Kung Fu Panda

Starring: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Jackie Chan

MPAA Rating: PG

Release Date: 06/6/2008

Runtime: 88 minutes

Director: Mark Osborne & John Stevenson

Synopsis:

Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around...which doesn't exactly come in handy while working every day in his family's noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five -- Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey -- under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it's up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart - and his girth - into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.

CMC Review: Written by Aaron Rodriguez

After watching the trailer, my initial impression was simple -- it's a kid's movie, how good can it be? After seeing it with my two nieces , I concluded it was excellent!!!

As the synopsis tells us, there is no bigger fan of Kung Fu than Po, a clumsy panda with a big heart. Po works for his dad ( a goose named Ping) at a local noodle shop bumping into customers, knocking over chairs, and spilling soup. Unsatisfied with his job, Po's often wonders what it would be like to be the greatest martial arts warrior. If there is one thing Po knows, it's Kung Fu mythology. He knows every the details of every legend, every mythological character, and the correct terminology of every Kung Fu maneuver.

Upon hearing an announcement that the great Dragon Warrior would be selected by Oogway, an elderly turtle and originator Kung Fu, the village gleefully rejoices and journeys up the mountain to watch the ceremony in breath taking anticipation. Po, burdened with the responsibilities of his father's restaurant, arrives a little late and is thus locked out of the castle. Determined as ever, Po makes multiple attempts to overpower the door, breach the walls, or slingshot over the castle's parameter using virtually every creative method at his disposal. And just in time, Po manages to fly over the wall in theatrical fashion only to land in the center the legendary Furious Five Kung Fu warriors -- Tigress, Viper, Mantis, Crane, and Monkey. Upon coming to, a decision has been rendered by the great Oogway, and Po has been designated the next Dragon Warrior.

From here on out, the story takes you on a journey through the most important of human domains -- wisdom, faith, courage, and personal determination. How is it that a fat and out of shape panda could be chosen as the greatest Kung Fu warrior and only hope of salvation? Wouldn't something as bizarre as this challenge anyone's faith? And how does one manage to not give up when everyone that's important expects and wants you to fail?

Caution, at times, this story will make you laugh out loud, surprisingly agree with its wisdom, and make you wonder just how this seemingly unprepared panda bear will ever fulfill the prophecies.

This film is clean, entertaining, and good for children. There is no political agenda, nor is there a secular value system pushed on the audience at any time. The values important for children in this film include believing in yourself when others don't, showing respect for others in the midst of adversity, and overcoming personal barriers to achieve great things.

Overall CMC Rating: 89/100

• Entertainment Value: 25/30
• Violence: 14/15
• Language: 20/20
• Sexual Content: 20/20
• Drugs and Alcohol: 10/10