The grandest asset of “Kung Fu Panda” is its greatest pitfall. Jack Black dominates as the title character and he’s undeniably terrific but his presence is so overpowering that he suffocates the film.
When a comedian becomes iconic like Black, the humor begins to emanate from familiarity. The rhythm of his voice, the cadence of his delivery, and his bountiful physical exuberance can lead an audience to laugh in anticipation even before Black has delivered a punch line. In “High Fidelity” Black captivated with his manic energy and people became instant fans of the dynamo with the soulful pipes in one of the films of the 2000s. Since then Black’s tenacious persona has become a distinctly beloved comic presence. “The School of Rock” could have been a cringe-worthy exercise with a lead who brought less commitment and belief to the role of Dewey Finn. A recent Sesame Street appearance made a lesson about octagons a winsome moment. And as illustrated in DreamWorks’ “Kung Fu Panda,“ no one says “Awesome” with the same joyous verve.
So you can’t blame directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson for making a film which is essentially a Jack Black vehicle. But it’s a glaring example where moderation would have been a wiser option, and a less-is-more approach may have ensured a more complete and resonating work.
“Kung Fu Panda” opens on a vibrant, teeming Chinese city reminiscent of a scene from Richard Scarry’s “Busy, Busy World” but the film falters as the focus turns to Black‘s lovable yet hapless panda, Po. The film feels smaller and less robust than several recent animated wonders, especially the studio’s own “Flushed Away.” The other characters lack true distinction and are lumped into a not-Jack Black pack. They simply aren’t given the personality or pizzazz of Po. Secondary characters feel, well, secondary. Furthermore, the script wavers in quality and relies all-too-often on trite aphorisms.
The makers of “Kung Fu Panda” should have studied the efforts of those quality animated films and noticed they haven’t allowed a single vocal talent to dominate. You would have to be well coached to know that Craig T. Nelson was the voice of Mr. Incredible. And few would have recognized instantly that the lead actors in “Flushed Away” were Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslett. And just last year “Ratatouille” utilized Patton Oswalt’s talents but the tremendous stand-up’s distinct comic persona doesn’t begin to overwhelm. It simply melds into a larger, luxurious tale.
“Kung Fu Panda” is enjoyable and you’d have to be a surly curmudgeon to dismiss its charming moments. But making Black the whole focus creates an unbalanced film that is something short of “Awesome.“
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