Today’s quick review: Kung Fu Panda. Po (Jack Black) wants nothing more than to be a kung fu master like his idols, the Furious Five (Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Seth Rogen, and Jackie Chan). Po gets his chance when an old master (Randall Duk Kim) identifies him as the prophesied Dragon Warrior. Now the Furious Five and an incredulous Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) must train the clumsy panda to take on the evil Tai Lung (Ian McShane).
Kung Fu Panda is a family animated martial arts action comedy. Jack Black stars as Po, an enthusiastic martial arts fan faced with the daunting task of fighting Master Shifu’s greatest student, Tai Lung. Kung Fu Panda is a comedic spin on the classic story of an apprentice training to become a warrior. Imaginative action, a basic but engaging story, and the right amount of comedy all make the film an enjoyable pick.
Kung Fu Panda hits a sweet spot with its characters, its comedy, and its action. Po strikes a good balance between bumbling and capable. He has little physical talent, but he shows a true love for his craft. Master Shifu balances him nicely, a harsh but skilled mentor who is still wrestling with his failure in training Tai Lung. Po’s journey has a nice progression that fits naturally with both characters.
As far as action goes, Kung Fu Panda makes full use of its animated medium. The kung fu masters in the movie are acrobatic animals who leap, kick, and fly around large, destructible arenas. The fights are creative, kinetic, and manage to have plenty of impact without any blood or gore. On the comedy side, Kung Fu Panda slips in plenty of jokes without letting them distract from the story, making excellent use of Jack Black’s talents.
All in all, Kung Fu Panda is a film that accomplishes what it sets out to do. Within the well-established conventions of the martial arts genre, Kung Fu Panda carves out a unique niche for itself, infusing a classic story structure with high-octane action and its own flavor of comedy. Give it a shot when you are in the mood for something light and adventurous.
For Jack Black in a similar underdog role, try Nacho Libre. For a more conventional take on the genre, try Drunken Master. For a family-focused spin on the formula, try The Karate Kid.
[7.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441773/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for strong action, fun humor, and lots of care.