It’s not out in China yet, but without a doubt the summer box office smash is going to be “Kung Fu Panda” – a Jack Black voiced cartoon romp, set in China, with the story of how a fat, dizzy Panda, working in a noodle shop, became the much respected “dragon warrior” managing to defeat the mortal enemy – a Snow leopard turned bad. Yes, it all sounds implausible, and not a little silly – but the makers – Dreamworks – have taken the arch all-knowing sly subtleness of adult humor and been able to inject it into what is essentially a movie targeting school kids. Yes, it’s that cliché – one for all the family, and cool enough for the 25 year old set as well. Quite a feat.

The images are straight out of a Guilin inspired landscape, with a monastery at the top of the nearest mountain. All detail is present and correct, and exquisitely drawn – and unusually for foreign films set in China (let alone cartoons) with some accuracy too. The fight scenes, with the “Furious Five” – an assortment of kung fu experts animals with a stellar voice over cast – Lucy Liu (Viper), Jackie Chan (Monkey), Angelina Jolie (Tigress), David Cross (Crane) and Seth Rohers (Mantis) are sensational – and with Ian McShane voicing Tai Lung – the baddie – an action packed – and laugh out loud funny – spectacle is assured. It’s the film you will be watching this summer…

The website, movie trailer and other goodies are all here: www.kungfupanda.com