Sleight of Film

Today’s quick review: Kung Fu Panda 3. When Kai (J.K. Simmons) escapes from the Spirit Realm and begins harvesting the chi of kung fu masters across China, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and the Furious Five (Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Seth Rogen, and Jackie Chan) set out to stop him. But their best hope lies with Po (Jack Black), who embarks on a journey with his long-lost father Li (Bryan Cranston) to learn how to use chi.

Kung Fu Panda 3 is a family animated martial arts action comedy. Po and the Furious Five face their greatest adversary yet: an ancient master with mystic powers the likes of which none of them have ever seen. Kung Fu Panda 3 continues the series’ tradition of larger-than-life action, light comedy, and stories about family and friendship. In spite of a far-fetched premise, strong action and solid craftsmanship make it a worthy sequel.

Kung Fu Panda 3 introduces explicit fantasy elements to the series. The Spirit Realm, the mystic force known as chi, and a fighting force of jade zombies join the usual martial arts acrobatics and destruction. Apart from a slight shift in the rules of the setting, the fantasy elements fit well, powering a new batch of impressive action scenes and giving the movie a chance to show off its new special effects.

As far as story goes, Kung Fu Panda 3 fits in comfortably with its predecessors. Po faces two new personal challenges: reconnecting with his birth father and learning to teach kung fu, not just practice it. The writing is a shade more self-indulgent than the previous movies, but not enough to distract from an otherwise solid plot. And, crucially, it is still as fun as ever to watch Po stumble, learn, and grow.

Give Kung Fu Panda 3 a shot if you enjoyed either of the first two movies or are simply in the mood for some light, flashy action. The movie has a few quirks, including a greater reliance on fantasy and one or two bumps in its plot, but its strengths are more than enough to make up for them.

For Chinese-themed fantasy action with less of a focus on story, try The Great Wall. For much more violent martial arts action with a soul-stealing villain, try Mortal Kombat.

[7.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2267968/). I give it a 7.0 for gorgeous fantasy action and a satisfying plot.

Today’s quick review: Kung Fu Panda 2. When Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) unleashes his cannons on China, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) sends Po (Jack Black) and the Furious Five (Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Seth Rogen, and Jackie Chan) to stop him. But Po faces an inner battle when he learns that Shen was the one who killed his birth parents.

Kung Fu Panda 2 is a family animated martial arts action comedy. The story follows Po and the Furious Five on a new adventure as they square off against a warlord with an army of wolves and a fearsome new piece of technology: the cannon. Kung Fu Panda 2 upholds the high standard of quality set by the first film. Impressive fight scenes, attentive cinematography, and a smattering of light humor make it a thoroughly fun watch.

Like its predecessor, Kung Fu Panda 2 strikes just the right balance of action and comedy. The fights are as sprawling and creative as ever, this time with a full urban environment for Po and the Furious Five to play with. Shen’s agile, blade-oriented style marks a nice contrast to the brute force of Tai Lung from the first movie, while his firework-inspired cannons gives the action a strong visual hook.

The comedy remains a major draw without being too distracting. Po is still as clumsy as he was before, but his training lets him fight like a warrior when he has to. His blunders add some fruitful chaos to the action scenes, and a large part of the enjoyment is seeing how the Furious Five roll with Po’s fumbling. The humor also allows the movie to dial down the tension whenever it needs to, keeping it from becoming overly serious.

As far as story goes, Kung Fu Panda 2 is a slight step down from the first film. Where the original Kung Fu Panda was an underdog story with a clear dramatic arc, Kung Fu Panda 2 has to work harder to establish its drama and suffers from a more limited emotional range. To its credit, the movie makes it work. The story feels like a natural continuation of the first film’s, and it has some solid payoff for anyone invested in the characters.

Overall, Kung Fu Panda 2 is a solidly constructed action comedy that delivers the same combination of spectacular fights, light humor, and heartfelt story as the first film. It is not without its faults, and not everyone will appreciate its heavy focus on action. But for most viewers, Kung Fu Panda 2 is a worthy sequel that is well worth a watch.

