Critic Reviews
Kung Fu Panda (2008) Rank 3 Reviews
Expert Review Summary
based on (179) reviews
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Reviews by Score:
Kung Fu Panda is flawed in many of the places you'd expect, but it is
surprisingly successful in other areas. It packs an unexpected wallop
in key dramatic scenes, and the film isn't shy about the kicks and the
punches. The kung fu hurts in this film ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
The movie is full of exaggerated chop-socky action sequences, and most of them are clever and entertaining. The animators clearly have invested some time in studying and gleaning ideas from the Hong Kong kung-fu classics. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
WJFK-FM (CBS Radio) (Kevin McCarthy)
I have never wanted to eat a digital/animated steamed dumpling more in my life than I did when I saw Kung Fu Panda. Jack Black really poured himself completely into this role and the movie turns out to be extremely funny and action packed. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at WJFK-FM (CBS Radio) (Kevin McCarthy)
The New York Times
At once fuzzy-wuzzy and industrial strength, the tacky-sounding âKung Fu Pandaâ is high concept with a heart. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at The New York Times
ComingSoon.net (Edward Douglas)
[DreamWorks Animation] has finally found their successor to the "Shrek" mantle in the hapless hero known as Po the Panda. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at ComingSoon.net (Edward Douglas)
IGN Movies (Cindy White)
The strength of this film is its visual presentation. The characters are well designed and they move with the necessary precision and grace. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at IGN Movies (Cindy White)
Film Journal International (Daniel Eagan)
From its opening sequenceâdone in 2D animation that evokes Samurai Jackâto its meticulous backgrounds and imaginative settings, Kung Fu Panda is an unusually beautiful film to watch. It may not be the most original animated feature, but it is a ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Film Journal International (Daniel Eagan)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"A more traditional story line with traditional music and what has become â for better or for worse â traditional 3-D animation." ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)
Po (voiced by Black) is a lazy panda who idolises the Furious Five kung fu champions: a tigress (Jolie), viper (Liu), mantis (Rogen), crane (Cross) and monkey (Chan) who train under the master Shifu (Hoffman) as they await the revelation of the ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)
NewsBlaze (Kam Williams)
An animated cross of Rocky and The Karate Kid certain to delight this generation of tykes afresh. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at NewsBlaze (Kam Williams)
PopMatters (Bill Gibron)
If the Shaw Brothers had access to CGI and the post-modern voice talent, Kung Fu Panda would have definitely been part of their stable of wuxia epics. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at PopMatters (Bill Gibron)
CineSnob.net (Kiko Martinez)
âKung Fu Pandaâ tells the story of a lazy panda bear named Po (Jack Black) who would rather learn the secrets of his favorite kung fu masters than sell noodles with his loosey-goosey father. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at CineSnob.net (Kiko Martinez)
Movie-Vault.com (LaRae Meadows)
The animation in Kung Fu Panda is phenomenal. The lighting glimmered as the sun moved across the day. I could almost feel most of textures on my ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Movie-Vault.com (LaRae Meadows)
Cinema Blend
Jack Black is always best when heâs asked to play... Jack Black. Fortunately in Kung Fu Panda, that is exactly what he is asked to do. In this DreamWorks animated film about, well, a panda that practices, uh, kung fu, Jack Black is at his Jack ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Cinema Blend
Kung Fu Cinema (Mark Pollard)
Fighting action is as dynamic and creative as any live-action wire-fu match by Yuen Woo-ping while the story is a refreshingly simple tale. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Kung Fu Cinema (Mark Pollard)
![Kung Fu Panda (2008) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Empire Magazine [UK]](../images/3_0.gif)
Empire Magazine [UK]
Slacker panda Po (Black) gets more than he bargained for when he is selected as the Dragon Warrior - a fabled kung fu master - and pitted against a vengeful snow leopard (Ian McShane). ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Empire Magazine [UK]
Killer Movie Reviews (Andrea Chase)
KUNG FU PANDA is pays homage to the Hong Kong Kung Fu epic by being true to the Fu while making sport of clichés. Itâs light-hearted, just a little bit wicked, and all-around fun. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Killer Movie Reviews (Andrea Chase)
ReelzChannel (Thomas Leupp)
Thankfully, I was wrong. Kung Fu Panda is an unexpected delight -- and while I still hope to avoid a repeat of the Shrek experience, the prospect of future Panda-related projects isn't nearly as sickening as it once ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at ReelzChannel (Thomas Leupp)
FilmJudge (David Mercier)
