Kung Fu Panda (2008)

"There is no charge for awesomeness...."

- Kung Fu Panda is very funny and just plain unadulterated entertainment - great for family viewing or just lounging around. But don't worry, you won't "go blind from over-exposure to" its "pure awesomeness."

In the Valley of Peace, Po the Panda idolizes the "Furious Five" Kung Fu fighting team and dreams of being the best Kung Fu master ever. But those dreams seem too impossible to ever become reality as Po is also very lazy, eats like there's no tomorrow, and is doomed to a life of noodle-making by his father (who oddly enough, is a duck, not a panda). In a strange twist of fate Po is actually selected as the Dragon Warrior, the only person who can read the sacred Dragon Scroll and match the oncoming threat of the deadly Kung Fu villain Tai Lung. Po now must train with Master Shifu and the members of the Furious Five (Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Mantis, and Viper) in the ways of Kung Fu to stop Tai Lung and save the Valley of Peace.

Kung Fu Panda is a very fun film. What's not to like? Hollywood stars provide the voices (Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, and more), the jokes are plenty, and the animation is top-of-the-line. Plus, as the film is also just as much a fun family film with morals to tell than it is a comedy and action oriented film, Kung Fu Panda has just enough heart to give you a tiny warm feeling inside.


CBC Rating: 8/10