Date: June 16, 2008
Location: Muvico Boynton Beach
First, I must say (on behalf of my wife) that Fiona is a terror. While she’ll now sit quietly and enjoy a DVD at home, she has yet to make any experience in the theater anything less than a living hell. And Alex inevitably winds up dealing with her and missing half the movie. In this case, I took over for the last 20 minutes but managed to see the climax from the corner of the theater. It’s a good thing she’s cute, or we might have left her behind one of the WALL-E displays and high-tailed out of there.
OK, on to the movie. As the tagline says, prepare for awesomeness. This film is indeed awesome, the best non-Pixar animated movie I’ve seen since pretty much ever. It’s gorgeous to look at, hilarious, sweet and exciting. And it has introduced the phrase “Skidoosh” to my lexicon. What more can you ask?
Cut from the same cloth as The Matrix and Kung-Fu Hustle (and probably countless martial-arts films before those), Panda follows the unlikeliest of heroes (Jack Black’s overweight panda, Po) on a quest to prove he is the Dragon Warrior, a martial arts master who is the village’s only hope against fierce leopard (and escaped convict) Tai Lung.
Tai Lung’s escape is one of the film’s many spectacular set pieces. Trapped in a dungeon, guarded by 1,000 men (well, rhinos), immobilized in a full-body suit or armor… well, I won’t say any more than that. That scene, as well as the film’s several extended fight sequences, are every bit as magical and awe-inspiring as anything in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
Insecure, earnest and clumsy, Po should be no match for Tai Lung, nor for the five masters he’s worshipped form afar (a tiger, praying mantis, monkey, crane and snake — all voiced ably by a collection of stars big and small). And of course that’s what makes him the perfect underdog hero in the most surprising film I’ve seen in some time.
The only question now is whether this tops Iron Man. For now I’m keeping it in the second slot, in part because of Fiona’s late interference. But upon repeat viewings (and I guarantee there will be repeat viewings) I could see it making the jump.
Meet Me In Montauk 
Fiona, Fiona, Fiona… you must learn the Clifton ways. Films are to be viewed and respected. Must the movie have a surfing penguin to keep you somewhat amused? This is a Kung Fu Panda, for crying out loud. What could be more exciting?
As for the film, we all enjoyed it very much. I was particularly surprised and impressed by Jack Black’s subtle performance. I expected a much more edgy, snarky panda, and I was happy to see him find the gentle soul of the character. Reminded me of Jim Carrey’s work in Truman Show. (How odd does that sound? :-)) I also agree that the break-out scene was the highlight of the film. Absolutely spectacular. There was lots of humor, though not quite as much as I expected. My favorite funny moment (and Maddie’s too) — “I’m a real fan,” after Tigress closes the door in Po’s face.
We had been doing Kung Fu Panda mad-libs on the road trip, so the kids already knew the names of every one of the characters. I still don’t. Daniel proceeded to lovingly read every mad-lib possibility after viewing the film, so clearly it made a huge impression on him. I can’t imagine it overtaking Iron Man, but we saw it at 9:00 after a long day of driving through snowy mountains, so it probably deserves a second viewing from me, as well. And with Daniel’s adoration, I have no doubt it will get one before the month is out 🙂