In order to unwind after a long weekend business trip in Mexico, I got back to my hotel by nearly 8 PM after going back to Mexico a second time that day. So, a movie was in order, since Kung-Fu Panda was up for a showing not twenty minutes later.
So was it worth it? Yes.
Though cliched through and through (which was the point, after all) the art style was coherent and crisp. It played up some of the best and most definitive marks of martial arts films, and even included a cameo of Jackie Chan as Monkey.
Jack Black’s humor fit perfectly with Po‘s character without detracting from the animation. I thought there might be a mental disconnect as I watched, but after a while you really started seeing Mr. Black as a panda.
The only time the cheese really took over was when the film tried to take itself seriously, as Po‘s master consoled with his own master about the truths of kung-fu. For one moment, it seemed that Po‘s world was fatalist, then other moment, there was sovereign theocracy, then other, pantheism. Make up your mind, kung-fu masters!
But seriously, at least see it in matinee. I’m sure it will do quite well on DVD release and cable showings. Too bad some of the main characters don’t lend themselves to good action figures.
