Title: Kung Fu Panda; Lead Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, Jacky Chan, Ian Mcshane; Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson; Story: Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris; Screenplay: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger; Cinematography: Yong Duk Jhun; Editing: Clare De Chenu; Producer: Melissa Cobb; Music: John Powell, Hans Zimmer; Location: China; Genre: Animation Action-Comedy; Distributor: Dreamworks Animation; Running Time: 88 minutes;
Technical Assessment : 3.5
Moral Assessment : 3
Cinema Rating : For ages 13 and below with parental guidance
Po (Jack Black) is a sloppy, overweight but loveable Panda who dreams to be a kung-fu master one day. However, he seems to be stuck in a noodle shop run by his father, surprisingly a gentle goose, Mr. Ping (James Hong). He lives in a peaceful and loving village which is threatened when rumors circulate about the escape of the vicious snow leopard villain Tai Ling (Ian McShane). Kung-fu masters of the Jade Palace immediately announce the need to fulfill the ancient prophecy and select a Dragon Warrior. Naturally, the top five martial arts students vie for the title and set off to an elimination round. Po hero-worships the “Furious Five” composed of Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Monkey (Jacky Chan) and wastes no time to witness the competition. By an extreme clumsiness and unfortunate luck, Po ends in the middle of the courtyard and is declared by aging Master Oogway to be the Dragon Warrior. Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) reluctantly takes on the task to train the supposed savior of their village but the battle Po must first win is with himself and his insecurities as well as the resentment of the five star students who have no respect for him at all.
Kung Fu Panda is undoubtedly predictable and an old formula for an action-comedy movie but it pulls it off successfully with ease and delight. The film is a visual feast with a barrage of vibrant color and amazingly detailed Chinese landscapes. The action sequences themselves are enjoyable with a brilliant choreography and impressive animation. The screenplay has the perfect amount and pace of humor, wisdom and story-telling that adults will find the movie interesting while kids will just be engrossed with the spectacle.
The movie conveys several lessons and values. One, Po discovers that to achieve success there is no secret ingredient or secret formula, just enough honesty and sincerity coupled with determination and passion. At the end, only one’s self will help one triumph. Two, Mr. Ping emphasizes that to make something special, you yourself have to believe it is special. Appreciation has to come first from within because the value of something is determined by the value one gives it. Three, the movie also talks about having and fulfilling a destiny. While some are born to have distinguished roles in the future, one still has to wholeheartedly accept the responsibility, strive to learn and master what is needed to be able to fulfill the task and have the passion and fortitude to see it through no matter how hard or painful. Some elements of the movie, particularly the action sequences, may be worrisome for parents. It is better to have a responsible adult accompany and guide very young audiences.
