by some unknown or up and coming actors…and more than likely someone from High School Musical would end up playing “The Mikey”..*sigh*. At any rate my one and only choice was Jack Black. Sure most guys would love to imagine a Clooney, Pitt, or Robert Downey Jr playing a movie version of themselves but I know myself far too well for that and it has to be a slightly overweight goofball like Black for me. I must have been hit the target because everyone agreed with my choice and at least one of them told me right after the screening that they imagined me as The Kung Fu Panda. While some would see that as a slight I’m thrilled by it.
So it goes without saying that I have always enjoyed Jack Black, not all of his movies but the man himself. Now Black playing a fat lazy Panda who dreams of being a Kung Fu master? Talk about type casting! HA!
Now that I’ve run you through my love of Jack Black lets talk about my love of Kung Fu; Mikey loves him some kung fu. Sure there is a lot of really lame kung fu flicks out there but there are some real works of beauty and stunning displays of martial arts mayhem as well. Like any other genre you have to strain it well before finding something enjoyable.
With Kung Fu Panda I got my Jack Black and my Kung Fu mix….but was it moldy tofu or delicious dumplings?
I’m happy to report that it’s all dumplings! Not only is Jack in full lovable screwball mode the Kung Fu is actually pretty bad ass!
The Panda Report Card:
Characters: B+
Some great voice casting here. I wouldn’t have guess Dustin Hoffman to play a master of marital arts but it works. Plus come on Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, David Cross, and James Hong? What more do you need aside from a Jack Black cherry on top?
Plot: A
Decent, basic and enjoyable. Sure the chosen one formula can be so tired but it works here given the message. Though it is a little insulting that everyone else can dedicate their lives to the art and this fat Panda comes in an masters it like he’s got cheat codes.
The Message: A+
Sure it’s another feel good “we’re all special” sort of deal but why is that so wrong every time?
The Kung Fu: A++
CGI Wire-Fu is quite fun as it turns out. They had a marital arts expert on hand and it shows. They make full use of each animals unique physical abilities and watching them work as a team the only let down was when the final showdown happened it would have been more fun to see the Panda join them all..even if it would have been unfair and sort of soiled the message. Gotta leave some goods for the sequel I suppose. Rating:
