Compare DVD Prices and get the Cheapest UK Price for
'Kung Fu Panda [2008]' starring Angelina Jolie and directed by John Stevenson. (StaEAN 5051189135835)

What's a panda to do when his dreams of kung-fu awesomeness awake to the cold reality of noodle-making? Clumsy, overweight Po (Jack Black) dreams of becoming a kung fu master like China's revered "furious five," but instead seems destined to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in the restaurant business. When great leader Oogway has a vision that the imprisoned kung fu warrior Tai Lung (Ian McShane) will soon escape, he declares it time to choose China's dragon warrior--one kung fu master deemed worthy of possessing the dragon's scroll and its secret to limitless power. Po and all the townspeople rush to the Jade Palace atop the highest mountain to witness the contest between Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross) and Viper (Lucy Liu), but Po is locked outside the palace. After a miracle of sorts, Po lands inside the palace gates, where he is chosen as the dragon warrior and placed under the tutelage of the decidedly non-plussed master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). An unconventional student to say the least, hilarity reigns as Shifu tries desperately to make Po into some semblance of a kung fu warrior. Can Po possibly fulfill his destiny as dragon warrior, or was Oogway's final decision a critical mistake? A film rich with hilarious moments, superior animation, and an important message about believing in oneself and the power that comes from within, Kung Fu Panda is great entertainment that will have the whole family laughing and begging for more. (Ages 3 and older) --Tami Horiuchi

This is actually a really great film! My dad took me to see it in the cinema, 'cos he thought it looked good. Even though I think Jack Black is fully amazing, and Jackie Chan is awesome, I didn't think I would enjoy it, since I'm not one for cartoons, even though I'm not that old. I could hardly stop laughing though! It's a great film, for kids and adults, and even the odd teenager, like me! I highly recomend it, if, like me, you love comedies! :)

Our story centers around Po the Panda (voiced by Jack Black). He is a Kung Fu legend. Evildoers fear him and the people adore him. The Fearsome Five long to fight with him. And everything...hold on, maybe that isn't the way it really is.

In reality, Po works in his father's noodle restaurant waiting tables. He's way overweight and out of shape. But he dreams about Kung Fu and idolizes the Fearsome Five, Monkey (Jackie Chan), Crane (David Cross), Tigress (Angelina Jolie) Viper (Lucy Liu), and Mantis (Seth Rogen). That's why, when it is announced that the legendary Dragon Warrior will soon be chosen, Po leaves everything behind and joins the rest of the village high up the mountain.

Through a series of events, Po winds up being named the Dragon Warrior, much to the dismay of the Fearsome Five and Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) who must train the rookie. Po doesn't think he can do it, but he doesn't want to quit. Shifu and the Five want to make him quit. But they'd better figure things out soon because an old foe is about to return to the village intent on destroying it. Can Po save the day?

Since I'm not a fan of Jack Black or Dreamworks Animation, I almost skip this flick. And that would have been a huge mistake. This is a fun movie for all ages.

So let's get the obvious and the only negative out of the way right now, shall we? We've seen this plot many, many times before. But the movie does a great job of making the familiar ride enjoyable.

Part of that is through the humor. There are lots of great one liners and slap stick scenes. It's not side splitting funny, but I laughed plenty of times. And some of the gags were completely unexpected. Yet the more serious and tender moments don't feel forced in the slightest. And the story is fast paced with an ending that made me smile.

The first few minutes are hand drawn animation, but the rest of the movie is computer animated. It looked amazing with plenty of beautiful settings and small details. They even managed to do a good job with the Kung Fu fight scenes. Heck, they were easier to follow than fight scenes in many of the live action movies made these days.

I always worry when I hear that a movie has a voice cast made up of famous people, but here they did a good job becoming the characters. I wasn't left picturing the actor recording the voice. Instead, I bought the characters and got lost in the story.

Okay, so this movie isn't highly original. It's still incredibly fun. And that's all that matters. I'm glad I gave the movie a chance.

Heard this was a great film, but kids and I were sadly disappointed. A few funny bits, but on the whole, it felt very very long and boring!

summary: ok I'm biased, I love animated movies, martial art movies, and comedy in general but this really got to me - your kids will love it too!

========================
Jack Black voices Po, a lazy, overweight Panda who idolises the Furious Five kung fu champions: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Monkey (Jackie Chan). However, when Po gatecrashes an initiation ceremony, he is accidentally chosen to be the mythical Dragon Warrior, who is destined to save his valley from the villainous leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane).

The Furious Five are mortified that Po has gatecrashed their ranks, but Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) tells them that there are no accidents and this is indeed Po's destiny. However, when word reaches the Five that Tai Lung has escaped from prison, Po has to get into shape fast, so he begins training under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman).

As many before have kindly reviewed the story, I will leave at that. What I can add is that our 3 years old loved every second of it! Haven't been able to stop her from trying kung fu kicks since!

Really good fun!