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KUNG-FU PANDA

With the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Ian McShane, David Cross, Lucy Liu, James Hong, Randall Duk Kim

Written by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger
Directed by John Stevenson & Mark Osborne

This highly successful animated feature (from the makers of Shrek and Madagascar) has focused the spotlight even tighter onto the unlikely superstar Jack Black. Set in China, an unlikely hero rises in the shape of Po, a lazy Panda, inadvertently becoming the Dragon Warrior, burdened with stopping the escaped Tai Lung heading their way, filled wit vengeance. With his master Shifu trying to train him, Tigress, Monkey, Mantis and Viper (all together known as the Furious Five) are at first pessimistic, but realize they have no choice but to stand together.
Cutting edge digital animation brings life to the many animal (and insect) characters. With only a PG restriction, it seems a bit lenient for the sometimes excessive violence – so, just a reminder for parents to remember they’re responsible for what their kids watch.
Kung-Fu Panda is fun entertainment, but failed to sweep me up in the hysteria with which it was met, making it the huge success it became.

DVD extras include directors’ commentary, featurettes looking at the cast and putting the move together, as well as several movie and game trailers. There is also a little piece on real Pandas and their conservation, a jukebox and set top game.

3 / B
- Paul Blom


1 2 3 4 5 6
A - B - C



6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice

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