Collegiate Times

Kung Fu Panda

DreamWorks' latest animated feature, Kung Fu Panda, is a treasure hidden beneath a facade of silliness and one huge cliche of a plot. While not as endearing as Shrek or as original as Ratatouille, Panda's visual grandeur and refreshing humor outweigh its weaker aspects.

It is easy to see how the design concepts were derived from classical Chinese paintings. Shadowy mountains, fluttering petals and soft silhouettes create a mystical and magnificent setting that blends richly with the leading character's simple, far-away dream of becoming a kung fu hero.

Po (voiced by Jack Black), an obese panda, lives and works in his "father's" noodle shop. Mr. Ping, a squawking, overbearing goose, tells his "son" that he, too, had a so-called lofty ambition once - to make tofu instead of soup - until he realized that he was better off sticking to what he knew, and he advises Po to do the same.

But Po, obsessed and perhaps delusional, earnestly applies for the position of the mysterious and revered Dragon Warrior. All expect one of the Furious Five - Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), Crane (David Cross), and Mantis (Seth Rogan) - to receive the title. First introduced in the stylistically impressive opening sequence, the five are established as the forerunners of kung fu in the land and as Po's much-admired heroes.

When Master Oogway, the land's presiding turtle, whose wisdom seems to transcend reason, selects Po as the Dragon Warrior, everyone is astonished.

Everyone except the audience.

The plot proceeds as predicted, with no-nonsense Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) taking Oogway's decision for lunacy, the five having their own doubts about the panda, and Po coming to doubt himself.

Po and the dubious Shifu's long-foreseen turnaround is a long time coming, and marks the film's only slow spot. But after the plot drag, the audience is rewarded with a climax and resolution that doesn't bore with their predictability, but rather thrills and delights.

What makes the film such a pleaser to adults as well as children (in addition to the masterful design and the epic score by none other than Hans Zimmer), are the actors' voice performances. The most notable is easily Jack Black as Po, who managed to make the far-fetched development of his character if not believable, then relatable. Black creates the perfect dreaming slacker, the kind of character whose ferocity in his dreams is only outdone by his inability to get out of bed in the morning. And yes, Black gracefully pulls off the making of a kung fu expert from a panda so plump he can barely ascend a flight of stairs.

Dustin Hoffman delivered a more subtle yet just as effective performance as Master Shifu. In fact, the film is loaded with vocal talent from top celebrities. But many of the characters, particularly those in the Furious Five, were not developed fully enough to give the actors the opportunity to shine. British actor Ian McShane, however, made the very angry and villainous snow leopard Tai Lung a joy to fear despite his minimal screen time.

Brilliant animation, thrilling action sequences, harmless parody, enjoyable voicing, and a plot so conventional it allows you to fully appreciate the rest are a few of the delights Kung Fu Panda has in store. So if you seek thrills, escapism, cinematic beauty, or an easy laugh, drop into theaters and enjoy this light-hearted and highly-stylized adventure.

Grade: B