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Outside of the first SHREK film, KUNG FU PANDA is the best movie from DreamWorks Animation. Unlike other DreamWorks’ productions that have relied too heavily on pop culture references, Mark Osborne and John Stevenson’s film has a self-contained world with jokes based on the characters not FAMILY GUY-style “let’s throw out as many references as we can and see what sticks.” Containing the hallmarks of a good family film, PANDA doesn’t talk down to anyone in the audience and provides something for everyone. Martial arts fans will particularly love the action and the subtle references to kung fu classics.

Po (Jack Black, HIGH FIDELITY) is a pudgy panda who dreams of becoming a great kung fu warrior like his heroes — the Furious Five. His father Mr. Ping (James Hong, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA), on the other hand, is grooming him to take over the family noodle business. Meanwhile, kung fu master Oogway the turtle (Randall Duk Kim, THE MATRIX RELOADED) senses that savage Tai Lung the snow leopard (Ian McShane, TV’s DEADWOOD) will escape from prison and destroy the Valley of Peace. He decides it is time to select the mythical Dragon Warrior. His closest disciple, Master Shifu the mouse (Dustin Hoffman, TOOTSIE), presents the Furious Five as contenders for the legendary kung fu master title. However, on the day of the selection, Po makes an unexpected explosion onto the scene and is selected as the Dragon Warrior.

Po turns out to be the ultimate kung fu fan boy, collecting all the Furious Five action figures. However, his kung fu skills are the worst that Master Shifu has ever seen. The Furious Five, which includes Tigress (Angelina Jolie, TOMB RAIDER), Monkey (Jackie Chan, LEGEND OF DRUNKEN MASTER), Mantis (Seth Rogen, KNOCKED UP), Viper (Lucy Liu, KILL BILL: VOL. 1) and Crane (David Cross, TV’s ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), resent Po even being in their presence. At first Shifu doesn’t trust Oogway’s choice, but over time learns to let go.

Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger’s screenplay based on a story by Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris has a zen vibe running throughout. Oogway even states that the now is a gift that’s why it’s called the present. Po is a lovable innocent who doubts himself, but doesn’t want to quit. Shifu has grown cold over the years ever since one of his students betrayed him. Shifu must first learn to stop judging Po before the panda’s destiny can be discovered. Their big training session at the birthplace of kung fu is ingenious and captures the spirit of the entire film.

Beginning with the 2D-animated opening sequence and ending with Po’s showdown with Tai Lung, the action sequences are first rate. Like all good action films, the action sequences are about character first and action second. Filled with excitement, laughs, and good characters brought to life by a wonderful voice cast, KUNG FU PANDA is more than a gimmick for the year of the Chinese Olympics; it’s a movie with some kick.