Po (Black) is a panda and Kung Fu fan who works in his father's noodle shop. However, when he hears the first Dragon Warrior for a thousand years is about to be chosen, he makes the trip to the temple. There, he is selected ahead of all the experienced ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at FilmJudge (David Mercier)
Screen Rant
Kung Fu Panda is arguably the best animated movie Dreamworks has produced so far. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Screen Rant
eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress)
Animated action films havenât taken off the way I have hoped over the years. Many of the Pixar films have crafted some bravura individual set pieces and films like Mulan and Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within have attempted some grander epics to varying ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress)
eFilmCritic.com (Rob Gonsalves)
Jack Black is the premier enthusiast in American comedy. Whatever it is â heavy metal, lucha libre wrestling, music trivia, remaking movies on a cheap camcorder â he throws his considerable bulk into it, unbowed by reality or even physics. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Rob Gonsalves)
Eye for Film (Tony Sullivan)
Zen master Oogway (voice of Randall Duk Kim) must choose the Dragon Warrior, an invincible kung fu master who will be the only one capable of defeating the ferocious Tai Lung (Ian McShane) in the unlikely event he should escape from maximum security ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Eye for Film (Tony Sullivan)
Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
As hinted in the first paragraph, the voice-work by the seasoned cast is also terrific. Black truly brings Po alive, and Hoffman and Rogen in particular are able to craft memorable personas out of their otherwise one-dimensional supporting characters. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
None of it sounds encouraging, but the directors find the right mixture of slapstick, satire, and affection to bring out the best in their material. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Good animated movies do a balancing act. They entertain without offending, they dazzle without distracting and they instruct without preaching. And the best ones do it for audiences of all ages. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at St. Louis Post-Dispatch
MightyGanesha.com (Diva Velez)
Kung Fu Panda stars a bunch of cute, highly-merchandisable creatures, but the amount of genuine kung fu movie love that permeates the film shines through to anyone who is a fan of top-notch animated filmmaking, as well as the martial arts genre. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at MightyGanesha.com (Diva Velez)
The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
The succinctly named Kung-Fu Panda delivers exactly what its title promises: Lots of kung-fu and lots of panda. The movie has the same lean, to-the-point simplicity, which is refreshing in an era when so many films take needlessly bloated, talky routes ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Seacoast Newspapers (NH/Maine) (Gina Carbone)
If Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons stumbled onto the steps of Wayne Manor and Alfred said he was destined to be Batman, you'd get something of the are-you-serious fanboy awe of Kung Fu Panda. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Seacoast Newspapers (NH/Maine) (Gina Carbone)
Palo Alto Online (Douglas DeVore)
The panda, Po (voiced by Jack Black), is reluctantly thrust into the spotlight when he is told he must fulfill an ancient prophecy to become one of the greatest kung fu masters of all time. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Palo Alto Online (Douglas DeVore)
The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Aggressively aimed at children but performed with enough wit and humor to keep adults happily entertained, ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Bangor Daily News (Maine) (Christopher Smith)
The movie easily karate chops the weekend competition. A fine, fun film, filled with excellent animation and well-drawn characters. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Bangor Daily News (Maine) (Christopher Smith)
The Deadbolt (Brian Tallerico)
The fight choreography in Kung Fu Panda is the real draw. And, especially in IMAX, the film is never visually boring. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at The Deadbolt (Brian Tallerico)
Movies Schmovies! (Kevin Farley)
Poâs dreams come abruptly true when Oogway, the mystic turtle master of the local monastery, picks the unlikely Po as the âchosen oneâ. Po must contend with the other Kung Fu artists in the monastery â a tiger, a praying mantis, a monkey, a ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Movies Schmovies! (Kevin Farley)
Movies Schmovies! ("Mervius")
Kung Fu Panda doesn't just espouse virtues, it has a few of its own. Action scenes, humor, Jack Black's brand of goofy personality, and a moral or two all combine pretty seamlessly and entertainingly for the quick 90-minute run time. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Movies Schmovies! ("Mervius")
The storyline of "Kung Fu Panda" is pretty familiar. Main character dreams of being a hero. Main character's reality is that he's stuck in his father's business. Main character finds himself with a one-in-a-million opportunity that may allow him to ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at
<<dnb@dca.net>>
Dreamworks' latest animated feature "Kung Fu Panda" features Jack Black (his voice and a sizable chunk of his larger-than-life personality) as a fat and lazy Giant Panda named Po who is accidentally chosen to be the next Dragon Warrior when the former ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at <<dnb@dca.net>>
The storyline of "Kung Fu Panda" is pretty familiar. Main character
dreams of being a hero. Main character's reality is that he's stuck
in his father's business. Main character finds himself with a
one-in-a-million opportunity that may allow him to ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at
Beyond Hollywood
âKung Fu Pandaâ is the story of a fat (is there any other kind?) panda that dreams about being an awesome kung fu warrior, and when given the chance, rises to the occasion. In-between those moments, we get plenty of fat jokes at the pandaâs ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Beyond Hollywood
Box Office Prophets
Not since Robin Williams' exuberant take as the genie in Aladdin (1992) has there been an actor so fitting for an animated role as Jack Black in Kung Fu Panda. I'm willing to bet Black was always the first choice to voice Po, the tubby, jovial panda who ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Box Office Prophets
Blackfilm.com
With the exception of Jet Li and Jackie Chan, you rarely see any martial arts displayed on the big screen unless it involves either of these legendary guys. If you are over the age of thirty, then you may remember the Shaw Bros. films that were shown on ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Blackfilm.com
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
"Kung Fu Panda" follows the typical, expected animated-feature formula, one in which cartoon animals do silly things for laughs. Surprisingly, that somewhat tired formula works quite well here. It's a goofy and mostly good-natured comedy, even though it ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Deseret News, Salt Lake City
San Antonio Express-News (Larry Ratliff)
As preposterous as the idea may be of a potbellied panda who can't even manage a long flight of steps becoming a kung fu master, Jack Black, huffing and puffing all the way, makes it work. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at San Antonio Express-News (Larry Ratliff)
Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
KUNG FU PANDA isn't notable for what it is as much as it's notable for what it isn't. It isn't obnoxious. It isn't without heart or soul. It isn't packed to the rafters with potty humor. And it isn't made solely for the ADD-afflicted. In short, it isn't ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Leonard Maltin's Picks
At one time, every new animated feature was an event. Now that theyâve become commonplace, and the quality of animation has risen to a high level, itâs more difficult for each new venture to stand out. Given that, I find Kung Fu Panda all the more ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Leonard Maltin's Picks
Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
It takes a very worn storyline, infuses it with smart satire and in-jokes and ties it all up in a very pretty package of beautiful artwork. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
rec.arts.movies.reviews (David N. Butterworth)
reamworks' latest animated feature "Kung Fu Panda" features Jack
Black (his voice and a sizable chunk of his larger-than-life
personality) as a fat and lazy Giant Panda named Po who is accidentally
chosen to be the next Dragon Warrior when the former ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at rec.arts.movies.reviews (David N. Butterworth)
CNN.com (Tom Charity)
Ever since Robin Williams' turn as the Genie in "Aladdin," voice artists who specialize in character work for animated movies have been sidelined by celebrities, no doubt tickled to do something they can show to their children. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at CNN.com (Tom Charity)
Cinema in Focus (Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin)
he introduction of the Chinese philosophy of Kung Fu is presented to children in Mark Osborneâs and John Stevensonâs animated film âKung Fu Panda.â Legend claims that Kung Fu was being taught as early as the Yellow Emperor, around 2,600BC, and ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Cinema in Focus (Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin)
Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
"Kung Fu Panda" is a story that almost tells itself in its title. It is so hard to imagine a big, fuzzy panda performing martial-arts encounters that you intuit (and you will be right) that the panda stars in an against-all-odds formula, which dooms him ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Garrett Conti)
A kung fu-crazed panda is at the heart of what is, surprisingly, one of the best family films of 2008: DreamWorks' newest venture into animated movies, "Kung Fu ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Garrett Conti)
Hollywood.com (Pete Hammond)
Kung Fu Panda is a thrilling, funny, charming and inspiring animation triumph that brings out the hero in all of us. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Hollywood.com (Pete Hammond)
National Public Radio (Bob Mondello)
Roly-poly Po is mischievous, easily distracted, perpetually hungry and every bit as martial-arts-besotted as he is clumsy. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at National Public Radio (Bob Mondello)
New York Post (Kyle Smith)
