Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po (Jack Black) is the biggest fan of kung fu around - although it doesn't often come in handy while working in his family's noodle shop.

But when he’s unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality and he joins the world of kung fu to study alongside his idols, the Furious Five – Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Monkey (Jackie Chan), under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman).

But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat.

Po puts his heart into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses are his greatest strengths.

The story is of a panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master. That’s right, a plump, huggable black and white bear who has just one aspiration in life – to become an expert in a martial art that relies on agility, mental prowess and lightning-fast reflexes. It’s a formidable, some would say foolhardy, quest. But isn’t that what heroism is all about?

When directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne, along with producer Melissa Cobb, were presented with this unlikely storyline they immediately responded. The obstacle-strewn journey of Po, the Kung Fu Panda, touched a chord in each of them.

Also joining the international cast are Randall Duk Kim as Oogway, the wise leader and inventor of kung fu; James Hong as Mr. Ping, Po’s father and noodle maker; Michael Clarke Duncan as Commander Vachir, the proud mastermind behind the seemingly inescapable Chorh-Gom Prison; and Dan Fogler as the nervous palace envoy, Zeng.

Director John Stevenson says, "We’re all parents, you know? I have two daughters and Mark and Melissa have kids. We wanted the film to have something that our kids could take away. ‘Be your own hero,’ which means don’t look outside of yourself for the answer.

Don’t expect someone else to make things right. You are empowered to achieve anything you want if you set your mind to it. Be the best that you can be."

Kung Fu Panda is rated PG and is screening at Birch Carroll & Coyle.

Share this article