Back in the summer of 2008 when I first previewed this movie, I had an idea that it was going to be great. The casting of Jack Black as a fat, lazy, but lovable panda who was chosen to be some more-than-animal warrior that he obviously wasn’t, was brilliant! I hadn’t even seen the film and I knew that the casting would make the movie great.

Now, I am not a huge Jack Black fan. Like Steve Carell, I think he’s a really funny actor, as long as he surrounded by other funny actors. I know that I am in the minority when it comes to this opinion, but I just don’t like Jack Black-led films. School of Rock was pretty good, probably my favorite of his leading roles, Nacho Libre was just ok to me, but I also loved him in High Fidelity, which was a movie he co-starred in with genius John Cusack.

I am also not a fan of animated movies that don’t come from Pixar. My stance on this has been firm throughout the history of Truth On Cinema, and there are countless posts where I have shared about it. Sony, Dreamworks, Insert Studio Name Here, have all tried to match the success of Pixar’s movies, and all have fallen short. Madagascar, Antz, Bolt, Ice Age, all movies that I’m sure kids and parents alike enjoyed, but to me they are mediocre “plan B” movies that you watch because Pixar hasn’t released their newest one yet.

So, armed with my underwhelming view of Jack Black leading a film coupled with my angst against any animated film that doesn’t come from Pixar, my wife and I sat down on an icy day to watch Kung Fu Panda. The result: IT WAS GREAT!

I thoroughly loved this movie! It had everything, humor, drama, big named stars that didn’t try too hard to shove their diva persona’s in your face, and some of the most amazing graphics I have ever seen. There was detail in that movie that I don’t think I have seen in other 3D animated films. I loved the colors of the film, the bright hues, the brilliant tones, it was just a picture perfect pallet. Throughout the film, I was amazed at the finest detail of the hairs on the ducks, or the texture of Panda’s fur, and even the little things that weren’t in focus that were happening in the background, their detail was clear as day. Technically, I think this film is a marvel. I don’t know what happened to Dreamworks Animation Studio, did they all take some new classes, get some new software, or finally fire the guy that wants to load the movie down with stupid big name actors and replace him with 3 or 4 new animators and modelers. Whatever they did, it worked.

Jack Black as Po the panda was pure genius. It literally was Jack Black. He didn’t become some new character who was a panda who wanted to learn kung fu, it was Jack Black wanting to learn kung fu. Every movement, either in the face or his body, totally captured Black’s essence. I felt like I was watching Black who happened to be in a panda suit, not a panda who happened to be voiced by Black. His humor was spot on, nothing surprising, typical Black self-deprecation mixed with the overuse of “awesome.” But, and here’s the surprising part for me, he was able to pull off sincerity and show me a heartfelt panda. I cared about Po, I wanted him to succeed, I anxiously waited for his chance to shine…AND THIS WAS A CARTOON!

Another one of the coolest elements of the film was the villain Tai Lung, voiced masterfully by consummate bad guy Ian McShane. He was frightening. No, I am not kidding, he was scary. I am not sure how little kids survived in the theaters when he showed up. His ferociousness was felt through the animation. His roar, his growl, the way he moved, his movements really evoked fear. That brings me to another great point about the film, the action sequences. The kung fu fighting in this film was awesome. (that was for you Jack) I know what you’re thinking, “Dan, it was animated animals doing kung fu. Don’t you think you’re taking this a little too far?” You may be right, but I don’t care, I loved the fighting sequences. They were fast, intricate, and easy to follow. I really enjoyed the slow-motion-bullet-time effect they would sporadically use to emphasize a great hit. Again, more detail that was paid attention to by the filmmakers that most animated filmmakers skip over.

If you haven’t seen Kung Fu Panda yet, go to Netflix, Blockbuster, or the Red Box at your local grocery store, and pick it up. This movie did so well when it opened, that a sequel is already, and was already in talks before it ever opened, in the works with all of the cast returning.

Content Warning: Rated PG for sequences of martial arts action. It’s a good film for the family. Just teach your kids not to hit other kids over the head with sticks or spiked clubs.