If they were giving out Academy Awards for lame movie titles then Kung Fu Panda would have to be up there.

What next? Jiu Jitsu Drayhorse? Akido Fieldmouse? Wing Chun Otter?

Fortunately, the movie is nowhere near as limp as the naff name, cheerfully opting for a simple yarn told in a straightforward fashion.

Po (Black) is an amiable adolescent panda obsessed with martial arts idols the Furious Five - they "expose the world to pure awesomeness" - yet seemingly destined to take over the family noodle shop from his dad Mr Ping (James Hong).

That all changes when he gatecrashes a ceremony at The Jade Palace where master kung fu trainer Shifu (Hoffman) is set to reveal the identity of the legendary Dragon Warrior.

A mix-up results in the amenable Po - overweight, nervous and shy - being announced as the city's saviour from the threat of chop-sockey warrior-turned-bad Tai Lung (McShane).

While the over-egged Hollywood message of being yourself and rising above adversity will leave many feeling like they've just demolished an Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet, this is rescued by its sheer good-nature.

It helps that the film-makers have harnessed the knockabout geniality of Jack Black, whose amiable tics and wisecracks are perfectly reflected by the likeable Po.

The rest of the A-List voice team - Jolie, Hoffman, Chan - are practically interchangeable but at least their characters are well-defined and sharply written.

Particularly successful are The Furious Five, a tribute to the five martial arts styles ranging from an aloof tigress to an enhanced mantis, and their nemesis, McShane's twisted snow leopard.

His acrobatic escape from a high-security fortress overseen by Michael Clarke Duncan's wrong-footed chief prison warder is one of the highlights.

Nippers will appreciate a yarn which doesn't get needlessly convoluted while there are enough knowing nods to the adults to keep them sweet.

You'll also find out what the Wuxi Finger Hold is capable of.

Tim Evans