--- title: "Kung Fu Panda" year: 2008 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda" fi1m_id: "kung-fu-panda" imdb_id: "tt0441773" tmdb_id: 9502 wikidata_id: "Q129193" fi1m_score: 77 critics_score: 66 critics_reviews: 15 published: "2026-10-05T05:26:16.316912+00:00" updated: "2026-10-05T05:26:16.555404+00:00" region: "MY" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Kung Fu Panda (2008) Directed by Mark Osborne, John Stevenson · 1h 30m · Action, Animation, Comedy, Family ## Identity Kung Fu Panda - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** kung-fu-panda - **IMDb ID:** tt0441773 - **TMDB ID:** 9502 - **Wikidata ID:** Q129193 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441773/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/9502, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q129193 **Fi1m score: 77** · Critics 66 from 15 reviews *In a sentence:* The panda is good company, but the chopsticks get the finest scene > *Kung Fu Panda* is a good-humoured martial-arts comedy whose fights are sharper than its story. Jack Black makes Po worth rooting for, although the supporting characters deserve more than the screenplay gives them. ## Synopsis Po (Jack Black) is the panda at the centre of an animated kung fu adventure built around an underdog’s progress. Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Tigress (Angelina Jolie) and Tai Lung (Ian McShane) are among the characters in his story, which combines martial-arts combat with physical comedy. Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross) also feature. The action uses slow motion and freeze frames as the fights unfold, putting a comic panda into the familiar role of an unlikely hero. ## Review Mark Osborne and John Stevenson make a sensible choice with *Kung Fu Panda*: they take the kung fu seriously enough for the comedy to work. This is an enjoyable family adventure, carried by its fights and Jack Black’s appealing voice performance as Po. The story is familiar, and Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger’s screenplay does little to disguise how few surprises it has. We would happily spend an evening with this panda, even when the writing leaves him short of anything interesting to say. Jack Black gives Po enough eagerness to make the underdog story worth following. His silliness is endearing, and the voice performance leaves space for the animation to do much of the comic work. That matters in a film whose central joke could have worn out quickly. He makes Po enjoyable company through stretches where the screenplay is merely getting on with the expected business, and the affection survives some fairly broad comedy. The chopstick battle between Po and Shifu is the clearest example of what the film gets right. We laughed because the timing makes such small movements feel so important. Dustin Hoffman and Jack Black have a scene that builds its comedy out of the fight itself, without interrupting it to explain the joke. Across the action, C.K. Horness’s editing handles changes of pace deftly, giving us time to appreciate the physical business before moving on. Yong Duk Jhun’s cinematography makes the movement readable, including when the film pauses it for a freeze frame. Raymond Zibach’s production design gives those fights a colourful, detailed setting that remains worth looking at between the blows. The scenery helps the film feel larger than its elementary story. John Powell and Hans Zimmer’s music keeps the action lively, although its eagerness occasionally feels unnecessary when the movement is already doing the work. The supporting characters are the main disappointment. Angelina Jolie’s Tigress and Seth Rogen’s Mantis belong to a cast that sounds more promising than the writing proves to be. The screenplay gives us too little reason to become as interested in them as in Po, and famous voices cannot supply what has not been written. Some of the dialogue consequently feels like time spent waiting for another fight, rather than a chance to get to know the company. As a martial-arts comedy, though, this has a welcome respect for the thing it is borrowing. The fights have enough wit and energy to entertain someone who came for the action, while slow motion and freeze frames help make the movement funny. The filmmakers understand that a comic fight still needs to work as a fight. For a family animation with such a ready-made joke in its title, that degree of care is worth appreciating. At 90 minutes, it asks for a reasonable amount of patience when the writing becomes predictable. There is enough invention in the action to repay it, though anyone hoping for equally rich work across the whole cast should lower their expectations. Choose it for an evening when a well-timed scrap matters more than being surprised by the story. *Fi1m score 77, published 5 October 2026.* ## What the critics say The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with praise concentrated on the animation and martial-arts sequences rather than the story. Most critics find the fights lively and inventive, and even less enthusiastic assessments admire the detailed scenery and colourful imagery. Jack Black’s performance as Po also draws praise for making the familiar underdog appealing. For the warmer reviews, the humour and energetic action make this an enjoyable family adventure despite its predictable plot. Reservations centre on thin characters, broad comedy and a script that follows familiar formulas. The spread is fairly wide, though mixed assessments outnumber enthusiastic ones. Variety offers the clearest dissent, finding little comic inspiration or character depth to match the sophisticated visuals. The Skinny takes the opposing view, praising the script as well as the animation for making the characters engaging; elsewhere, even several admirers concede that the storytelling is flimsy. ## Straight answers **Is Kung Fu Panda worth watching?** *Kung Fu Panda* is worth watching for its witty fights and Jack Black’s appealing Po, and we score it 77 out of 100. We recommend it for a family evening when physical comedy matters more than an unpredictable story, though the supporting characters get too little attention. **How long is Kung Fu Panda, and what is it rated?** *Kung Fu Panda* runs 1h 30m. It is an action and animation film. **Where can I watch Kung Fu Panda in Malaysia?** *Kung Fu Panda* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Malaysia, and it is also available to rent from Apple TV from RM 9.90. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How does Kung Fu Panda compare to Ernest & Celestine?** *Kung Fu Panda* is the choice for lively martial-arts comedy, while we recommend [*Ernest & Celestine*](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine) for warmer, more individual attention to its animal characters. Po is good company, but his companions are thinly written; the slight, funny story of a mouse and a bear offers more of the character work we miss here. **What should I watch after Kung Fu Panda?