Kung Fu Panda's kicking success

05-07-2008 08:15

'Kung Fu Panda' looks set to take Europe by storm this summer having already topped the US box office with its high-kicking attitude and dazzling graphics.The movie tells the tale of Po the Panda - voiced by Jack Black - an overweight waiter working in his father's noodle restaurant. Po is a Kung Fu fanatic but his bulky frame limits his ability to perform the intricate moves.Black seems to be the perfect choice for the role - having already nailed performances as a shark and a sabre-toothed tiger in previous animated hits 'Shark Tale' and 'Ice Age' - and the movie part was written with him in mind. "Po reminds me of myself as a kid - an innocent, chubby dreamer," admits Black. Po dreams of Kung Fu glory and idolises the Furious Five - a group of highly-skilled warriors who have been trained by legendary martial arts guru Master Shifu, voiced by Dustin Hoffman.Po's life changes forever when he is unexpectedly chosen to fulfil an ancient prophecy and is named Dragon Warrior. Po must work alongside the Furious Five - Tigress (voiced by Angelina Jolie), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu), Monkey (Jackie Chan) and Crane (David Cross) - to defeat the treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) after he escapes from prison.The race is on to transform tubby Po into a black belt fighting machine who must harness his chi before it is too late.Ian McShane is no stranger to playing the bad guy, following turns as the villain of the Old West, Al Swearengen in hit US TV show 'Deadwood', and Captain Hook in 'Shrek the Third'. In 'Kung Fu Panda' he once again commands the screen, lending his chilling voice to the ruthless Tai Lung - who was Shifu's favourite student until he let the power go to his head.