Full Review

An out-of-shape, awkward bear has martial arts greatness thrust upon him in the winning animated fable "Kung Fu Panda" (DreamWorks).

As the son of Mr. Ping (voice of James Hong), a humble noodle maker in ancient China, Po (Jack Black) spends his days waiting tables and his nights dreaming of spectacular victories over hordes of fleet-fisted opponents. Learning that Oogway (Randall Duk Kim), the sagacious turtle who invented kung fu, is to identify the long-prophesied Dragon Warrior, he hurries to the Jade Palace to be a witness.

Instead, of course, he himself is chosen, much to the consternation of the presumed candidates, the fighters known as the Furious Five (Angelina Jolie, David Cross, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan), whom Po has long admired. Equally baffled and intent on getting rid of the intruder is their master, Shifu (Dustin Hoffman).

As Po strives to make up for his physical shortcomings by sheer endurance, a threat approaches in the shape of villainous snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane), newly escaped from the distant prison to which Oogway had consigned him decades ago. Since prophecy also holds that only the Dragon Warrior can defeat Tai, Po is under the gun to gain Shifu's confidence and get on with his self-transformation.

Co-directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne's wholesome film, by turns amusing and spectacular, features impressive computer-generated special effects and promotes determination and self-confidence.

The film contains mild fantasy violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Movies have been evaluated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's Office for Film and Broadcasting according to artistic merit and moral suitability. The reviews include the USCCB rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie.

The classifications are as follows:

• A-I -- general patronage;
• A-II -- adults and adolescents;
• A-III -- adults;
• A-IV**
• L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
• O -- morally offensive.