Kung Fu Panda
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Released:17/11/2008
More Details
Studio:Paramount Home Entertainment
Director:John Stevenson
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen
Running Time:88 minutes
Amazon.co.uk Review
What's a panda to do when his dreams of kung-fu awesomeness awake to the cold reality of noodle-making? Clumsy, overweight Po (Jack Black) dreams of becoming a kung fu master like China's revered "furious five," but instead seems destined to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in the restaurant business. When great leader Oogway has a vision that the imprisoned kung fu warrior Tai Lung (Ian McShane) will soon escape, he declares it time to choose China's dragon warrior--one kung fu master deemed worthy of possessing the dragon's scroll and its secret to limitless power. Po and all the townspeople rush to the Jade Palace atop the highest mountain to witness the contest between Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross) and Viper (Lucy Liu), but Po is locked outside the palace. After a miracle of sorts, Po lands inside the palace gates, where he is chosen as the dragon warrior and placed under the tutelage of the decidedly non-plussed master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). An unconventional student to say the least, hilarity reigns as Shifu tries desperately to make Po into some semblance of a kung fu warrior. Can Po possibly fulfill his destiny as dragon warrior, or was Oogway's final decision a critical mistake? A film rich with hilarious moments, superior animation, and an important message about believing in oneself and the power that comes from within, Kung Fu Panda is great entertainment that will have the whole family laughing and begging for more. (Ages 3 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
Tags
Children's DVDs, Animation, Family Favourites, Comedy, Animated
Reviews
The best animated film since Shrek stars Jack Black as the fat, but loveable panda Po, as he goes from working in his dad's noodle restaurant to becoming the Dragon Warrior.
The charming, artistically captivating animation features the star power of Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan. The film captures good-natured humour, juxtaposing it with hard hitting kung fu action (while managing not to insult the martial arts genre).
Plot-wise, Kung Fu Panda is simplistic, and there is a lack of character development with the Furious Five. However since the film is aimed at young children, this is unimportant; Kung Fu Panda is well worth watching, and will appeal across all age groups.
The Special Features disc features fun activities such as "Learn the Panda Dance" and "Become a Kung Fu Master", and features a detailed documentary into the making of the film.
Unfortunately, this will undoubtedly become a franchise with sequels which will probably never measure up, just like Shrek. However, you may as well enjoy it while you can!
Kung Fu Panda is one of those movies that comes along once every couple of years, it gives you a good message without being patronising in the Disney movie type of way. It shows you a positive outlook on life while giving you genuine laughs without shoving slapstick comedy in your face. I would generally consider constructing my reviews on a pros and cons basis but it's difficult to do that with a film that is simply perfect in every way. I will, however, give you a list of my favourite points of the movie and discuss them in a bit more detail.
The Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jacky Chan, Lucy Liu and many more. I don't think you can get a more star studded cast than this and they all deliver their own special brand of humour and great voice acting to the roles. Some characters are less funny than others which with a movie like this is to be expected. Together they all make this movie even more memorable.
The Animation: With a fully CGI movie it's going to get put in the same category as films like Shrek and Toy Story for the simple reason that it's a fully computer animated movie. Of course if you're going to make a movie about a panda who wants to learn Kung Fu, CGI is an inevitable way to go in order to bring this story to life. The animation for this movie is incredible, it gives us a slick blend of cartoon animation and detailed surroundings which helps make the movie that bit more realistic.
The Comedy: From one of the first opening lines being "He blinded his enemies with his awesomness" you knew this movie would be a high quality comedy. Jack Black as the lead character, Po, makes this movie great as he brings his typical silliness and projects it through his voice and into the character. At times I could genuinely believe Jack Black would be capable of playing the physical role of Po as the slapstick moments are something you can imagine Jack being a part of.
The Story: The story itself from the get go you can sort of work out where they're going with it. Po, a clumsy Panda bear works for his father making noodles but he dreams of one day becoming a Kung Fu master. Meanwhile up in the jade palace current Kung Fu master Oogway decides he must choose a Kung Fu warrior to receive the dragon scrolls which are believed to be the key to becoming the greatest Kung Fu warrior in history. Po must see this ceremony and whilst trying to get over the walls of the jade palace he finds himself being chosen as the one to receive the scrolls but first he must be trained by Shifu.
Overall it's a really good movie and when finally released on DVD is something that everybody must own.
Brilliant movie for kids and for adults. Yes its predictable - but its done in such a brilliant way. Great animation, wonderful characters and character development, great script (including lots of dry humour for the adults), excellent ending. My little boys have watched it endlessly (as have I) and its fun every time :-) Kids enjoyed it a LOT more than all the other pixar movies. Definite buy.
I am sure that all the actors must be screeming with laughter when doing these parts. I fully enjoyed this film, if only they had been around when I was a Child.
summary: ok I'm biased, I love animated movies, martial art movies, and comedy in general but this really got to me - your kids will love it too!
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Jack Black voices Po, a lazy, overweight Panda who idolises the Furious Five kung fu champions: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Monkey (Jackie Chan). However, when Po gatecrashes an initiation ceremony, he is accidentally chosen to be the mythical Dragon Warrior, who is destined to save his valley from the villainous leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane).
The Furious Five are mortified that Po has gatecrashed their ranks, but Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) tells them that there are no accidents and this is indeed Po's destiny. However, when word reaches the Five that Tai Lung has escaped from prison, Po has to get into shape fast, so he begins training under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman).
