MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

Kung Fu Panda Rated PG

Directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne. Animated Feature.

Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

Every year or so (and just about any time a Pixar film comes out) there is an animated film that purely exists in the world of its story, with no celebrity-impersonating characters, “hip” in jokes or pop culture references. While Kung Fu Panda doesn’t quite get off scot-free (it is an homage to martial arts films of the 70s), it comes close to pure entertainment. This fast-moving film tell the tale of Po (voiced by Jack Black), a panda who helps his father run the family noodle business, until he is chosen to become a master of kung fu. His teacher is a red panda names Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and his education will include learning quickness of response as well as inner peace. But Po is not alone; he joins a group of peaceful warriors known as “the furious five” (which includes a tigress, crane, viper, monkey, and praying mantis) to protect their village from Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a mean-spirited white leopard (who reminded me a bit of Shere Khan, the evil tiger from 1967’s The Jungle Book). The action sequences are unusually clever and well-crafted, with wonderful movement rather than the generic frenetic “action” of so many films these days. Po is a lovable bundle of fur and Dustin Hoffman’s voice talents help to make Master Shifu one of the most multi-dimensional cartoon characters ever. The positive messages of peace, self-awareness, and community-building don’t hurt, either. Don’t let the obnoxious trailers for this movie turn you off. This is a really good film, suitable for everyone except young pre-school children, who may fidget during some of the philosophical moments.

Pitchfork Rating: Four halos. (An entertaining family film that celebrates self-awareness as well as the joy of animation.)   One pitchfork. (For a couple of kicks-to-the-Panda’s-groin.)

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