Kung Fu Panda (DVD, 2008, Widescreen)

This is a fantastic story of overcoming great obstacles that anyone can learn a lesson from. Po, an overweight Panda, works every day in his family's noodle shop. His Father, Mr. Ping (voice of James Hong) eventually wants Po to take over the noodle shop, but Po has larger dreams. Little does he know that somehow fate will somehow befall him. He is soon chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Po joins the world of Kung Fu and begins to train with the Legendary - Furious Five - Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper, and Monkey. Shifu is the Kung Fu Master and wise trainer. Many events try and keep Po from becoming a true Dragon Warrior.

The tortoise Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) has a premonition that the evil snow leopard warrior Tai Lung (Ian McShane), the former student of his own protégé, the red panda Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), will escape from prison and return to threaten the Valley of Peace.

The Five battle Tai Lung but are eventually defeated. All except Crane are paralyzed by a special nerve-striking technique, and he manages to carry his friends back to the valley. When they return, Shifu decides Po is ready to open the sacred Dragon Scroll, which promises great power to its possessor. However, when Po opens it, he finds nothing but a blank reflective surface. Stricken with despair at the scroll's apparent worthlessness, Shifu orders his students to lead the villagers to safety while he stays to delay Tai Lung for as long as he can. Po meets up with his father, who tells him the secret ingredient of the family's noodle soup: NOTHING! Things become special, because people believe them to be special.

VOICES INCLUDE:
Jack Black - Po
Dustin Hoffman - Shifu
Seth Rogen - Mantis
Angelina Jolie - Tigress
Jackie Chan - Monkey
Lucy Liu - Viper
James Hong - Mr Ping

5/5 RATING.

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Love it! The story was great and the background was beautiful, it really felt like an ancient Chinese city. This original story is one of the best since Shrek. And the meaning behind the story may be even better! The story is about Po, an overweight panda who is the son of a noodle maker, who dreams of Po following in his footsteps. But Po longs to be a ninja fighter. Po is as you know is a panda bear and the film's unlikely hero: as the bigger than life and completely lovable bear voiced by the comic genius Jack Black. Po is a Sweet but clumsy, bear who hears the news the ancient and long awaited dragon warrior will be named, so he runs (as much as he can) to hear who will be named at the celebration.

Without giving too much away, when an "accident" seems to name Po as the dragon warrior (much to the horror of Master Shifu (voiced perfectly by Dustin Hoffman) and the disappointment of Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross) and Monkey (Jackie Chan). Shifu must find a way to train him. One hilarious moment after another continues until Shifu recognizes Po's true driving force. This is just in time as the villain Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a snow leopard has returned as he believe is the true Dragon Warrior.

I can not recommend this movie enough. Certainly this is marketed for the kids – but the whole family will enjoy it

...as well as showcasing a good film!

The bonus features add quite a bit to the DVD, and are going to be seen more than one by a young viewer.

Additionally, the voices of the Furious Five, and Po the Panda were well cast!

The only voice that I could really 'hear' and visualize the 'human' behind was that of Jack Black's. The others including Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan melded right into their characters!

A fun film, not too short and not too long... Plus what appears to be actual Kung Fu concepts placed into the film!

However, I still hear that song 'Everyone Was Kung Fu Fighting...' as I end this review, LOL !

Michael

From the moment I saw this film on the big screen, I fell in love with it. Being a fan of the Kung-Fu genre, I thrilled at the different styles that were demonstrated (including my favorite, Mantis). The story is fabulous and the writing crisp and witty. The humor is eccentric and unique and all the VAs voice their characters superbly. There's something for everyone in this movie, action, adventure and timeless lessons that are sure to stick with you for a long time. It's even more exciting considering that a sequel is coming out in May, which gives us KFP something to cheer about !

Another wonderful film from the Dreamworks Family! Entertaining for both Children and Parents, with both simple and more complex humor brought by loveable characters voiced by some of the most famous actors of the times; Dustin Hoffman, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Lu, and Ian McShane, just to name a few. A great story about the power of believing in yourself, even when, and most especially when others don't.