"A" Rating by Robert W. Hammerle

When I saw DreamWorks' "Kung Fu Panda" with my two grandchildren last weekend, much of the audience erupted in spontaneous applause at its conclusion. Quite frankly, this film richly deserved it. It is a fantastic treat for children of all ages.

With apologies to Seth Rogen (who coincidentally voices one of the characters in "Panda"), no one plays a better slacker that Jack Black. Even in average films like "Nacho Libre" (2006) and "Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny" (2006), he still had moments that a movie fan could treasure. For example, think of the scene when a young boy inadvertently caught him trying on his super hero-wrestling outfit in "Nacho":

"Chancho, when you get older you will learn that when a man is alone in his room he sometimes likes to try on stretchy pants!"

However, at his best Mr. Black's portrayal of an exuberant man-child reaches a level unattainable by any other actor working today. From "High Fidelity" (2000) to "School of Rock" (2003), his characters accept their rather obvious limitations with eternal optimism. He is the ant who always thinks he can move that rubber tree plant.

Here he is Po, the overweight panda who dreams of being a Kung Fu master. Working at a small restaurant that makes nothing but noodles, he never questions the fact that his father, the owner, is in fact a duck! Only Jack Black could make such a ludicrous relationship so inherently sweet.

Selected to be the next master Kung Fu champion through a series of ludicrous, hysterical accidents, he joins a group of heroes voiced by the aforementioned Mr. Rogen, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu and Dustin Hoffman. He is a match in every respect for their formidable skills save one, namely his total lack of any himself!

Besides the incomparable Mr. Black, two other things make this movie the truly fine experience that it is. To have a good drama, whether animated or not, you have to have a credible villain. Fortunately, we have one here in the genuinely scary tiger Tai Lung, voiced by the wonderfully malevolent Ian McShane. Many of you will remember Mr. McShane from his sensational performance as the anti-hero Al Swearengen of the late "Deadwood" series on HBO. McShane's Swearengen without question was one of the most unique characters to have appeared in a TV series.

The second factor contributing to the success of "Panda" was the mentor/student relationship between Shifu, voiced by Dustin Hoffman, and Po. At first disgusted with Po, Shifu comes to see that it is Po's dedication, commitment, decency and simple earnestness that make him the one person who can defeat the terrifying Tai Lung.

Both of my grandchildren, ages nine and six, had a rollicking good time in this surprisingly touching animated film, as did all of the other kids in the audience. This movie is funny, understated, poignant and at times scary, and it is simply magnificent entertainment. And after all, isn't that that what movies are all about?