To paraphrase "Kung Fu Fighting" - mercifully heard only once, and in tweaked end-credit form by Gnarls Barkley - "Kung Fu Panda" is as fast as lightning and a little bit frightening but done with expert timing.
Comment
06/06/08
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
89
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:159
Fresh:141
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
101 - 120 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
This is one kid's movie where the grownups shouldn't have to fight over who has to take the children. Instead, everyone should get in on the fun.
06/06/08
A good-natured, entertaining romp and, in my experience, not a bad kid discussion-starter. You can't ask much more from an animated panda kung fu movie than that.
06/06/08
Kung Fu Panda is far more exciting and abundantly more exhilarating than it has any right to be.
06/06/08
Dreamworks is bringing old school to the new school with Kung Fu Panda, which quietly lumbers around in its first half before proving itself a worthy master of the art in its action-packed second.
06/06/08
It's elegantly drawn, the action sequences are packed with energy, and it's short enough that older viewers will be forgiving. For the kids, of course, all this stuff is much of a muchness, and here they go again.
06/06/08
Top CriticIt's a howl and amazement for anyone under 12. As is often the way with middling kids' movies, parents who grow tired of the film are treated to a satisfying consolation prize: watching their children have fun.
06/06/08
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.
06/05/08
It lacks that final spark of ingenuity or inspiration that would have transformed it from an amusing idea into a full-fledged movie worth watching.
06/05/08
A pleasant surprise. It avoids easy targets and actually bases its humor in its performances.
06/05/08
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.
06/05/08
A snappy, amusingly witty family comedy. Kids will undoubtedly love the film, while adults won't feel talked down to.
06/05/08
Both a surprisingly good kung fu movie and a solid family flick… The story is sweeter and shows more heart than you might think.
06/05/08
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?
06/05/08
[DreamWorks Animation] has finally found their successor to the "Shrek" mantle in the hapless hero known as Po the Panda.
06/05/08
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.
06/05/08
Unpretentious sweetness, striking visuals, fresh settings, and strong voice characterizations by Black, Hoffman, Rogen, and Cross make this satisfying family entertainment.
06/05/08
Kung Fu Panda is yet another celebrity-voiced animal adventure, but it stands out from the crowd of similar films with its lightning wit and whirlwind brio.
06/05/08
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?
06/05/08
At once fuzzy-wuzzy and industrial strength, the tacky-sounding Kung Fu Panda is high concept with a heart.
06/05/08
Top CriticLatest 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...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
40 Best Films of the 2000s
Last week, Moviefone offered us their worst films of the 2000s. Now see their 40 best!
Competitions
Win Funny People on DVD
We're giving away copies of Judd Apatow's latest.
RSS Feeds