THT Talkies: Kick the funny bone

Kung Fu Panda

Genre: Animation

Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Ian McShane, David Cross and Seth Rogen

Directors: Mark Osborne and John Stevenson

Genre: comedy and martial art

Showing at Kumari

Kathmandu

It’s fast, it’s funny, it’s sleek and above all it’s total entertainment. Just the way Angelina Jolie said in her recent interview, “It’s not just animation, its kung fu.”

The movie is a total time pass for both children and adults who want to have fun and laugh out loud. Though the story line is about the same old misfit character who is a big kung fu fan and dreams day and night to become a warrior. Somehow destiny has big plans for him which unfolds giving him not only the opportunity to prove his mettle but also teaches the great wisdoms of life. But like it is said — winners don’t do different thing, they do things differently — and the crew of Kung Fu Panda has done exactly that. They have infused the magic of screenplay, wonderful story telling, fabulous animation, well designed characters and apt to the situation and not over the top witty lines making the movie worth watching.

The story is about the cute and good hearted Panda Po (Black Jack), who dreams of being a kung fu fighter just like his all time favourite heroes Furious Five — Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Monkey (Jackie Chan) and Crane (David Cross). These fighters live together in the Jade Palace where they are trained by Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). The palace is on top of a tall peak overlooking the Valley of Peace where Po works in his father’s noodle shop. One day ancient Master Oogway has a vision that their old enemy Tai Lung comes back for revenge breaking out from a high security prison he is imprisoned in. Then to fight the enemy search for the ultimate Dragon Warrior begins. The Dragon Warrior is supposed to get the sacred Dragon Scroll which will give him wisdom and power to win any enemy. No prize for guessing here, instead of the choosing the one from the Furious Five, Oogway chooses clumsy and fat Po as the ultimate Dragon Warrior.

The concept is same old any other Kung Fu movie whose reruns we watch time and again on the cable channels, but what makes Kung Fu Panda different is — first of all it’s animated, and all age movie buffs will love it for the way fight sequences are handled (best action sequences of the season), and finally it gives lessons and wise lectures (which are not boring).

Jack Black as always is hilarious and has not let the character get over shadowed with his stardom. Jolie, Liu and Chang do not have much to do but add glam to the star cast. If only they had got more mileage in the story, it would have been even more interesting. The best aspect of the movie of course is the animation from the lush backgrounds, glorious colours to eye catching details.

The movie teaches that if you have a dream and if you believe in yourself, nothing is impossible. It’s a must watch for children and all for its awesome characters and attractive presentation.

And remember what Po says, “There is no charge for awesomeness and attractiveness.”