This past weekend we gathered the clan in the family room and plugged in the new comedy from Dreamworks, Kung Fu Panda.  This film features the voice talents of a star-studded cast, Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, and Jackie Chan, to name a few.  In our family, we like to find a film every now and then that all of us will enjoy; animated movies usually fill the bill, and this was no exception.

The animation is very well done, and blended with the amazing voice talent and an engaging storyline, made the film entertaining from start to finish.  The tale follows the dreams of a young panda, Po, who has grown up working in his family’s noodle shop in the Valley of Peace, secretly idolizing the Furious Five – Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey — under the leadership of their Sensei, a Lemur named Master Shifu.  Po dreams of being a Kung Fu master, even as his father dreams of his one day growing up and assuming control of the noodle business.

There are no really new or innovative plot twists in this film.  It’s the story of a young man with dreams who gets the opportunity to fulfill them.  While there is a lot of buffoonery on the part of Po (Jack Black), there is also a very heart-warming message permeating the script.  There is no effort to make great changes in the protagonist, but instead an effort to help him understand and have faith in himself.  The issues of parental projection of values and dreams is addressed as is that age-old chestnut about judging a book (or a Panda) by its cover.

We thoroughly enjoyed the film, from parents down to five-year old Katie.  Finding time and experiences that the entire family can enjoy grows more difficult as the dispartity in ages increases, and the older children begin to branch out into lives of their own.  It’s important to find a way to bridge the gaps and share some smiles; moments like this are special.  Here’s to Po, the true Dragon Master.