For a martial arts comedy with a loosely similar plot, try Shanghai Knights. for a more dramatic movie about a fight for the future of martial arts, try Ip Man or Ip Man 2.

[7.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1302011/). I give it a 7.0 for excellent action backed by a well-scoped story.

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.

Today’s quick review: The Little Prince. To get into a prestigious school and secure a successful future, a little girl (Mackenzie Foy) must spend her summer following the strict schedule laid out by her mother (Rachel McAdams). The only wrinkle in the plan is her eccentric neighbor, an aging aviator (Jeff Bridges) who tells the girl a fanciful story about the Little Prince (Riley Osborne), a boy on a journey away from his asteroid home.

The Little Prince is an animated fantasy adventure based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. The movie is set in a drab, conformist world where everyone spends their lives toiling to get ahead. Its story follows a little girl as she is introduced to a world of color and wonder by the aviator who lives next door. Fantastic artistry and a rich and insightful story make The Little Prince a gorgeous film, both visually and tonally.

The Little Prince is an artistic masterpiece. Everything contributes to the whole, from the details of the set designs to the way the characters move and react. The girl’s house is prim, proper, and satisfyingly organized, but the aviator’s house offers something more: a chaos of colorful trinkets that all have their own stories behind them. The film also seems to know just the right way to present its world for maximum effect.

The Little Prince goes even further with its art for the Prince’s story. His adventures are adapted from the original book, traveling from asteroid to asteroid and eventually ending up stranded on Earth. The film depicts his journey with charming stop-motion animation that mimics the art style of the book. The Little Prince also does an excellent job of weaving together the old story and the new one, so that neither one is given short shrift.

The subtler and more enduring accomplishments of the film come from its story. The Little Prince works at multiple levels. What begins as a satire of the regimented, stifling drive for success seen in the modern world gives way to a heartfelt story about love, imagination, and coping with loss. Yet the real heart of the film lies even deeper: mature themes and unspoken wounds that are handled with incredible tact.

The Little Prince is a beautiful film whose art, story, and acting come together to create a magnificent whole. Not only is it a pleasant experience on its surface, but its artistic detail and layers of meaning reward the audience for paying closer attention. Its specific style will not appeal to everyone, and its story requires a certain amount of sentimentality to appreciate, but its high quality makes it well worth a watch for almost anyone.

For a stop-motion fantasy adventure that deals with similar themes through a more unsettling story, try Coraline. For a darker and more adult film about a man weaving a fantastic story for a little girl, try The Fall. For a science fiction movie where Jeff Bridges saves a child from an emotionless world, try The Giver. For a more down-to-earth movie about tall tales and adventure, try Secondhand Lions.

[7.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1754656/). I give it an 8.0 for beautiful artistry and a moving story.

Today’s quick review: Over the Moon. Four years after the death of her mother, Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) is distraught to learn that her father (John Cho) is planning to remarry. Fei Fei builds a rocket to reach the Moon and find the goddess Chang’e (Phillipa Soo), who she thinks can convince him to change his mind. But to earn the goddess’ favor, Fei Fei must first recover a gift that can help Chang’e bring back her long-lost love.

Over the Moon is a family animated fantasy adventure based on a Chinese myth. The story follows a grief-stricken teenage girl on a quest to find a goddess and keep her family from undergoing a massive change. Over the Moon combines a colorful fantasy world with delicately handled themes of loneliness, family, and letting go. Beautiful visuals and a sweet story make Over the Moon a solid pick for anyone in the right mood.

The single most striking aspect of Over the Moon is its visuals. The film has a knack for bright, colorful designs that show off its impressive lighting technology without being overly complicated. The story strikes a similar balance. The basic story arc will be familiar to fans of the genre, but the details show plenty of care, and characters like Fei Fei and Chang’e get the chance to grow and develop identities of their own.

