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BY MAGGIE SCOTT

Kung Fu Panda represents a first in at least one area: the big screen’s first animated comedy martial arts movie. It has set the bar high and set the standard for all those sure to follow. That said, tongue-in-cheek, what else can be said about its story and characters?

Not much, in spite of its highly skilled technology, artistically zany animation, and the crazy-funny voice-over work of actor Jack Black as the panda hero, Po.

Like so many stories pitched to kids (ok, adults, too), this one is hawking the trite and true assertion that dreams can come true if you work hard and believe in yourself, no matter who is putting you down or wanting you to live up to their expectations.

Po wants more than to inherit his Dad’s noodle shop. He wants evildoers to know they are no match for his “foe-dacity” and to “go blind from exposure to his pure awesomeness.” In his dreams. After all, he’s pudgy, clumsy and borderline coward in reality. But, in Po’s fantasies, he’s the legendary Dragon Warrior. The one who can master the Thousand Tongues of Fire, defeat the Furious 5 in competition, learn the secret of the scroll, bring peace to the valley, attain wisdom from the sacred peach tree of heavenly knowledge and turn down that oh-so-tempting 10th dumpling.

So, although broth runs deep in his veins, Po parks the noodle cart and climbs the many stairs to the jade palace where he learns his destiny is to do battle with the invincible Tai Lung (voice of Ian McShane) who has escaped from his prison restraints and is seeking vengeance from his old teacher, Master Shifu (voice of Dustin Hoffman). The kung fu kid and the guru bond over challenging lessons for body and mind, including the crucial secret of the One-Finger Hold.

Is Po ready to act like the hero he’s always dreamed of being? Does he have humility? Is he special, just because he believes he’s special? Is he ready to use his belly as a lethal weapon? Although he’s been an accident waiting to happen practically his whole life, Po is ready to believe the words of a sage turtle: “There are no accidents.”

This is a boisterous blast from DreamWorks Animation, special in practically every way. Rated PG.
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