Kung Fu Panda - Review
I've been literally on the run for the past few weeks and I'm a tad bit behind with my movie viewing. Fortunately, the task of catching up looks to be a pleasant one and I'm starting with this movie!
Here's what I thought:
Kung Fu Panda
9 out of 10 overall.
Full-fare value.
Well worth seeing.
Tight and fun!
Rated PG
Running time: 1h 31m
When I first saw the trailers and heard that the 'team that brought you Shrek' had a new movie coming out, I was underwhelmed at best. But as the premiere date for Kung Fu Panda drew closer, my skepticism shrank and I was actually starting to look forward to whatever they had to offer. And what they had to offer was a whole lot of fun!
I hit a matinee this afternoon and may have been the only adult without a child in tow, not that it bothered me. My only fear was that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the movie for all the talking and squabbling I anticipated from the junior sectors of the audience. Just the opposite may have been closer to the truth!
Kung Fu Panda starts out fairly slow, but quickly finds the accelerator and sets about building speed. And it's all done with a wonderfully crafted touch, both looking and feeling great along the way. The movie's art direction is amazing and complete, with great voice acting matched to some stunning and hilarious animation. (My big surprise was that English actor, Ian McShane, from the BBC series, Lovejoy - a personal favorite - voiced the snow leopard, Tai Lung!) Directors Mark Osbourne and John Stevenson did a sterling job of bringing both the world and the characters to life. But it would have all been for not if there hadn't been a solid story behind everything.
It's more than a little obvious that the screen writers, Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, are big fans of the kung fu movie genre. The story unfolds around some tried and true kung fu cliches, only more so and with a few twists. And thankfully, unlike the Shrek franchise, all of the satire and humor were drawn from within the kung fu movie genre, rather than using any contemporary avenues. And even though the 6 to 12-year old crowd couldn't possibly be well-versed in the kung fu movie traditions, they were none-the-less laughing they butts off at all the right places! It also didn't hurt matters that the main story, the two or three sub-plots, and all of the characters were refreshingly un-convoluted, well-defined, and presented in a way that made them all accessible.
I had a great time with Kung Fu Panda and can't wait to drag other people to see it! Oh, and once again, for those who stay to the end of the credits, there's an added treat!
Here's what I thought:
Kung Fu Panda
9 out of 10 overall.
Full-fare value.
Well worth seeing.
Tight and fun!
Rated PG
Running time: 1h 31m
When I first saw the trailers and heard that the 'team that brought you Shrek' had a new movie coming out, I was underwhelmed at best. But as the premiere date for Kung Fu Panda drew closer, my skepticism shrank and I was actually starting to look forward to whatever they had to offer. And what they had to offer was a whole lot of fun!
I hit a matinee this afternoon and may have been the only adult without a child in tow, not that it bothered me. My only fear was that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the movie for all the talking and squabbling I anticipated from the junior sectors of the audience. Just the opposite may have been closer to the truth!
Kung Fu Panda starts out fairly slow, but quickly finds the accelerator and sets about building speed. And it's all done with a wonderfully crafted touch, both looking and feeling great along the way. The movie's art direction is amazing and complete, with great voice acting matched to some stunning and hilarious animation. (My big surprise was that English actor, Ian McShane, from the BBC series, Lovejoy - a personal favorite - voiced the snow leopard, Tai Lung!) Directors Mark Osbourne and John Stevenson did a sterling job of bringing both the world and the characters to life. But it would have all been for not if there hadn't been a solid story behind everything.
It's more than a little obvious that the screen writers, Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, are big fans of the kung fu movie genre. The story unfolds around some tried and true kung fu cliches, only more so and with a few twists. And thankfully, unlike the Shrek franchise, all of the satire and humor were drawn from within the kung fu movie genre, rather than using any contemporary avenues. And even though the 6 to 12-year old crowd couldn't possibly be well-versed in the kung fu movie traditions, they were none-the-less laughing they butts off at all the right places! It also didn't hurt matters that the main story, the two or three sub-plots, and all of the characters were refreshingly un-convoluted, well-defined, and presented in a way that made them all accessible.
I had a great time with Kung Fu Panda and can't wait to drag other people to see it! Oh, and once again, for those who stay to the end of the credits, there's an added treat!