Likable family comedy

Rating: 8/10 (8 September 2009)

Recap: Po, a big panda and a great fan of the furious five kung fu masters is leading a quiet life with his father in their noodle shop. His dreams are not in the noodle shop, but in the kung fu temple that resides on the mountainside high above the village. When it is announced that the new Dragon Warrior shall be announced the entire village, and Po especially, is excited. And the shock is total when Po, by odd events, get chosen. Everyone, even Po himself, doubts that he is the next Dragon Warrior, but stays to train with his idols. But soon the much feared Tai Lung brakes out of his prison and threatens the entire village. And it is up to Po to stop him.
Comments: A typical animated family story with the main plot element being that if you really believe in yourself, you can do anything. You just got to recognize your weaknesses and use your strength. But also in the typical fashion of these animated features, it contains a great dose of both visual and common humor. Or plainly speaking, it is funny for everyone. It got just the right humor that you can see will appeal to the children but also is funny for you.
It is easy to like Kung Fu Panda. It is very well made, by professionals that know how to do it right. And performed by a great cast. Even though it's not their faces, the voices is important to an animated film. Jack Black is just perfect as Po. And when he is supported by Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman and Michael Clark Duncan, among others, it is a great cast.
Just like Po, the movie recognizes it weaknesses and uses its strengths. But if I may fault it for something is that it might be a little too much predictable. It is too focused on teaching the moral lesson that anybody can be the Dragon Warrior, you just got to believe in yourself. Sweet, but you misses out on a lot of funny opportunities that could have come with surprising plot twists. Kung Fu Panda got none, even the mythical Dragon Scroll holds no surprises. It's a little too predictable.
That holds it back a little. It is still good, very good. But it isn't great. Too bad. It is very likable. I wouldn't mind a sequel (if the actors would want to return).
7/10