Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda is one of those films that has everything you need to know about it in the title. This slight but diverting animated tale of a fat Panda called Po who dreams of being a Kung Fu legend should entertain most children, whilst providing some amusing send-ups of classic Kung Fu movies for the adults.
The plot concerns Po, whose dream to join Kung Fu fighters Crane, Tigress, Monkey, Mantis and Viper, whom he idolises, suddenly comes true when it is revealed he is destined to become the “Dragon Fighter”, the one who will free their valley of the evil Tai Lung (a particularly vicious leopard). Along the way, audiences are subjected to the predictable but worthwhile message about being yourself.
There are some fairly good laughs to be had here, especially Po’s fanboyish behaviour as he meets his heroes. There is plenty of inspired slapstick too, in sequences ranging from a thrillingly ludicrous prison breakout, a fight on a rope bridge, a hugely amusing training montage involving chopsticks, and an action packed final duel.
The animation is rich and detailed, though not quite up to Pixar’s impossibly high standards. Various big name vocal talents all contribute amusing performances, including Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogan, Ian McShane, Jackie Chan, and of course Jack Black. The screenplay is engaging, and directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson make good use of the widescreen format.
In short, this is nothing particularly remarkable or particularly bad, and as such, there’s not a lot to write about.
Simon Dillon, July 2008.
