MY RATING: B+RUN TIME: 92 min
MPAA RATING: PG
MY REVIEW: Move over Pixar and take Nemo with you because DreamWorks has just put out the next great masterpiece of digital animation. The artwork in Kung Fu Panda was even better than my dream of being in China with Mulan. From start to finish the detail and richness of the animation was incredible. Truly a visual delight. At one point you can see leaves shimmering in the sunlight and the work that must have went into small details like that is hard to imagine. The last time I fell in love with graphics like this was Shrek, however, Kung Fu Panda takes animation to whole new level. Pixar has a lot of work to do if it wants to catch up.
The movies biggest surprise was Jack Black, the panda named Po. (There's something about that name.) Jack black actually was not annoying. He was able to wash off his characteristic crude and creepy demeanor and offer a performance with real craft. It was a controlled, almost reserved Black that I found refreshing and enjoyable. Angelina Jolie, who plays Tigress, on the other hand gave a bland performance that fell short.
Just because you're making a family film doesn't mean you need to write the same, predictable story that you expect from a charming Kung Fu movie. With that said, this was a great family film with good laughs and creative fight scenes with minimal violence. With "sucked" as the only real naughty word I could pick out, this movie is great for the little ones.
I've been waiting for this year's first animated film (and No! Speed Racer doesn't count) and I was very pleased with Kung Fu Panda. With an A-class cast and mind-blowing animation this movie will definitely become a classic.
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