ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

ActuallyGlimmer The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Kamila Bell This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Billylkbrooke Preface: This 10/10 rating has not come lightly, primarily as I have had wildly differing views of this film over the years. The first watch had me thoroughly charmed and entertained, but some aspects of its humour concerned me enough to think this film warranted a generous 8/10. With repeated viewings, I now quote the film when watching it, so the script has certainly won me over, but with every viewing I have enjoyed the film more because my first viewing missed what made this film brilliant - depth. On this note, I would like to preface this review, saying simply that this is not a film you will immediately think is fantastic. However, repeated viewings will show you that this is a deeply underrated and underappreciated film.Review Proper: Superficially Kung Fu Panda is a simple but pretty film. It is about a Panda, Po, who is unwittingly chosen to become the Dragon Warrior, a legendary Kung Fu master granted with limitless power. He is granted this to defeat Tai Lung, an evil snow leopard with a penchant for revenge against his former master Shi-fu. The plot is not difficult to follow and is moderately predictable, providing a typical underdog story. Jack Black amuses with frequent quips throughout the film, and a surrounding cast of impressive names (Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogan and James Hong among many others) gives the plot weight. The script is also genially witty, and is full of wonderfully written lines (there's the odd stumble, but Oogway is a character you have to listen carefully to because his every line is beautifully poetic). This is also a film of technical beauty; the visuals are undeniably stunning, and the music is exceptional. Hans Zimmer and John Powell worked together to write a fantastic score that immersed me fully within the Chinese setting. Oogway ascending is a famous piece for good reason, so basically go listen to it right now because it is amazing. All this makes Kung Fu Panda a good film, a solid 8/10 that packs in charm, laughter and entertainment to make its 1hr30 runtime fly past. However, this film moves from a good one to a great one because of its depth in thematic storytelling.So thematically, this story is about three ideas. I will have to discuss them vaguely, because I'm trying to keep spoilers to a minimum, but watch out for how these are developed in the film because it will heighten your experience. First is a question of identity. Po is the only Panda in the story - he stands out, so immediately the story broaches the issue of what he wants to do with his unique life; follow his foster father or forge his own path. This juxtaposition sets up the issue of time, and how we ourselves set our lives to fulfil the past for a future we can't foresee. The theme of Ambition plays into this, as the main antagonist has the same ultimate ambition as Po of becoming a master of Kung Fu, but how they both seek to obtain it sets them apart. Tai Lung is exceptional, but his arrogance and inherent evil makes him too corrupt to be the dragon warrior. Po is simple and kind hearted, but he lacks any natural skill at Kung Fu to be the dragon warrior either. The story explores this effectively, juxtaposing Tai Lung and Po enough to establish that the answer is not what you want (the future) or who you were born as (the past) but who you are (the present). The past, present and future are frequently juggled and juxtaposed as their value for identity effectively sets up the main idea of the story; being content.At its heart Kung Fu Panda really is about being content and says that we need to appreciate who we are now, what we currently have, to be happy. The burden of the past and the mystery of the future only holds us back. This is central to Shi-fu's story arc just as it is for Po; apprentice and master alike are both held back by their ambitions and the burden of the past, and both appreciate by the films close that the present is most important of all. They can't change their past, and cannot foresee the future, so they understand that all they can do is live with the lives they have. That the story of the film juggles Identity and Ambition into this idea seamlessly is testament to the brilliant writing of this film, and showcases how effectively complex thematic writing heightens a film. This is all epitomised in a surprising post-credits scene. This scene is wordless, simple and yet reinforces a metaphor, used early in the film as foreshadowing, that shows the writers really knew what they were doing and heightens the depth of the film from a great film to a thematic masterpiece.Conclusion: It is quite easy to be caught by the superficial goodness of Kung Fu Panda. Its recognisable plot, its simple protagonist and equally simplistic antagonist, all coincide with visuals and music to provide an enjoyable family film. However, this almost sets this film on the wrong footing by diverting attention away from the intelligence of its thematic writing. The story interweaves complex ideas of identity and ambition, all within the exploration of what we makes us content, which adds true depth to the experience. This is a film that not only holds up but improves with every viewing. You won't find any more to see in the picture, but you will find infinitely more to think about in the story it tells. This is an exceptionally intelligent film, a masterpiece that hides behind its charm. Kung Fu Panda is, in the most literal sense possible, a hidden gem.

gunnardsamek This movie follows an eastern theme and visually, it's pretty neat. The cinematography was very nice, especially during the fight scenes. However this movie isn't without its flaws; the humor is hit or miss and the moral is a bit generic. I enjoyed this movie overall so I give it a fat 7/10.

YourFamilyExpert In short…it's awesome. Kung Fu Panda is the best CGI-animation movie since The Incredibles. Clever writing, gorgeous animation, fun action, and stellar vocal work by Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, and…(drumroll please)…Jackie Chan! The latter lends a feel of authenticity to this kung-fu themed flick, but you don't have to be a martial arts aficionado to enjoy the ride. Like The Incredibles, this works on multiple levels: kids movie, adult comedy, fantasy, and action movie. Jack Black is immensely likable and Dustin Hoffman charms. There's even some decent morality and philosophy going on. And it'll make you laugh. What more do you want? **** (out of five).

tomgillespie2002 I must have seen Kung Fu Panda, either in its entirety or snippets here and there, over 20 times since its release in 2008. While its relatively simple tale of an underdog who has been laughed at throughout his entire life learning to fulfil his unexplored potential is nothing new, it remains effortlessly entertaining and the kind of film you can catch halfway through and still enjoy what it has to offer. Although the title promises plenty of fat jokes, and there are certainly plenty, the film goes beyond simply appealing to kids with sight gags by working in Chinese mysticism, some wonderful voice acting, and stunning animation that would only get better and more ambitious as the series went on.Clumsy panda Po (Jack Black) lives in the Valley of Peace, a scenic ancient land in China overlooked by the Jade Palace, home to the legendary kung fu masters. While he dreams of joining the Furious Five - a gang of ass-kicking kung fu specialists consisting of Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross) - Po spends his days making (and eating) noodles with his father Mr. Ping (James Hong). When he spectacularly enters the Palace during the choosing of the 'Dragon Warrior', Po finds himself picked out by the wise old Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) as the one to stop to the evil Tai Lung (Ian McShane), an escaped snow leopard seeking revenge on Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and his Furious Five.Taking inspiration from the Chinese kung-fu movies of the 1970's as well as American geek culture, Kung Fu Panda works as both as a physical comedy and an action spectacular. Although the characters frequently defy the laws of physics and seem incapable of getting hurt, the action scenes are well choreographed and exciting, with McShane voicing his role with whisker-twirling relish. There are also hints at backstories and questions raised about Po's past (why on Earth is his father a goose?), and the film is wise enough to leave the answers to future instalments and trusting in its simple introductory tale of a misfit finally finding a home. While the majority of the Five don't really find a moment to shine individually, Hoffman lends a certain gravitas to his tragic backstory and relationship with the deadly Tai Lung. The pratfalls will entertain the kids and the gentler moments will no doubt charm the adults, something that Dreamworks generally fails to do with its animated efforts, so it's no doubt that the series remains the jewel in it's crown.