Po speaks loudly and carries big shtick. Let the rest of the world cringe at our hyperconfidence, our charisma, our pure awesomeness. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at New York Post (Kyle Smith)
Variety (Todd McCarthy)
A nice looking but heavily formulaic DreamWorks animation entry. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Variety (Todd McCarthy)
MSNBC (Alonso Duralde)
I'm no fan of casting big movie stars as voices in animated films, but Black and Hoffman have great fun taking their characters from exasperated adversaries to bedgrudging comrades. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at MSNBC (Alonso Duralde)
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Kung Fu Panda adopts a different, less zany tone than one might expect from a movie with that title, especially considering that Jack Black has been brought on board to provide the lead voice. While it would be unfair to say that the movie doesn't ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Newsday
A tubby panda becomes the unlikely choice to battle a martial arts supervillain. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Newsday
Sean the Movie Guy (Sean McBride)
The new animated comedy "Kung Fu Panda" features plenty of chop-socky action and some cute-n-cuddly animated characters; it should prove to be a nice diversion for kiddies looking to kick off their summer vacations at the cineplex. That being said, while ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Sean the Movie Guy (Sean McBride)
Associated Press ()
As summer movies get bigger and bigger, they often make us, the audience, feel smaller and smaller. The bright Kung Fu Panda is a simple and lighthearted exception. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Associated Press ()
Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
WITH CHILDHOOD obesity rates finally peaking, I'm not sure now is the time for a hero who saves the day by being fat, but that's "Kung Fu Panda." In a nutshell. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
EricDSnider.com (Eric D. Snider)
It's slick, energetic, and entertaining enough to separate it from most of the in-it-for-the-cash animated products that the studios have been cranking out the last few years. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at EricDSnider.com (Eric D. Snider)
Big Picture Big Sound (Joe Lozito)
Sticking to a tried-and-true formula (hapless underdog discovers he's the Chosen One) still proves effective when it's done with a snappy pace, eye-popping animation and a cast of game comedic vocal talents headed by Jack Black. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Big Picture Big Sound (Joe Lozito)
Reeling Reviews (Laura Clifford)
an agreeable enough animation with the kid-worthy message to believe in oneself, but the embarrassment of riches that is its superstar vocal cast provides poor returns...Jackie Chan hired to make monkey noises? ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Reeling Reviews (Laura Clifford)
Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
Kung Fu Panda is poppin' with fortune-cookie kernels, such as this one, offered to Po, the title ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
Cinematical (James Rocchi)
Kung Fu Panda may be on the higher edge of the middle rank of computer-animated films, but it'll still provide your kids with a fairly respectable mix of action, amazement and amusement. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Cinematical (James Rocchi)
San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
Kung Fu Panda" is different. Yes, it essentially follows the broad outline of a rags-to-riches children's movie, but it wakes up the formula with imaginative scenes, lively and likable characters, genuinely funny moments and animation that's detailed and ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
If you're looking for risk-free fun at the movies this summer, bet on Kung Fu Panda, a lighthearted animated adventure built on the comic skills and unbridled enthusiasms of Jack Black. Already an animated personality, Black voices Chinese panda Po, who ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
Minneapolis Star Tribune (Colin Covert)
The nicest surprise about Kung Fu Panda is that it's so much better than the goofy-cutesy title would lead you to expect. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Minneapolis Star Tribune (Colin Covert)
Beliefnet (Nell Minow)
Unpretentious sweetness, striking visuals, fresh settings, and strong voice characterizations by Black, Hoffman, Rogen, and Cross make this satisfying family entertainment. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Beliefnet (Nell Minow)
Sacramento Bee (Carla Meyer)
Resistance is not just futile but almost seems churlish in the black-and-white face of such cuteness. Along with some terrific voice performances and lovely animation, the adorability quotient of Kung Fu Panda buoys the film. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Sacramento Bee (Carla Meyer)
Hollywood Reporter ()
Yes, Virginia, a panda can become a kung fu ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Hollywood Reporter ()
Reel.com
Blazing across the screen with eye-popping, sublime artwork, Kung Fu Panda sets itself apart from the modern domestic animation trend with its sheer beauty. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Reel.com
TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Beautifully animated, the celebrity voice performances are terrific, and the action sequences negotiate the fine line between being physically convincing and becoming too intense for the young children who are the filmâs primary audience. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
