Kung Fu Panda

Rating: 5/10 (22 June 2011)

I saw a trailer and maybe a few clips of this cartoon film and thought it looked like it would be fun, I didn't see it at the cinema, but I wasn't going to miss it when I got the opportunity. Basically Po (Jack Black) is the lazy tongue-in-cheek slacker giant panda, and he is the biggest fan of Kung Fu, but his (adoptive) father the Chinese goose Zeng (Dan Fogler) wants him to keep working at his family noodle shop. After trying to watch his favourite kung fu team, the legendary Furious Five: Tigress the South China tiger (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross); Po falls into the arena and it looks like he is unintentionally chosen as the one to fulfil the ancient prophecy. Oogway the Galápagos tortoise (Randall Duk Kim) says he is correct about his choice of who will become the Dragon Warrior, but Master Shifu the red panda (Dustin Hoffman) is unconvinced, but the panda does study and train alongside his idols. Po and the Furious Five are unaware that the big threat and vengeful former kung fu student to Shifu, Tai Lung the snow leopard (Ian McShane), has escaped captivity and is heading their way. Po meanwhile, despite loving being next to his idols, he also also does not think he is the correct choice as the Dragon Warrior, but after some assurance by Shifu he gains the confidence to complete training. He also gets the chance to see the legendary Dragon Scroll, and after a little while of confusion as to its meaning, being blank and reflective, he feels ready enough to face Tai Lung and defeat him. In the end, after using the secret Wuxi Finger Hold to defeat the villain leopard, Po is praised by his five fellow warriors, Shifu and all of the Valley of Peace, becoming a true kung fu master. Also starring Michael Clarke Duncan as Commander Vachir the Javan Rhinoceros, Wayne Knight as Gang Boss and Tenacious D's Kyle Gass as KG Shaw. Black is really likable as the fat endearing character, and the supporting cast all do well also, the story is easy to follow, and the computer animation is just as good as what we've seen in Shrek and Madagascar, it is suitable and enjoyable for all ages, a fun animated comedy adventure. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year, it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film, and it was nominated the National Movie Award for Best Family Film. Worth watching!