Everybody loves Kung Fu fighting!!!

Animated movies like Shrek Trilogy, Ice Age, Happy Feet, Madagascar etc. have made a huge impact on my mind because thay are not only easy to watch for an ardent movie-goer but they also carry a strong and simple message which many films fail to deliver. Dreamworks latest presentation "Kung Fu Panda" walk on the same path. This time the team not only delivers the strong message but is successful in respecting a tradition which has gain popularity all over the world through Jackie Chan films. To top it, its an animation film!!!! So the kung fu fights are picturised liberally with lots of colours and sequences which requires a huge amount of creative ideas.

Here the story goes - Po, the panda (Jack Black) is extremely passionate about Kung Fu!!!! He dreams and visualises him being the greatest of Kung Fu fighter!!!! But his dad who owns a noodle shop, visualises Po continuing with the same legacy. Po dreams otherwise!!!!

Meanwhile, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) are searching for the next Dragon Warrior who will fight with the evil Tai Lung (Ian McShane) and bring peace to the entire valley. The best contenders are the Furious Five - Monkey (Jackie Chan), Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross). But Po lands up accidentally in the center stage and Master Oogway bestows him the title. Master Shifu dislikes the decision and Po and the Furious Five hate him to the core. But the respect and admiration for the greatest Master Oogway comes in between persuading Master Shifu to take up the extremely difficult and challenging job of training Po in no time. Watch the film for the rest of the story as I don't want to be a spoil sport!!!!

The story of the film seems to be very familiar and one can relate the same to the recently released Jackie Chan-Jet Li flick 'The Forbidden Kingdom'. But the treatment is so-so different and that too its much better to watch this version of the story in an animation film. Technically, the film has stepped one level up considering the predecessor Dreamwork films like "Shrek" and "Madagascar". Everything about the art department, visual effects, animation etc. is just perfect. An extra point for the music and sound department which has been successful in creating the traditional Chinese music. The screen play is brilliant and so is the story, although a bit familiar.

The entire movie is a treat to watch because of its animation effects but its a double treat to listen to the excellent and perfectly apt voice of Jack Black for the Panda. Jack Black is known for his sense of humour and he gets a author backed script. Not only he is great in the hilarious scenes but also does well in the scenes which are requires him to emote in a different way. Listen to him when he enacts Master Shifu or when he irritates tigress or in the climax fight between him and Tai Lung.

A special word for the voice of Dustin Hoffman. He is excellent throughout as his voice had to emote exactly opposite of Po. Nobody could have done a better than him in the role of Master Shifu. The rest of the cast - Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Ian McShane and James Hong have done well in their respective oratory roles. But I guess, the best character after Po and Shifu in the film is Master Oogway performed by Randall Duk Kim. I liked the way he quoted "Your past is history, your future is mystery, but today is a gift - that's why it is called present".

Folks!!! You need to watch the film if you are in love with Animation films. Even if you are not, watch it for the sake of Kung Fu because "everybody loves Kung Fu Fighting............"

Rating - 5/5