LivePDX (Kimberly Gadette)
From a studio that's decimated iconic fairy tale characters with its poison pop-culture pen, i.e., Shrek, comes an age-old fable, poetic, pop-free and timeless...yet still an utter hoot. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at LivePDX (Kimberly Gadette)
Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)
Be sure to stay through the credits -- not to listen to yet another inane cover of "Kung Fu Fighting" (Can we make that song go away now? Please? It's more tired than the "Hokey Pokey" at weddings) but to catch one more example of this newfound sense of ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)
Jam! Movies
Some things no amount of animation can salvage. Kenny Rogers' face, for instance. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Jam! Movies
Oregonian (Shawn Levy)
It's not entirely free of lazy writing or cheap jokes. But it's often strikingly drawn and, when it's kicking, breezy and funny. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Oregonian (Shawn Levy)
filmcritic.com (Chris Barsanti)
What helps Kung Fu Panda succeed is not just the classic beauty of the animation but also another way it avoids the Shrek pitfall by steering clear of that series' flat irony and tired snark. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at filmcritic.com (Chris Barsanti)
EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)
The locale, not the message, is the thing in DreamWorks new animation feature, "Kung Fu Panda," a passable but neither great nor particularly inventive family entertainment. The film repeats the same notion of heroism kids have been hearing for decades ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)
The Age
Disarming, good-natured DreamWorks animation, set in the world of Chinese martial arts, about a clumsy panda called Po (voiced by Jack Black) who fantasises about becoming a martial arts hero. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at The Age
Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton)
Whatever else may be said of Kung Fu Panda, I know this much is true: it is by far the most visually appealing film yet released by DreamWorks Animation. They're certainly not in the same league as the masters of the universe over at Pixar, but they've ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Kung Fu Panda gets a solid recommendation for being a good example of every genre one could label it as. It's an amiable comedy, a lively adventure, fantastic animation, entertaining for families (though young boys will like it most), and a worthwhile ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Nights and Weekends (Kristin Dreyer Kramer)
Like the great Master Shifu, I, too, was pretty skeptical about the whole thingâmostly because Jack Black is one of those comic ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Nights and Weekends (Kristin Dreyer Kramer)
Screenjabber
But for all my moaning about wasted potential and lightweight storylines (something you'd never get at Pixar), it must be said Kung Fu Panda gets the funny right, and that's the real crux of this movie. From beginning to end I was laughing, snorting, ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Screenjabber
Boxoffice Magazine (Phil Contrino)
Jack Black provides the voice for Po, a panda with a yearning to unleash some kung fu, in Dreamworks Animationâs Kung Fu Panda. Panda is pretty much a competently told âchase your dreamsâ tale that also offers some pretty exciting visuals and some ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Boxoffice Magazine (Phil Contrino)
Reno News and Review (Bob Grimm)
A panda learns Kung Fu. If that sounds good to you, then have at it. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Reno News and Review (Bob Grimm)
Metromix.com (Geoff Berkshire)
No more impressive than anything you could randomly dial up on Cartoon Network. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Metromix.com (Geoff Berkshire)
Baltimore City Paper (Cole Haddon)
The problem with Kung Fu Panda, though, is that unlike the Shrek movies--which satirized popular fairy tales and juxtaposed them with today's pop culture--Panda does nothing more than pay homage, often lazily, to the genre that inspired it. It's almost ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Baltimore City Paper (Cole Haddon)
The Guardian (Peter Bradshaw)
Some years ago, the movie writer and award-winning children's novelist SF Said was telling me about a stalled proposal to make a screen version of his book Varjak Paw, all about a kitten who survives on the mean city streets by using an occult form of ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at The Guardian (Peter Bradshaw)
SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
The panda Po dreams of being a great martial artist and fighting alongside the legendary Furious Five. In reality, Po is stuck working as a waiter in his fatherâs noodle shop. At the Jade Palace, the turtle master Oogway has a premonition that former ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
NewsBlaze (Prairie Miller)
How an eating disorder paunchy punching bag morphs into an accidental fighter and subsequent Dragon Warrior by default, literally and figure-atively throwing his weight around. A Jenny Craig wet dream. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at NewsBlaze (Prairie Miller)
