6 of 38

Write now Article Tools

"Kung Fu Panda" is a delightful summer movie, guaranteed to be enjoyed by everyone from toddler to senior citizen. Go see it, but don't expect to see me sitting in the theater with you. OK, I admit it. I didn't pay to see this hugely creative animated animal sockie-choppie movie, so I'd feel guilty slamming it. You see, I have a very, very close relative in the business, a voting member of the Writers Guild of America, who gets loads of freebee DVDs just about every day. I get sent all kinds of just-relased and pre-released DVDs. They're all stamped with such warnings as Not For Commercial Use, Screener Only and If You Sell This We'll Kill You. I obey the rules and obediently send them right back. I watched "Kung Fu Panda" at least a half-dozen times, and found something new and entertaining with each showing.

Therefore, I'm happy to say I don't have to pan the panda. As a retired illustrator and editorial cartoonist, and going back to my childhood, I've been a great fan of brilliantly creative animated movies. My early faves were Disney's, "Fantasia" and Warner Brothers "Bugs Bunny" and "Sylvester and Tweetie". As a lover of classical music, my particular all-time loves are the episodes when pianist Bugs played Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody #2" and the one where the frog-from-the-cornerstone sang, "Figaro." I believe they both won Academy Awards.

In the current trend of three-dimensional, computer-created cartoons, I loved "Cars", "Toy Story" and the Shrek films. Now we come to glorifying an already super cute animal, the roly-poly, cuddly panda. Well, to make my critique short, Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks did a dreamy and workmanlike job. And, I admire them for making Po the Panda not only talk like funny voiced actor Jack Black, but Po's resemblance, physical movements and facial expressions to his voice provider were just about a perfect match.

While there are some comic violence and cartoonishly exaggerated kung fu action and fight scenes in the film, there is nothing dark, scary or political messaging, so I can heartily recommend it for all ages. If there is a message in the story, it is that everyone should realize his/her own capabilities, and with self-confidence and determination, success is certain.

The story is set in the brilliantly colorful fantasy land of China's Valley of Peace. Once you get into the mood, you can sympathize with panda Po, who yearns to achieve a life better than serving noodles at his dad's shop. Hey, what cartoon animal doesn't

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: Kung Fu Panda?
We want to hear your view. Write now!