Kung Fu Panda (2008)

To his adolescent fan minions, Jack Black is an idol; to me, he's a pudgy, juvenile sinkhole where humor goes to die. However, the awesome animated movie Kung Fu Panda belongs heart and soul to Jack Black; as Po, the schlubby panda Dragon Master trainee, Jack Black rocks! (You've never heard a guy wheeze so fervently and in so many ways -- nor seen his animated twin do so.) In the end, Po's infectious disingenuousness wins the day despite more disciplined compatriots and a far more powerful enemy. (He finds another way to be true to his gifts and to slack his way to victory.) The voice talent by Dustin Hoffman as his severely tried kung fu master is particularly excellent but everyone else is good too. The animation is highly impressive in reflecting Chinese culture, martial art skills, and cinematic choreography. Kung Fu Panda is full of heart and has several creative plot twists. I laughed heartily a number of times and the many kids in the theater clearly enjoyed themselves too. As the closing credits rolled, my 10-year-old insisted that we buy the disc. Be sure to stay to the last moment for a closing epilog scene. 5 stars.