Other aspects of the film are satisfying but not outstanding. The songs are emotive and show off the singers’ powerful vocals, but none of them leave a lasting impression. The setting is an imaginative, fantasy version of the Moon, but the sparse landscape and oddly shaped creatures will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Finally, while Fei Fei’s journey supports the movie’s themes, it is not as fully fleshed out as other fantasy adventures.

Over the Moon is a fine pick for anyone who appreciates advanced CGI and cleanly told tales of loss and longing. It is not as emotionally resonant as the very best films in the genre, and it has slight weaknesses in terms of music, plot details, and humor. But in spite of these quibbles, Over the Moon carves out a comfortable niche for itself with its unique designs and solid fundamentals. Those curious should give it a shot.

For another animated fantasy film with ties to Chinese mythology, try Wish Dragon. For a stop-motion fantasy adventure that deals with similar themes and has mythological influences, try Kubo and the Two Strings. For an animated fantasy about a young explorer, try Patema Inverted or The Secret World of Arrietty. For an animated movie about girl’s trip to another world, try Spirited Away, A Whisker Away, or The Cat Returns.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7488208/). I give it a 7.0 for gorgeous animation and a sweet story.

Today’s quick review: Wish Dragon. Din (Jimmy Wong), a young man trying to work his way through college, has his luck turn around when he is given a magic teapot containing Long Zhu (John Cho), a dragon who can grant him three wishes. Din uses the opportunity to reconnect with Li Na (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), his estranged childhood friend, but runs into trouble when her father (Will Yun Lee) tries to steal the teapot for himself.

Wish Dragon is a family animated fantasy adventure about a Chinese teenager who finds an ancient, wish-granting dragon. Although his intentions start out pure, Din is tempted to wish for money and prestige so he can impress Li Na, who has grown up into a wealthy model and heiress. Wish Dragon is a generic but ultimately charming story about friendship, family, and what truly matters in life.

The driving force behind Wish Dragon is Din and his pure friendship with Li Na. No matter what else happens, their relationship keeps the tone of the movie light and optimistic. Din also makes for a wiser protagonist than most, keeping his head even when tempted with unthinkable riches. The movie also benefits from a cute art style, a basic but satisfying story arc, and a conclusion that ties everything together nicely.

Wish Dragon’s weakness is that it is walking well-trodden ground. The broad strokes of the story will be predictable for anyone who has seen other family films that introduce a young protagonist to a source of fantastical power. Wish Dragon makes some novel contributions with the details of its characters and setting, but it is missing the flashy ideas and innovation needed to leave its own mark on the genre.

In the end, Wish Dragon is a pleasant watch that is carried by strong fundamentals. It is missing the sharp comedy and original ideas that set apart other animated films, but likable characters, bright art, and a fun story make it worth a watch for anyone interested. Give it a shot when you are in the mood for something upbeat with a dash of heart. Look elsewhere if you dislike the genre or want something that will make a bigger impact.

For a more memorable film about a young man who gets three wishes, check out Aladdin. For an animated fantasy adventure that pairs a young protagonist with a goofy supernatural being, try Moana. For an animated superhero movie with a similar art style and related themes, try Big Hero Six.

[7.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5562070/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a basic but well-executed family adventure.

Today’s quick review: Animal Crackers. When his uncle Buffalo Bob (James Arnold Taylor) dies, Owen (John Krasinski) inherits not only his circus but a magical box of animal crackers that transform anyone who eats them. Using the power of the crackers, Owen, his wife Zoe (Emily Blunt), and their clown friend Chesterfield (Danny DeVito) revitalize the circus, at least until Bob’s brother Horatio (Ian McKellen) steals the crackers for himself.

Animal Crackers is a family animated fantasy adventure. The story follows Owen Huntington as he tries to choose between the circus he loves and his steady but unrewarding job working for his father-in-law (Wallace Shawn). Animal Crackers is a freewheeling fantasy with a genuine appreciation for the circus, friends, and family. However, a convoluted premise leaves the movie without a clear trajectory.

