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.
Comment
06/11/08
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
89
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:160
Fresh:142
Rotten:18
Average Rating:7.2/10
Consensus: Kung Fu Panda has a familiar message, but the pleasing mix of humor, swift martial arts action, and colorful animation makes for winning Summer entertainment.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Jun 26, 2008 Wide
US Box Office: $215,395,021
Synopsis: "Kung Fu Panda" features Jack Black as Po the Panda, a lowly waiter in a noodle restaurant, who is a kung fu fanatic but whose shape doesn't exactly lend itself to kung fu fighting. In fact, Po's... [More]
Starring: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan
Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Reviews for Kung Fu Panda
41 - 60 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
The near genius of the film -- big-name stars doing voices to one side -- is that it almost completely eschews the snarky postmodern, pop-culture-referencing sensibility.
06/11/08
By far the most visually appealing film yet released by DreamWorks Animation.
06/10/08
Kid's will enjoy this movie, but I think Kung Fu geeks will like it even more. It's one of the most action-packed movies in theaters now!
06/10/08
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.
06/10/08
The action tends to blur into a whirlwind of slapstick chaos.
06/10/08
An animated cross of Rocky and The Karate Kid certain to delight this generation of tykes afresh.
06/09/08
There's an old saying about how a great musical will "leave 'em dancing in the aisles." Well this movie provides the kung fu equivalent of that.
06/09/08
Fast, light, and easy-to-swallow, 'Kung Fu Panda' is an ideal repast for families to enjoy during early summer at the multiplex.
06/09/08
[C]harming and gorgeously animated... kids of all ages, including the grownup ones, will love [it]...
06/09/08
The fight choreography in Kung Fu Panda is the real draw. And, especially in IMAX, the film is never visually boring.
06/09/08
[...]it's mercifully free of the kind of ephemeral pop culture-dependent humor that's plagued every previous DreamWorks cartoon.
06/09/08
Click to read the article
06/09/08
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.
06/08/08
Story of a roly poly panda makes movie magic
06/08/08
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.
06/08/08
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.
06/08/08
Big and bouncy, Kung Fu Panda is another powerhouse Family Entertainment that means to pummel its young viewers into adulation.
06/08/08
The open got my interest up because the animation style recalled the Emmy-winning Cartoon Network show Samurai Jack. Unfortunately, when the dream ends, so does the innovative visual style...
06/08/08
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.
06/07/08
Latest News for Kung Fu Panda
May 14, 2009:
Stevenson Goes from Panda to Minotaur 
"The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break," Steven Sherrill's 2000 novel about a minotaur who works as a cook in a Midwestern diner, will get a live-action/CGI adaptation courtesy... More...
May 10, 2009:
Cannes 2009: RT's 10 Most Anticipated Movies
The Cannes Film Festival will screen nearly 100 films as part of its Official Selection and associated sidebars when it kicks off next week in the Southern France town. The... More...
January 31, 2009:
Kung Fu Panda Dominates 36th Annie Awards
Kung Fu Panda dominated the 36th Annual Annie Awards, the most prestigious awards ceremony for feature and television animation. Wall-E was shut out from every award it was... More...
January 08, 2009:
Broadcast Film Critics Name Critics' Choice Winners
The 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards were given on January 8, 2009, to honor the finest achievements in 2008 filmmaking. A list of nominees follows below, with winners in bold: More...
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