Kung Fu Panda

Computer animation has come a long way since Toy Story, and Kung Fu Panda, although not produced by CGI giant Pixar studios, definitely proves that DreamWorks Animation is on its way to reach the level of artistry previously monopolized by Pixar.

A wild mix of authentic Eastern kung fu action and side-splitting Jack Black comedy, Kung Fu Panda may delight kids with its studded cast of cute furry animals, but adults, especially the die-hard fans of the original kung fu films of the early eighties, may love the film even more.

This film scores high on two counts: the action, and the comedy.

First, the action. Computer animation has the ability to take kung fu movies to a whole new level. Some say Kung Fu Panda looks like a cross between Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Matrix. Hollywood uses something dubbed as "wire fu", which is basically kung fu on wires. This is what gives flight to Zhang Ziyi and Keanu Reeves. Well, with computer animation, the unrealism of wire fu is replaced by the laws of natural physics; hence, flying punches, flying kicks, and flying bodies are more exciting to watch, as they are definitely more realistic.

Second is the comedy. It's Jack Black. What else can you say? The superb animation seems to capture Jack Black's soul and bring it out in his character Po, whose facial gestures and body movements provide as much laughs as his dialogue. And of course, the humor is not really geared toward the younger audiences, but to the adults, and even Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu delivers a few funny lines himself.

Yeah, so the Tigress was voiced by Angelina Jolie, and the Viper was voiced by Lucy Liu, but their performances aren't remarkable at all, as I cannot really imagine them as their character. The only ones who pass the test for me are Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Tai Lung the Snow Leopard, who is voiced by Ian McShane, and Monkey, who is voiced by the legendary Jackie Chan himself. It's not a real kung fu flick if Jackie Chan isn't in it.


Rating: Four and a half stars.