** After *Kung Fu Panda*, try [*Ernest & Celestine*](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine) (2012, Fi1m 84): For animal characters given the warmth and individual attention Po’s companions lack. Then [*The Iron Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant) (1999, Fi1m 88): For family animation that gives its unlikely hero more emotional weight; and [*Chicken Run*](https://film.one/film/chicken-run) (2000, Fi1m 84): For an underdog adventure whose supporting characters all earn their place. ### Reviews we read (15) - **Empire**, Chris Hewitt (80/100, inferred): Hewitt considers it DreamWorks Animation’s finest effort since the first Shrek, despite a rudimentary plot and merely decent gags. He especially praises the astonishing visuals and exhilarating kung fu sequences. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kung-fu-panda-review/) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Kirk Honeycutt (80/100, inferred): Honeycutt finds the film funny, frantic, and broadly appealing. He especially praises its vivid animation and the lively martial-arts action. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/kung-fu-panda-review-93156/) - **RogerEbert.com** (65/100, inferred): The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be verified. No specific praise or complaint is available from the page text. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/kung-fu-panda-2008) - **The Guardian**, Mark Kermode (65/100, inferred): Kermode finds the film affable, slick family entertainment, though its script is baggy and it lacks the staying power of the Shrek series. He praises its unexpectedly plentiful, innocuous laughs. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/nov/16/narnia-kug-fu-panda-review) - **Screen Daily**, Allan Hunter (64/100, inferred): The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It also does not show what the critic singled out for praise or complaint. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/kung-fu-panda/4038856.article) - **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager (2.5/4): Schager finds the film watchably innocuous but narratively meager and overly reliant on familiar formulas. He praises the lively, well-animated action, especially the chopstick battle between Po and Shifu. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/kung-fu-panda/) - **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (3/5): Jones gives the animated adventure a positive assessment, highlighting its visually arresting animation. He also praises how the filmmakers use slow motion and freeze frames to enliven familiar martial-arts action conventions. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-zakqu1/kung-fu-panda/) - **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (3/5): The review gives the film a qualified verdict, suggesting its premise feels committee-designed. It singles out the plot’s extrapolation from the title as a complaint. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/kung-fu-panda) - **Evening Standard** (55/100, inferred): The critic finds the film entertaining but dramatically thin, with a story that gives way to predictable fights. They praise the beautifully animated, humorous kung fu battles and the film’s vivid imagery. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/kung-fu-panda-defies-expectations-7407788.html) - **Variety**, Todd McCarthy (35/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film heavily formulaic and only mildly effective overall. He praises its sophisticated, detailed visuals, while faulting the script’s elementary characters and lack of comic inspiration. [Read](https://variety.com/2008/film/awards/kung-fu-panda-4-1200522438/) - **Den of Geek**, Ron Hogan (4/5): Hogan finds the film a brisk, refreshing, and respectful animated take on kung fu, despite its flimsy and predictable plot. He praises the fluid fight scenes, striking scenery, and expressive voice performances. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/kung-fu-panda-review/) - **Eye for Film**, Tony Sullivan (80/100, inferred): Sullivan calls it a thoroughly enjoyable, funny family adventure. He praises Jack Black’s performance as Po and the film’s good-humoured take on its familiar underdog story. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/kung-fu-panda-film-review-by-tony-sullivan) - **The Skinny**, Kevin McHugh (★★★★): McHugh calls it a terrifically fun film that entertains both adults and children. He praises the script and animation, which help make the characters appealing and the world convincing. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/dvd-reviews/kung-fu-panda) - **Paste**, Josh Jackson (70/100, inferred): Jackson finds the film enjoyable, especially as a family-friendly Jack Black kung fu movie. He singles out the animated fight scenes and the silly, endearing panda for appeal. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/jack-black/kung-fu-panda) - **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (60/100, inferred): The review finds the film enjoyable but too familiar and underdeveloped to match Pixar’s best. It praises the colourful scenery and punchy action, while criticising the thin supporting characters and broad comedy. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a105713/kung-fu-panda/) ## Details - **Director:** Mark Osborne, John Stevenson - **Director:** Mark Osborne, John Stevenson - **Screenplay:** Glenn Berger, Jonathan Aibel - **Story:** Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris - **Cinematography:** Yong Duk Jhun - **Editor:** C.K. Horness - **Music:** Hans Zimmer, John Powell - **Production design:** Raymond Zibach - **Producer:** Melissa Cobb - **Cast:** Jack Black as Po (voice); Dustin Hoffman as Shifu (voice); Angelina Jolie as Tigress (voice); Ian McShane as Tai Lung (voice); Seth Rogen as Mantis (voice); Lucy Liu as Viper (voice); David Cross as Crane (voice); Randall Duk Kim as Oogway (voice) - **Runtime:** 1h 30m - **First release (France):** 15 May 2008 - **Genres:** Action, Animation, Comedy, Family - **Budget:** $130 million - **Box office:** $632 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRc-ze7Wrxw ## Where to watch in Malaysia - Amazon Prime Video: streaming - Apple TV: rent RM 9.90, hd - Apple TV: buy RM 34.90, sd *Checked 2026-10-05.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## Awards - Academy Awards 2009: Best Animated Feature (nominated) - Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2009: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (nominated) - Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2008: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (won) - Critics' Choice Awards 2008: Best Animated Feature (nominated) ## If you liked this - *Drunken Master* (1978): For martial-arts comedy that makes bodily effort part of the joke. - *Shaolin Soccer* (2001): For another cheerfully unlikely collision of athletic skill and physical comedy. - *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: For animal characters given the warmth and individual attention Po’s companions lack. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md) - *The Iron Giant* (1999), Fi1m 88: For family animation that gives its unlikely hero more emotional weight. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md) - *Chicken Run* (2000), Fi1m 84: For an underdog adventure whose supporting characters all earn their place. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda