Kung Fu Panda

Koalas, tigers and panda bears, oh my! That's about the only novelty to be found in this pretty, innocuous, animated flick that's got some fine chop-socky and A-list voice work, but a story that might as well have come from the toy-marketing department.

Review in a Hurry: Koalas, tigers and panda bears, oh my! That's about the only novelty to be found in this pretty, innocuous, animated flick that's got some fine chop-socky but a story that might as well have come from the toy-marketing department.

The Bigger Picture: Kung Fu Panda: because audiences are finally getting tired of penguins. Jack Black runs his mouth admirably as the titular panda, a rotund noodle-stand worker who gets to live his kung fu fantasy when he's selected as the Dragon Warrior, a creature of prophecy destined to defend his village. Which is populated entirely by anthropomorphized animals, because otherwise the movie wouldn't be enough to hold your attention.

And that appears to be the only reason. Kung Fu Panda flunks what we'll call the Pixar Test in part because there's no organic reason for its setting or characters. Replace the cute widdle animals with people and you'd have a generic undiscovered-hero story with a dull script. (Also, it would have to be called Kung Fu Fat Kid, which probably wouldn't test very well.)

At least it's easy on the eyes and ears. The animation is top-notch, the blockbuster cast (Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Ian McShane) and the fight sequences are inventively staged, and since there are fight sequences you won't spend a whole lot of time musing on the flaws. Which is good.

Harmless entertainment though it might be, this movie's kung fu is not strong.

The 180—a Second Opinion: At least Dustin Hoffman's performance as an irascible Yoda-type might be enough to keep you amused while your kids absorb massive doses of destructive chi.