by Sarah Huth

Created on: July 13, 2008

In a world where action heroes are the epitome of strength and agility, with ripped muscles and lean figures, Po (the lovable hero of "Kung Fu Panda") sticks out like a sore thumb. An overweight panda that's as clumsy as he is round, Po is probably one of the most unlikely candidates for a Kung Fu Master that's ever existed. Yet, with a little luck, perseverance, and perhaps a bit of help from fate, Po finds the strength to accept himself and make his dreams come true. It's an inspiring message about believing in oneself, but that's to be expected from the folks at Dreamworks. They did give us the "Shrek" series, which teaches a similar message about following your heart, despite what people may perceive you as. Their films never seem preachy, however, and "Kung Fu Panda" is both charming and funny; or as Po (voiced by Jack Black) would say, "awesome".

The film starts off with an action packed sequence of our hero kicking some major butt as the greatest Kung Fu warrior in the land. He blinds his enemies with his "sheer awesomeness", and is loved and adored by everyone in the Valley of Peace. We soon find out, however, that this is nothing but a dream. Po wakes up to the sound of his father calling him, telling him that it's time to get started with the day's work. With a heavy sigh and a sad glance over at his action figures of the Furious Five (Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Crane, and Viper), the greatest Kung Fu masters in all of the land, he plods down the stairs. His father, a Duck, is the proud owner of a noodle restaurant, and hopes that one day Po will take over the family business. Po, on the other hand, dreams of more than just noodles and broth (though he eats his fair share of it), and upon learning that the great Master Oogway is going to be choosing the legendary Dragon Master, he abandons his noodle cart in hopes of at least being able to glimpse what is certain to be his newest idol.

After huffing and puffing up the stairs to the Jade Temple, Po discovers that he is locked out. Determined not to miss what he considers the greatest moment in Kung Fu history, Po straps himself to a chair covered in fireworks and launches himself right in the middle of the ceremony. When he wakes up from his crash landing, however, he realizes that his wildest dreams have come true; he has been chosen as the Dragon Warrior. Jumping up and down with fan-boy glee, Po moves into the Jade Temple, much to the dismay of Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and the rest of the Furious

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