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Kung Fu Panda

Buzz says:   MPAA Rating: PG
Current Showtimes: No showtimes available

This might be a slight overstatement, but Kung Fu Panda is to animated movies what Star Wars is to the cliché tale of the hero’s journey: strangely original and surprisingly entertaining (and filled with noodles). That’s right noodles.

Kung Fu Panda stars Jack Black as an unlikely Panda destined for Kung Fu greatness. The tale revolves around a little village at the peak of the Himalayas protected by five warriors who learn the secrets of martial arts with the hopes of earning the fabled dragon warrior power. An evil Tiger fighter, however, wants that power for himself and comes to plunder it from the innocent town. Featuring such classy voices as Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogan, Michael Clarke Duncan and the ever hilarious James Hong, Kung Fu Panda is continuously set for “laugh.” The visual gags and jokes are honestly hilarious. I particularly love the over-the-top Bruce Lee meets Samurai Jack style.

Speaking of visuals, the animation to Kung Fu Panda is innovate and crisp. Each scene is ripe with vibrant detail and the mise-en-scene of the action is seamlessly interactive. It’s a feast for the eyes.

As mentioned earlier, the story is nothing innovative -- since when has any post-70’s children’s cartoon been? -- but executed in such a way that it’s hardly trite. Everything from the origins of the tale to the moral of the story are done in such a way that the movie maintains its sense of wit and charm without sacrificing for sappiness. The result is, in my opinion, the best animated film since The Incredibles in 2005; it’s certainly better than the last two Shrek movies. If only more children’s movie were like Kung Fu Panda -- designed for kids, but appealing to adults -- I could perhaps stand to see them.