The strong points of Animal Crackers are its cast, its character dynamics, and its sense of wonder. All of the voice actors give great performances, especially Danny DeVito and Ian McKellen. The supporting cast includes Wallace Shawn, Gilbert Gottfried, Raven-Symone, Patrick Warburton, and Sylvester Stallone, giving the line-up some depth.

As for the characters themselves, Animal Crackers has what it needs. Owen, Zoe, and their daughter Mackenzie (Lydia Rose Taylor) are the epitome of a loving and supportive family, Chesterfield is a warm and playful friend, and Horatio makes for a suitably egotistical villain. The other characters are harder for the movie to calibrate, with too much screen time for some of the more outrageous characters and not enough for some others.

Where Animal Crackers runs into trouble is its story. Animal Crackers cannot figure out what it wants to focus on. One part of the movie is about Owen rekindling his love for the circus, another is about his rocky relationship with his father-in-law, and a third is a fantasy adventure about using crackers that turn people into animals to save the circus. On paper these work well together, but in practice, it just leads to confusion.

As such, Animal Crackers has a hard time finding its rhythm. Instead of a clear setup and a clear story arc to follow, it combines bits and pieces of other ideas. The result is still entertaining, especially for viewers who are willing to roll with whatever ideas the movie wants to explore next. But although it has a lot of the best features of a family film, it’s missing the crisp through-line to tie it all together.

Give Animal Crackers a shot if you’re interested in a colorful and comedic adventure with a dash of heart. Its story issues will ruin the movie for some people, and it’s missing the careful tonal balance needed to make its humor stick, but its cast and its enthusiasm take it a long way regardless.

For another animated adventure with a strong family theme, try The Incredibles. For a more surreal fantasy about a circus, try Mirrormask. For a somewhat more mature story with Danny DeVito in a similar role, try Big Fish.

[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4155534/). I give it a 6.5 for a great cast, a promising premise, and a jumbled story.

Today’s quick review: A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown. Frankie (Jason Jones), a squirrel thief, breaks out of prison and returns to the forest, only to find that a cosmetics company has harvested all of the acorns. With winter rapidly approaching and no other food available, Frankie, his best friend Cody (Will Forte), and a team of woodland creatures make a plan to break into the comany’s high-security facility and steal the acorns back.

A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown is a budget animated family comedy that pits a band of animal thieves against the company that took their food. A.C.O.R.N.S. aims to be a light spin on the heist genre, using the talents of a team of animals to get past an absurdly advanced security system. But in spite of its best efforts, A.C.O.R.N.S. has major issues with its art, writing, and humor, making it a miss for most audiences.

A.C.O.R.N.S. has a peculiar vision and executes it poorly. The world-building is eclectic. Frankie and his girlfriend Lola (Victoria Justice) are taken straight out of a classic crime movie, but their target is a high-tech facility that belongs in a spy parody. From there, A.C.O.R.N.S. indulges in robots, over-the-top exterminators, and guards that would be at home in a science fiction movie, all without trying to make them feel consistent.

But even if A.C.O.R.N.S. had the subtle touch needed to bring its ideas together, its art style would drag it down. Frankie and the other characters range from passable to rough, and all but two or three characters lack the animal cuteness needed to make them work. The low budget does not do the movie any favors either, with splotchy animation, rough backgrounds, and a couple of creative workarounds for particles and explosions.

Even with all of these failings, A.C.O.R.N.S. does have glimmers of potential. Some of the characters are salvageable, the 2D animation used for the heist schematics is endearing, and its eclectic world could actually be engaging in the right hands. But the movie’s pervasive flaws keep it from making the most of its few strengths, and nearly any viewer will be able to do better looking elsewhere. Steer clear.

For a funnier, more focused take on a very similar premise, try The Nut Job or Over the Hedge. For an elaborate crime comedy with a much more satisfying plot, try Ocean’s Eleven.

[3.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2097333/). I give it a 4.5 for flickers of creativity amid poor execution.

