 |
|
 |
DreamWorks
Animation has a formula for their movies. Take an
all-star cast of actors, combine them with a hip
storyline and cheap jokes, mix in some pop songs, and
presto, you have a DreamWorks animated movie. "Kung Fu
Panda" could've easily taken that formula, but it
doesn't.
"Kung Fu Panda" is now on DVD and Blu-ray disc.
This is a review of the Blu-ray.
I had read about the early buzz on this film before it
came out. I was skeptical, because to me, most
DreamWorks movie from their animation department come to
me cold and predictable. The story of a panda who's the
Chosen One could've easily stumbled and fallen into
clichéd territory. Thankfully, it takes its own path
and surprises you with its sincerity.
The animation is truly remarkable, especially in the
opening sequence. This was traditionally drawn in 2-D.
Honestly, I could've watched the entire film this way
because it is so well done. The colors are striking and
bright, and Po (Jack Black) moves with grace through the
scenery. Once the animation turns to the more
three-dimensional world, the animation is still
excellent. I guess I yearn for that old-fashioned look.
"Panda" does rely on heavy star talent for the voicing.
There is no mistaking Jack Black's voice, or Dustin
Hoffman's voice, for anyone else. Their star power
doesn't detract from a DreamWorks Animation film. Each
actor imbues their character with believability and
charm. We've seen the master and student story dozens of
times, yet their relationship is done with class.
One of the more underrated performances comes from actor
James Hong (Mr. Ping). The story of a father asking his
son to take over the family business is an old one. But
Hong's charming voice and his character's animation
makes it fresh. This story element feels familiar if
you've seen Disney's "Mulan" (1998), but I found myself
caught up in Ping's love and devotion to his goofy son,
Po.
As much as it's probably bad to say, the animation,
style and execution of "Panda" reminds me of some old
school Disney animation. Though the movie, at least in
my mind, isn't of the caliber of the animation and
storytelling technique of Disney's "Nine Old Men," it is
quite good. Out of all the computerized animated titles
to come from DreamWorks, this one is the most painterly
and natural looking.
I was struck with the way that some of the characters
use expression to emphasize emotion. One of the keys in
good animation is using the eyes to express thought,
feeling, and emotion. A character, just like a human
being in a live-action film, can say so much or so
little just with an expression of the eyes.
Po's funny walk and the way he moves his lips is funny
and endearing at the same time. He's every bit Jack
Black, and that's a plus in this movie. Hoffman does an
admirable job in Shifu, showing patience and
bewilderment with his student.
I saw the film theatrically with my daughter. Unlike
some of the other DreamWorks movies that feature crass
jokes and wall-to-wall pop music, it seems that the team
on this film relied on story. It was refreshing to
experience a movie with my child that I didn't have parental uneasiness going through my mind. "Was that
appropriate for a ten year-old?" I'm no prude and enjoy
crass humor if it's done well. But many of animated film
from this studio seem to go for the low brow joke too
many times. Not "Kung Fu Panda."
The Blu-ray picture is naturally stunning. Computer
animation with it's sharpness and depth-of-field easily
lends itself to this high definition format. The colors
pop from the screen. The Dolby TrueHD soundtrack is
commendable with good depth and clarity.
"Kung Fu Panda" isn't quite an animated classic. I won't
go that far. I will say that it's a very well made and
enjoyable film that's quickly paced with wonderful
animation and storytelling. Kudos to the team on this
film for challenging DreamWorks convention to make an
entertaining movie.
Bill Kallay
Special thanks to Click Communications
Photos: © DreamWorks/Paramount. All rights reserved.
| Blu-ray Quick Glimpse | |
|
|
 |
