Feb 12 2008'Kung Fu Panda' Trailer is Big, Clumsy
Like pretty much all of Dreamworks Animation's efforts, Kung Fu Panda must have began with the great idea of getting big name voice cast to take on the roles of goofy animated animals. They succeeded in this noble effort, getting Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, and Angelina Jolie to star, but it seems like that's all there is to it.
Outside of hearing stars' disembodied voices, the film relies entirely on the premise that it's hilarious how fat and clumsy this schlub is. It might be moderately funny the first time, but how many times can you watch a cartoon panda fall over and laugh? I hope your answer is at least seven times, twice in slow motion, because that's pretty much all the content you're going to find here.
I watched this thing several times, and I've determined it's impossible not to roll your eyes when "Kung Fu Fighting" starts playing. And remember the end of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (and Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze), when Master Splinter finally breaks his solemn facade to give the audience a long-awaited "cowabunga"? Well, I don't want to ruin anything, but get ready to laugh--again!
Reader Comments
1. Meg - February 12, 2008 5:34 PM
The only thing that trailer did for me was get me more excited for Wall-E.
2. Christian - February 12, 2008 5:53 PM
Oh come on. This thing was never supposed to win an Oscar. It's humorous and fun, which was the point entirely. Not enjoying this because it lacks stupendous amounts of depth is like despising Cloverfield because the story arch wasn't as traditional as you had hoped. Enjoy it for what it is... a fun movie.
3. Herner_Wartzog - February 12, 2008 6:09 PM
Thats just it though , it looks the antithesis of fun. Unless you are the type of person who finds the Wayans fun or the films of Michael Bay ...
4. Mella - February 12, 2008 6:45 PM
"It might be moderately funny the first time, but how many times can you watch a cartoon panda fall over and laugh? I hope your answer is at least seven times"
Which is precisely why I maintain that Chris Farley was never, ever funny. In fact, this is just like Beverly Hills Ninja with all the repetetive physical "humor", only with a different fat guy since the first fat guy died.
5. that guy - February 12, 2008 8:09 PM
mella are your seriously using that movie as an example for him? Check out his others works. He was funny, judging an actor by all movie would mean they all suck. Every actor I can think of has one of those times. It was not even all that bad of a movie, for it's time it was mildly amusing since you did not see those jokes 24/7.
6. tylerdurden - February 13, 2008 3:46 PM
I fucking hate Jack Black.
How the fuck can he ruin an animated movie? Goddamn it.
Going for Wall-E for the Oscar next year.
7. menotrouble - February 14, 2008 5:24 PM
not funny. too bad.
8. gnat - February 14, 2008 9:31 PM
i couldnt even watch the whole i felt so embarrassed for the makers of this movie.
9. Eli - February 15, 2008 11:32 AM
I bet some copywriter somewhere has been waiting to use the phrase "PANDAMONEUM" for years.
10. Simon - February 16, 2008 8:26 AM
Sorry to interupt all your highbrow dismissal and collective intellectual over-analysis of this film, but I think there's something you all should know.
It's. A. Kids. Movie.
Not. Citizen. Kane.