Caught up with this one a bit late (obviously), but was pleasantly surprised to find it much better than the previews had suggested. The animation finds a nice balance between photorealism and caricature, and Jack Black dials down his tenacious anarchy to kid-friendly levels without selling out his energy and wanton enthusiasm for all things ridiculous (some of the film’s best moments are when his rolly-polly panda expresses his ardor for the kung fu moves that have just laid him to waste). Of course, the movie comes complete with a standard-issue “believe in yourself” message, but it’s delivered with enough self-effacing humor that it doesn’t becoming cloying. (Hollywood Jewel 16, Waco, TX)