Panda Awesomeness

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2008)

In the climactic kung fu battle wannabe "Dragon Warrior" Tai Lung gazes upon the sacred Dragon Scroll which reveals the secret of Martial Arts Mastery and Power, and is left chagrined and perplexed. Panda Po (Jack Black) hysterically admits to the evil and powerful Snow Leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane), "I didn't get it the first time either" Jack Black is awesome as the kung fu Panda in Directors Mark Osbourne and John Stevenson's "Kung Fu Panda"one of the best movies of the year so far. "Kung Fu Panda" is definitely one of the funniest and most entertaining movies in a long while. Screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glen Berger, and Storywriters Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Vows' "Kung Fu Panda" has an inspiring and familiar message. Even in its familiarity and crisp spot on humor, "Kung Fu Panda" is surprisingly touching. After all, this is an unlikely hero's transformation tale. At the story arc Po confesses to Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), "If there is anyone who could... make me, not me"it is Shifu. "Kung Fu Panda" also gets it right for the story of martial arts mastery, and perhaps mastery as a whole. This is refreshing and is also a great message for kidsas trite as that sounds.
Fat slacker Panda Po, who dreams one day of being a kung fu master, works for his Dad, Mr. Ping (James Hong) in the family noodle shop. Note that Po's father is a duck, who dreams one day that Po will take over the family business. In a bizarre circumstance ancient tortoise Master Oogway (Randal Duk Kim) chooses Po as the Dragon Warrior. As Dragon Warrior, Po inherits the secrets of the sacred Dragon Scroll. The Dragon Warrior must protect the Valley from the powerful Tai Lung, who seeks the Dragon Scroll for himself. Oogway's student Master Shifu (Hoffman) had raised the young and gifted snow leopard Tai Lung (McShane) as his own to become the Dragon Warrior. However, Oogway sensed the darkness in Tai Lung, and dismissed him as Dragon Warrior. Oogway was forced to defeat the enraged Tai Lung, and banish him. Now Tai Lung returns.
Shifu tells Oogway he is horribly mistaken in choosing Po. Oogway reminds his old friend, "There are no accidents." He also tells Shifu that the Dragon Warrior will bring peace to the Valley and "bring peace to you". Shifu's students The Furious FiveTigress, Monkey, Mantis, Crane, and Viper, quickly dismiss Po. Admittedly, Po says "I sucked more in the history of sucking" In particular Tigress (insightful and arrogant Angelina Jolie) tells Po, "You don't belong here." Here Directors Osbourne and Stevenson deliver their message home. The pitfall of the greatly skilled is arrogance, and this is embodied by the Tigress and the Furious Five, and in fact Shifu. Surprisingly Shifu does not get it, until the end. Shifu can't rely on what he knows to make Po this great Dragon Warrior. A master can only show The Path or The Way, and it is up to the student to reclaim the greatness within. It is all about discipline, courage, and humility. "Kung Fu Panda" does all this in a very hilarious and visually spectacular package. I was laughing hysterically during the training session with Po and Shifu as they dueled with chopsticks over a delicious dumpling. The Furious Five trading blows with Tai Lung on the hanging mountain bridges was visually stunning.
Jack Black really makes "Kung Fu Panda" work. As voiced by Black, Po realizes the ridiculousness of his situation, but ultimately realizes this is his last chance to own up to his own greatness. Black is both hysterical and profoundly genuine. Dustin Hoffman is amazing as Shifu. Ironically and humorously he is a martial arts master, albeit a rodent of some sort, in love with his own accomplishments, clueless to The Way. Fortunately, Po comes into his life. Randal Duk Kim is great as the true Master Oogway. Angelina Jolie is brash and spirited as the skilled Tigress.
"Kung Fu Panda" is one the best movies of the year. Besides being hysterical fun, it has great heart and a wonderful story. See "Kung Fu Panda".