Dreamworks "Kung Fu Panda" is a high concept animated feature film, that delivers exactly what the title and studio pedigree promises. As if it needs explaining, Panda Po (Jack Black) dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master like his heroes, the Furious Five. By accident, or possibly not, he chosen by kung fu master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) to be the next Dragon Warrior, much to the disbelief of the Furious Five and their guru, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). Particularly in light of the threat from renegade ex pupil Tai Lung (Ian McShane).

The plot, as you can see, is somewhat straight forward. Some quarters have noted that apart from the obvious visual humour and basic premise of a over weight Panda doing martial arts, that the film lacks the second tier of jokes aimed at the older viewer. They have been replaced to a degree by a cunning homage to the entire martial arts genre. From the obvious titles of recent years, such as "Hero" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to more subtler ones such as "Drunken Master". The visual style is also lampooned to great effect. The soundtrack is evocative rather than obtrusive and avoids the traditional Eastern stereo types. I personally think that this is by far the most aesthetically pleasing film from this genre, so far.

Like any film, there are a few points you can nit pick over. For example there is an excess of celebrity voice talent, but Lucy Lui, Seth Rogen and Jackie Chan (playing the Furious Five members Snake, Mantis and Monkey respectively) have very little to do. Also there is the whole issue of violence. Despite this being a jovial cartoon, the under lying plot is basic centred around combat. The PG certificate is a wise decision by the BBFC and I'm sure if this film had been released over a decade ago there would have been problems. However, most enlightened adults will make an informed choice and take everything in context and in the right spirit. Finally, the best joke of the film is the theme of Po's father being a duck (or possibly goose). When the subject is finally broached, the answer is amusingly handled. "Kung Fu Panda" is my favourite of the summer releases so far.

XoD.