Kung Fu Panda

Right now you can watch Kung Fu Panda in Australia on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and in the UK on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jack Black sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Start it on Netflix whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Kung Fu Panda is worth clearing space for. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Kung Fu Panda from the crowd. Chosen by prophecy but doubted by all, Po is an unlikely choice for the mystical title of the Dragon Warrior—a clumsy panda thrust into the world of kung fu as a deadly enemy threatens the Valley of Peace. Under reluctant guidance by Master Shifu and the Furious Five, Po must embrace who he is to unlock the power that no scroll can teach. The chemistry Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman bring to it does a lot of the heavy lifting. It was released in 2008. The timing in Kung Fu Panda is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Kung Fu Panda is a strong candidate. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Jack Black's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.