ReelTalk Movie Reviews (Jeffrey Chen)
A pleasant surprise. It avoids easy targets and actually bases its humor in its performances. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at ReelTalk Movie Reviews (Jeffrey Chen)
Boxoffice Magazine
Even though Panda is one of the last animated flicks that Dreamworks wonât be making in 3D itâs still very easy on the eyes and it should help to keep the studio in competition this summer with the juggernaut that is Pixar. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Boxoffice Magazine
New York Daily News (Elizabeth Weitzman)
This is an unashamedly old-fashioned children's movie, and a predictable message is part of the mission. But that's okay; what the movie lacks in surprises, it makes up for in whimsical fun ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at New York Daily News (Elizabeth Weitzman)
St. Paul Pioneer Press ()
The jokey title sells this clever, old-fashioned film short. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at St. Paul Pioneer Press ()
Entertainment Insiders (Scott Mantz)
âKung Fu Pandaâ has a nice message, but itâs just a little too simple. That wonât stop it from doing gangbusters at the box office, since there hasnât been anything like it since âHorton Hears a Who!â last March. Itâs the kind of movie ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Entertainment Insiders (Scott Mantz)
Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
Neither as original as Ratatouille nor as funny as Shrek. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
About.com Hollywood Movies (Rebecca Murray)
Overall, Kung Fu Pandaâs an entertaining yet forgettable addition to the animated movie genre, although Iâm sure there will be a batch of kids whoâll beg to differ with me on that point. Kids will definitely get a kick out of Poâs lovable ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at About.com Hollywood Movies (Rebecca Murray)
The Phantom Tollbooth
Po the Panda (Black) wants to break away from his roots in the noodle restaurant business and follow the path of his local kung fu heroes. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at The Phantom Tollbooth
UGO (Keith Uhlich)
Hardly a groundbreaker, but still impressive in a good many of its particulars. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at UGO (Keith Uhlich)
Frank's Reel Reviews
It'd be easy to shrug off Kung Fu Panda as a babysitter film to help kill a couple of hours with the restless out-of-schoolers. But the reality is that everyone will walk away completely satisfied with a film that is not only beautifully rendered, but ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Frank's Reel Reviews
Chicago Tribune (Geoff Berkshire)
The blandly executed âKung Fu Pandaâ isnât unbearable but is, at best, modestly amusing and no more impressive than anything you could randomly dial up on Cartoon Network. The best advice for anyone on the fence about seeing it: save your time and ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Chicago Tribune (Geoff Berkshire)
Film Threat (Pete Vonder Haar)
[...]it's mercifully free of the kind of ephemeral pop culture-dependent humor that's plagued every previous DreamWorks cartoon. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Film Threat (Pete Vonder Haar)
NewsBlaze (Prairie Miller)
Screen stars in interviews often brag with enormous relief, how doing voices for animated movies is a great ego booster when it comes to hiding aging and associated wrinkles, along with a few extra pounds. Not so apparently for the targeted kid viewers, ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at NewsBlaze (Prairie Miller)
Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews (Harry Knowles)
There really wasnât anything about KUNG FU PANDAâs trailers or advertisements that made me interested in seeing the film. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews (Harry Knowles)
Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
A slight cut above such recent computer-animated films as Madagascar and Ice Age: The Meltdown, Kung Fu Panda follows the title character (Jack Black's Po) through the various misadventures that ensue after he's selected as his small village's "Dragon ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
Globe and Mail ()
Everybody loves kung-fu fighting, but we absolutely adore pandas. And why not? They're endangered, smartly decorated and reassuringly vegetarian. Kids everywhere, adults too, are crazy about them. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Globe and Mail ()
Film Blather (Eugene Novikov)
Why create a universe this utterly gonzo if all you're going to do is repeat the same 'believe-in-yourself' and 'everyone-is-special' pablum kids have heard a million times? ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Film Blather (Eugene Novikov)
Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Kung Fu Panda" is extraordinarily detailed. Individual peach blossoms dance gently in the breeze, blades of grass wave, minor characters do amusing things in the background during crowd scenes. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Richmond Times-Dispatch
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Cathy Jakicic)
Imaginatively done, full of peril, surprise and even humor. ...read the complete Kung Fu Panda movie review at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Cathy Jakicic)
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