Kung Fu Panda Movie Review

Reviewed by Kidzworld on May 29, 2008

Rating:

Hes cute, hes cuddly, and he will kick your butt. Weve got the lowdown on the Kung Fu pandamonium.

Po is a Kung Fu loving Panda who might become the legendary Dragon Warrior and save the Valley of Peace! Check out Kidzworld's review.

Kung Fu Dreamin’

Po (Jack Black) is a clumsy, roly poly panda who works at his father’s noodle shop, but dreams of one day becoming a Kung Fu master like his idols the Furious Five. When Master Oogway, the ancient creator of Kung Fu, has a frightening vision, he and Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) decide it is time to name a student as The Dragon Warrior, a Kung Fu master prophesized as the only individual capable of protecting the Valley of Peace. At the ensuing festivities the Furious Five impress with their superb skill, while Po, trying desperately to get into the temple, finally slams down in front of Oogway with the help of some fireworks.

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

The Great Escape

Oogway shocks everyone by naming Po as the Dragon Warrior instead of Tigress (Angelina Jolie). Completely untrained but filled with enthusiasm, Po moves into the temple to train alongside his Kung Fu idols and Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). Elsewhere, Master Shifu’s assistant has flown to the prison where Tai Lung, the incredibly dangerous, power-hungry former student of Shifu’s is being held captive. When a stray feather floats too close to Tai Lung, a series of events leading to his escape unfolds.

Food Fight

Back at the temple, Po is proving to be passionate but unskilled. Shifu and the Furious Five resent him for being named the Dragon Warrior, and don’t really know what to make of the new student. While Shifu is trying to get Po to quit and go home, word spreads that Tai Lung has escaped. The Furious Five set out to defend the Valley as Shifu finally finds that Po’s excessive appetite might be the secret to his training. Can Po actually fulfill the destiny of the Dragon Warrior and defeat Tai Lung? And what is the secret to ultimate power hidden in the mysterious Dragon Scroll? You’ve got to watch to find out.

The Bottom Line

This movie was fantastic! The animation is gorgeous from Po’s original cartoonish dream-sequence to the gravity defying fight scenes. The scenery and colors add an authentic Kung Fu feel to the film, and it’s really funny, without the laughs taking over the story. If you mix Kung Fu, comedy, and incredible effects, you’re going to have a very entertaining movie, which Kung Fu Panda totally is. A couple of scenes in particular, including Tai Lung’s prison escape, the battle on the rope bridge, and Po’s dumpling training are so awesome that you’ll want to watch them over and over again.

Kung Fu Panda Movie Rating: