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Kung Fu Panda 9 out of 10 Posted: 07/05/08
Running time: 1:30 MPAA rating: PG (Sequences of martial arts action.) Peruvian rating: Apta para Todos
Cast:
(voices) Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman,
Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Lucy Liu, David Cross,
Seth Rogen, Randall Duk Kim. |
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Kung Fu Panda is one of the most entertaining CGI-animated motion pictures I have ever seen. Although the storyline it presents is predictable and some of the characters are a little paper-thin for my taste, the film as a whole is marvelously fun. I mean, Kung Fu Panda has everything: beautifully choreographed martial arts action sequences, charismatic characters, solid voice acting, hilarious moments, an engaging visual style, and even a compelling message about believing in oneself. Is it perfect? Not really but, for me, it doesn't have to be. Although I've been waiting to see this movie for some time now - it has been released here in Peru about three weeks after it debuted in North American theatres - and I had pretty high expectations, the film didn't disappoint me. Actually, I liked it more than the first Shrek, and it's one the same level as one of the most memorable Pixar movies, The Incredibles.
The film tells the story of Po the Panda (Jack Black), who lives in China's Valley of Peace (it seems the whole of China is populated by talking animals instead of humans), and spends his time dreaming about turning into a martial artist; he's a fanboy. He also works for his father, Mr. Ping (James Hong) making and serving noodle soup. Meanwhile, at the top of an interminable set of stairs, inside *the* temple, the head monk, Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim), has had a vision: bad guy Tia Lung (Ian McShane) is about to escape from prison and come to the village to take revenge from the ones who imprisoned him in the first place. To stop him, Oogway must choose the legendary Dragon Warrior. Master Shifu's (Dustin Hoffman) five apprentices seem to be the only candidates: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), Crane (David Cross), and Mantis (Seth Rogen). But after a couple of accidents and some hilarious antics, the old turtle ends up choosing Po. Shifu obviously doesn't want to train him (how could this fat and wobbly Panda defeat Tai Lung?), but he eventually discovers that our fat protagonist has more talents than anyone would credit him with.
Kung Fu Panda actually starts with the right foot: the 2D animated sequence that opens the film, apart from being hilarious (Jack Black's voice over and overuse of the world "awesome" (and its derivatives) had me rolling on the floor laughing) is visually arresting, and contrasts deeply with the rest of the CGI-animated film. That's not to say the movie is ugly; actually it is beautifully rendered. From the talking animals to the backgrounds and the glorious Chinese vistas, Kung Fu Panda is one pretty movie to look at. (Although I'm sure Wall-E has defeated this movie in the visual department, I haven't had the opportunity of watching it, as it hasn't been released here in Peru yet.) The characters have a cartoony look to them - although they don't look as "boxy" as the animals in the overrated Madagascar - and Po himself looks cuddly and adorable enough to make an impact on grown-up audiences and children alike.
The movie also provides with the right mixture of comedy and action to make it amazingly entertaining without being too serious or too lighthearted. Yes, there are laughs to be had - most of them courtesy of Jack Black as Po - but the movie never turns too fatuous, so that the martial arts sequences and the overall storyline don't fail. And speaking of the action... this is the first time I've seen an animated film containing such awesomely (hehe) choreographed martial arts scenes. Granted, Pixar's The Incredibles had some compelling action sequences, but the fight scenes in Kung Fu Panda tops them all. They are never too serious - nobody bleeds (even though they crack walls and floors and falls from extremely high altitudes) and everybody defies the laws of physics - and, most surprisingly, they all pay homage to previous life-action martial arts movies. All the gliding and jumping reminds me of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and the punching and kicking is similar to the fights in movies like The Matrix or films starring Jet Li. Also, the comedic nature of the combats - Po's training and his final battle with Tai Lung are perfect examples - is reminiscent to the encounters in Jackie Chan's Asian films. (Of course, Jackie Chan lends his voice to Master Monkey.) If one thing is for sure, is that in terms of action, Kung Fu Panda will disappoint no one.
Another thing I love about the movie is that it actually feels Chinese. That might sound weird considering we're talking about an American animated movie, but while watching Kung Fu Panda, I had the feeling the filmmakers had done extensive research in order to make the movie as culturally accurate as possible. (Something Spielberg and co. should have done for the otherwise memorable Indy IV.) Visually, the movie is pure China, (at least it looks more or less like what I have seen in many Asian films) but it also succeeds in other aspects. For example, the "Furious Five" (Crane, Mantis, Tiger, Monkey and Viper) are based on actual martial arts styles, and the attacks on the nerve points is also a real Kung Fu attack. This makes the movie all the more interesting, because it makes it apparent that the filmmakers, apart from wanting to make a thoroughly entertaining movie, also wanted to honour Chinese culture.
Voice acting, while adequate, is not as effective as in most Pixar productions, I'm afraid. Jack Black is perfect as Po. He's funny and cute and charismatic without going over-the-top, and the sequence in which he enters the temple and acts like a typical fanboy (the way I act when I see Star Wars memorabilia or go to see a long-awaited movie, I must confess) is voice-acted perfectly. As Master Shifu, Dustin Hoffman provides with some dignity to the character - although it's apparent he's having tons of fun - and Ian McShane is great as villainous Tai Lung. The "Furious Five", though, are somehow disappointing. Angelina Jolie is only good as Tigress; Seth Rogen is unrecognizable as Mantis; Lucy Liu is, believe it or not, cute-sounding as Viper; David Cross is just a voice for Crane, and Jackie Chan only has a couple of lines as Monkey. Despite his pronunciation problems and his accent, I wanted to hear more from Chan.
Even though it's flawed, I had a terrific time watching Kung Fu Panda. I know the plot is extremely predictable (after all, it's been done in countless animated and live-action films) and some of the characters (the Furious Five) are paper-thin. I doesn't matter. The movie is beautifully rendered, voice-acting is good (but Black and Hoffman are great), action sequences are top-notch and gags are hilarious, and Chinese culture is shown in all its - accurate - glory. This time, I must day, DreamWorks has pleasantly surprised me. After such disappointments like Madagascar, Shrek the Third and Bee Movie, the animation company has managed to create a truly memorable motion picture. Kung Fu Panda might not be on the same level as Pixar's best films - Toy Story and its sequel, Ratatouille and many more - but it doesn't need to be. This is one funny, exciting, cute and, most importantly, fun animated summer movie.
©2008 Sebastián Zavala - GG site