Today’s quick review: The Nut Job. Surly (Will Arnett), a thieving squirrel, gets banished from the park when his selfish actions destroy the animals’ stockpile of food for the winter. Striking out on his own, he stumbles across the score of a lifetime: a nut shop being used as a front by a gang of bank robbers. To break in and steal the nuts, Surly agrees to work with Andie (Katherine Heigl) and split the take with the other animals.

The Nut Job is an animated family comedy about a squirrel planning a daring heist. Will Arnett stars as Surly, who has to put aside his selfish motives long enough to complete the heist and save his fellow animals from starvation. The Nut Job has a fine setup: a miniature bank robbery wrapped around a story about greed versus friendship. But the execution of this idea leaves plenty to be desired, with a sluggish plot and mediocre comedy.

The Nut Job has a host of minor issues that hold it back. Some of the most noticeable are a series of misses with its characters. Surly is a shade too mean to be likeable, and his redemption is not handled gracefully. Raccoon (Liam Neeson), the two-faced leader of the animals, makes for a dull villain. Grayson (Brendan Fraser), the self-proclaimed hero of the park, is another miss, a comedic character whose jokes never really land.

There are other flaws in The Nut Job’s comedy and storytelling. The jokes are fine, a mixture of animal humor and slapstick, but the timing is off. The movie lingers too long on gags that would have been fine in passing, and many of the punchlines are either too early or too late. The plot has a hard time building up momentum, a halting series of events rather than a smooth progression. What heart the story has struggles to shine through.

Still, The Nut Job has enough going for it to be entertaining. Some of the characters are a hit, including Andie, who sees the best in Surly, Buddy, his mute but loyal sidekick, and Precious (Maya Rudolph), an enthusiastic pug. The plans Surly comes up with are fairly clever, some of the slapstick hits the mark, and there is a nice sense of chaos about the proceedings. It’s just that these elements do not come together as a whole.

How much you get out of The Nut Job will vary considerably, but most viewers will find it to be a miss. It tries for the same blend of heart and mischief as other family films but gets the formula wrong, never tapping into the genre’s greatest strengths. Some viewers will have fun with its goofy humor and interesting premise, but those interested should approach with caution. For a more polished take on a very similar concept, try Over the Hedge.

[5.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821658/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for hit-or-miss humor and flawed storytelling.

Today’s quick review: Over the Hedge. After stealing a wagon full of food from a bear, RJ (Bruce Willis), a streetwise raccoon, has just seven days to pay back his debt. He finds his salvation with a family of woodland creatures whose forest has just been converted into a housing development. RJ cons them into stealing the humans’ food for him, but their leader, a cautious turtle named Verne (Garry Shandling), suspects that he is up to something.

Over the Hedge is an animated family comedy about a group of animals who venture out into suburbia on the hunt for food. Under RJ’s guidance, Verne and his friends (Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Avril Lavigne, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O’Hara) are introduced to the strange but bountiful world of humans. What follows is an entertaining heist film with a charming premise, a distinguished voice cast, and a heavy focus on comedy.

Over the Hedge sticks to the basics, but it handles them well. The hunt for food proves to be a reliable hook, motivating the animals’ many forays into the neighborhood. These in turn provide the basis for some energetic slapstick sequences as RJ and his accomplices try to get the food and get out without being caught. Finally, the core of the story is a simple but satisfying tale about a self-serving con man who has a crisis of conscience.

Over the Hedge is an entertaining movie that makes the most of a fruitful premise. Cartoonish action, likable characters, and some pointed jabs at life in the suburbs all contribute to a breezy watch. The movie does not have the narrative or artistic depth of the best family films, and its humor can be a little crass, but anyone in the mood for a fun, family-friendly romp should give it a shot.

For another animated family movie that takes shots at modern living, try WALL-E or Bee Movie. For a bittersweet animated fantasy about the clash between animals and humans, check out Pom Poko. For a similarly roguish role for Bruce Willis, try The Whole Nine Yards or Hudson Hawk.

[6.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327084/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for animal antics that mostly hit the mark.