It's with great confidence that I can report the new Dreamworks animation film Kung Fu Panda will be a big hit with kids. I was lucky enough to view this film with an excited four year old who laughed loud and often and was beaming when the tale came to an end.
Set in the ancient Chinese city of Peace we meet Po, a big overweight panda who dreams of being a kung fu master. The only problem is, he has no martial arts ability and works in his father's noodle bar.
By a strange twist of fate, he is singled out as the next great dragon warrior; the only one who can defeat the evil Tai Lung. Thus Po embarks on a wild and dangerous adventure that eventually leads to self-awareness.
While Kung Fu Panda humorously references Hong Kong martial arts films, it does so without a knowing smugness. And at just 90 mins, this is a tight and fast ride. The script is full of wit and infectious charm; if not a little light on plot.
Jack Black's voice, full of eager wonderment, is perfect as the overweight Po and his comic timing is genius. Angelina Jollie, Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan are just some of the voices in the support cast and they add to the film's star effect.
Dustin Hoffman voices Master Shifu, the guru teacher. And his and Black's scenes are some of the best. They are funny, well executed and not without pathos. In the end though, it's the films message that most won me over.
Devoid of cynicism, Kung Fu Panda is a warm, uplifting film about believing in oneself and never giving up.
By the evident joy in the little four year olds eyes, it would seem the films reached its target audience 3.5 stars. Kung Fu Panda is in cinemas now.
