"Kung Fu Panda," directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne, is as much fun as can be had at the movies right now. Jack Black is the obvious choice for Po the Panda-a vocal embodiment of the lazy dreamer, whose character's elaborate dream life is far more exciting than working at a noodle shop amid the bustle of ersatz-feudal China. Po is, basically, a nerd. He knows everything about martial arts and is immersed in its minutiae. It's all in his expansive mind. Which is supported by a structure too expansive for a sit-up.

This makes Po the perfect protagonist. As a bear, he is the ugly duckling and underdog who will be disparaged, dismissed and, eventually, triumphant. After a riotously comic entrance into the Forbidden City, Po is named the Dragon Master, whose selection is akin to that of the Dalai Lama. Judging by his looks, however, the Chosen One is less Giant Panda than Double Stuffed Oreo.

The fight scenes will keep kids percolating in their seats, but a creative cartoon energy sparks throughout "Kung Fu Panda." Since the movie's debut at Cannes, the critical consensus seems to be that it is fun, but no classic. I don't know about that. Sounds like too many critics had too much fun to trust their own judgment.