Kung Fu Panda (Widescreen Edition)

Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 11/07/2008 Run time: 88 minutes Rating: Pg

What's a panda to do when his dreams of kung-fu awesomeness awake to the cold reality of noodle-making? Clumsy, overweight Po (Jack Black) dreams of becoming a kung fu master like China's revered "furious five," but instead seems destined to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in the restaurant business. When great leader Oogway has a vision that the imprisoned kung fu warrior Tai Lung (Ian McShane) will soon escape, he declares it time to choose China's dragon warrior--one kung fu master deemed worthy of possessing the dragon's scroll and its secret to limitless power. Po and all the townspeople rush to the Jade Palace atop the highest mountain to witness the contest between Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogan), Crane (David Cross) and Viper (Lucy Liu), but Po is locked outside the palace. After a miracle of sorts, Po lands inside the palace gates, where he is chosen as the dragon warrior and placed under the tutelage of the decidedly non-plussed master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). An unconventional student to say the least, hilarity reigns as Shifu tries desperately to make Po into some semblance of a kung fu warrior. Can Po possibly fulfill his destiny as dragon warrior, or was Oogway's final decision a critical mistake? A film rich with hilarious moments, superior animation, and an important message about believing in oneself and the power that comes from within, Kung Fu Panda is great entertainment that will have the whole family laughing and begging for more. (Ages 3 and older) --Tami Horiuchi




Stills from Kung Fu Panda (Click for larger image)

I really felt like I'd gotten out of something earlier this year when my husband offered to take kids to see this movie in the theater. Even after they said it was good, I still didn't quite believe them. (I've sat through enough cyncial/crummy Dreamworks movies--for example, Over the Hedge, Bee Movie, Magadascar, Shark Tales, and Shrek 3--to cause me to lose faith in the brand.) But Santa brought Kung Fu Panda on DVD and we watched it together yesterday. It was actually quite good--stunning animation, and a good story with a valuable message. In fact, one of the main themes of the film echoed something Nancy Pelsoi said in her recent book about women's leadership, "Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters." How's that for an unexpected connection?

I spend lots of time with nine- and ten-year-olds, and I really appreciate things that are truly aimed at them. Not too babyish, but not just wholesale appropriation of teen culture, either (as in, "Mom, when can I have a cell phone?"). Kung Fu Panda hit that sweet spot for me. It is too intense for little ones but I thought it was great for older elementary on up.

This movie was very well written and would be appropriate for children and young adults alike.

Has all the characteristics of a great martial arts movie, including a very wise teacher. Jealous senior students.

Bad student who went to the dark side, but in whom the force runs strong.

And they did it all with ordinary old cartoons!

Perfectly okay for all ages, and everybody in the family will enjoy it.

Old boring dad saves the day, and the kid nobody believed in becomes a hero and beats the bad guy.

All in all, a wonderful movie!

This was a delighful movie and the nieces and nephew enjoyed it very much , as well as I. It taught a very good message to all of us.

The panda, a very round being, has a passion for Kung Fu. And altho nobody believes in him, it is a story of coming into his own -and he doesn't have to stop being round to do so. Great lessons for kids. Not boring for adults. May be a bit scary for very young ones since there is quite a powerful, intense, nearly unstoppable tiger.