movie coverI'd rather be watching TV![IMDB link] [Netflix link] Fine, I’ll watch it!

HAIKU: I love cartoon films.
This was not an exception!
Comp’rable to Shrek?

PEOPLE: Jack Black. Dustin Hoffman. Angelina Jolie. Seth Rogan. Lucy Liu. David Cross. The Keymaker from the Matrix (Oogway).

QUIRKS: The opening animation reminded Carolyn of Samurai Jack. I thought that it was more like Samurai Jack, with another layer on top. We had to stop to make sure it wasn’t worked on by Genndy Tartakovsky. But then it turns out that is just a 2-D dream sequence designed to make the “3-D” CG look that much better. In the end, this just looks like Shrek. And that’s not a bad thing, as we watched this in 720p HD.

BAD STUFF: Well, it is aimed at kids. So [highlight for spoilers]→ the only on-screen death is pretend death. And it is… about a panda who knows kung fu. I think the manatees that write Family Guy may have come up with that.

CONCLUSION: This was still fun. Think Shrek, but with Samurai Jack levels of action (even if not directed by Genndy Tartakovsky). I think this was probably a bit more entertaining than the Shrek movies. I’d give it 3 stars on Netflix, but maybe rate it a 6.5 or 7 on IMDB. I think I liked it a bit more than Carolyn.

RECOMMENDATION: Animation lovers, watch this. If you have BluRay/HD-DVD, watch this. If you like animated action or Shrek, watch this.

FRIENDS’ RATINGS: Ian really liked it.

Mood: avoiding work
Music: Kreator – Hate Inside Your Head