"There's no charge for awesomeness"

Kung Fu Panda at first glance seems like it's going to be a very traditional Disney movie: appealing to kids alone and leaving most parents and teenagers out in the cold at the theater, just waiting to escape to something less boring. However, from the first five minutes of the movie, teenagers, grandparents and eight year olds alike were laughing almost nonstop.

The movie follows all of the traditional patterns for its genre. A teenager, dissatisfied with his lot in life, somehow finagles his way into a situation where too much is demanded of him. A wise older character gives him the wisdom and strength he needs to overcome the seemingly impossible obstacles set before him, and the movie ends with all well.

In the case of Kung Fu Panda, that story is accompanied by so much more. Lines like "There's no charge for awesomeness" and "Legend tells of a legendary warrior whose kung fu skills were the stuff of legend" keep both kids and adults alike laughing and groaning at the comic absurdity of Po (Jack Black) and his kung fu dreams.

As Po dreams about the Furious Five, the best students of kung fu, evil is stirring in a jail where Tai Lung is escaping. Tai Lung, a character similar to the villain from Mulan, has sworn vengeance against Po's village. The Dragon Warrior must be found, and Po is discovered to be the one, to the outrage of the Furious Five and their master, Shifu. Nonetheless, Po undertakes the training and the movie is given several very cool battle scenes as a result.

Each character, from Tai Lung to the Furious Five Po is forced upon, brings a surprising element of depth to the story that is often missing in kid's movies. In addition to an entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny story line, there are lessons to be learned about pride, jealousy and life's "secret ingredient." This is one movie that should not be missed.