Jack Black has done supporting voice work in a couple of animated films, Shark Tale and Ice Age. With Kung Fu Panda, Black has his first starring voice role. Other than Dustin Hoffman, as his teacher Shifu, the rest of the cast’s script were probably no more than one page long. Your lucky to hear Jackie Chan more than twice. This leaves Black to carry the film. He does a decent job, but why pay such big names for roles they may have phoned in.
Po is a Panda working in his, duck, father’s noodle restaurant. True to almost every animated film, minus The Incredibles, Po seems to be the son of a single parent. No mother is ever mentioned. Po dreams of being a kung fu master while his father expects him to take over the family business. His father explains that they are "noodle folk," and "broth runs deep in our veins." The local Kung Fu school contains the legendary Kung Fu master’s, the Furious Five. They are an array of martial artists which Po idolizes. Upon hearing that an enemy, Tai Lung, is heading their way to seek revenge, a tournament is held to discover the one kung fu master that can defeat him. The rest of the film can be seen from a mile away.
Black and Hoffman provide all of the films laughs. Po is an overweight, lazy compulsive eater while Shifu is a strict instructor who cannot believe Po is a hero. Po at one point tells Shifu to be more direct in his explanations instead of trying to be all, "...kung fuey and mystical." The best moments are when they share the screen together. My favorite part is when Shifu uses food to train Po. One of their last conversations in the film brought the loudest laugh from the audience.
Kung Fu Panda has some nice animation. The best animated sequence is when Tai Lung escapes from an underground prison. The plot is predictable, but the pacing is quick enough that it keeps you watching, even when you know exactly what is about to happen.
