Kung Fu Panda MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 Content: +2

Voices: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Ian McShane, David Cross, Seth Rogen, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Hong, Randall Duk Kim, Dan Fogler. Directed by John Stevenson Mark Osborne.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around...which doesn't exactly come in handy while working every day in his family's noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five -- Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey -- under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it's up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart - and his girth - into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Its a blessingand a curse. Thats Mr. Monks assessment of his detecting abilities. Its kinda the same for a film critic. Every time reviewers attend a sci-fi film, we are looking for The Day the Earth Stood Still, or His Girl Friday for a comedy of the sexes. And when it comes to animated comedies meant to amuse the entire family, were hoping for a Toy Story or a Chicken Run, or an Incredibles, or Little Nemo, or at least A Bugs Life. So when we see an effort such as Kung Fu Panda, we are let down despite the positives.

This newest animated adventure has lots of color, lots of movement and plenty of child-baiting slapstick, but its a piffle, not much to it. There are some laughs, Jack Blacks slant on life still amuses the masses. Its mostly suitable for all ages, but there is quite a bit of violent imagery, from slapstick buffoonery to martial arts battling against an unstoppable foe. It may entertain indiscriminating kids, and the message the magic is in you seems innocuous enough, but I was hoping for great, only to get ho-hum.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: DreamWorks Animation S.K.G.