Jack Black's panda eyes some food during training in Kung Fu Panda reviewed by one of our new Teen Critics (Dreamworks)

By Raymond Mai

I am actually not a big fan of animated movies having animals that speak and perform like humans. So I didn't expect much from Kung Fu Panda (opening June 6 throughout San Diego) but after 88 minutes, I was impressed. I walked out of the movie theater with my friends, Tony and Terry, recapping the many entertaining scenes from the film.

Po (voiced by Jack Black) is an obese panda that dreams of being a kung fu fighter, while his dad Mr. Ping (James Hong) is trying to entice Po with the wonderful world of noodles (the family business). Meanwhile, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) is warned of the escape of Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a likable snow leopard that beats on everyone. Master Shifu prepares his Furious 5 Warriors -- Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu), and Crane (David Cross) -- to battle Tai Lung. Unexpectedly, Po 'comes out of the sky' (literally, which is hard to believe), and is chosen to fight Tai Lung. Master Shifu makes a commitment and promise to train and believe in Po, and soon Po takes on the challenge to fight for peace in his valley.

What I admire about this flick is that it's a comedy that actually develops its likable characters without having you to nudge the person next to you with questions. I especially love the voiceover cast for this movie. Each person is well suited to their character. Take Jack Black who provides the voice of the curious and funny panda. Or Ian McShane's voice for the dark and wicked snow leopard.

If you have a kid and you take him to this movie, you get the added bonus that he or she may learn a good life lesson. Though the movie is very entertaining, there is nothing unique about the storyline. The storyline is there and simple, but it is a weak one even if it is a martial arts film. This movie is very entertaining and the funny jokes, mostly about being fat, did put a smile on my face. But the jokes are still cheap.

Kung Fu Panda (rated PG for sequences of martial arts action) is not as good as Over The Hedge, an animated film with talking animals that I did like. But this movie is still worth your money and you won't have to take bathroom breaks to kill some time. Overall, this is an enjoyable movie, but with an unsophisticated storyline.

Raymond Mai is a soon to be sophomore at Mount Miguel High School where he's on the football and baseball team. When he is not studying or playing a sport, he loves to have fun, whether it's watching movies or just kicking it behind the TV with his Nintendo Wii. He enjoys the opportunity to voice his opinions about movies.