Doug's Perspective on Entertainment

Rated PG

Voice work by Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan

Kung Fu Panda is possibly the greatest animated picture to come from DreamWorks Studios. It's a roller coaster ride of kung fu action that features excellent animation, a great sense of humor, and spectacular voice work. I haven't had this much fun with an animated movie since the Incredibles.

The story follows a tough luck Panda named Po who has grand illusions of becoming a kung fu master like his idols, the Furious Five. Unfortunately he is stuck working with his father, who runs a noodle shop. As can be expected, he gets swept up into a martial arts adventure full of slapstick comedy and action sequences full of martial arts clichés.

Extended fight sequences manage to be entertaining and hilarious, and unlike other dreamworks films such as Shrek and Ice Age, the jokes fit the universe that the movie takes place in. Also nice is voice work that uses celebrities, yet doesn't distract from the film. Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, and others all do a great job with their characters and make them more likable.

This year is already shaping up to be a fantastic year for animated films, and Kung Fu Panda is destined to be one the year's best. It is one of those rare kids films that is just as fun for the adults and it is not to be missed.

Doug’s score: ****