"Oh yay, another sub-par, mediocre movie-to-game tie-in", was more or less want went through my mind when I loaded the disc on my PS3, dreading what lay ahead like a looming mountain.

As we all know, games based on movies are something that should be avoided at all costs, seeing as more often than not it's simply an exercise in milking yet more money from an already successful blockbuster franchise.

Based on the hugely popular computer animated film by Dreamworks, 'Kung Fu Panda' is the latest addition to the ever-growing list of movie spin-offs, and knowing that it was developed by the relatively unknown gaming studio Luxoflux certainly didn't do much to alleviate my fears.

About an hour into the game, however, the look of dismay and dejectedness was replaced by something entirely unexpected. A lopsided grin was starting to form and, try as I might, I couldn't get rid of it!

'Kung Fu Panda' in no shape or form innovates or greatly challenges the action / platforming genre, but it does prove that games based on movies — with the correct amount of effort and dedication — can turn out surprisingly good.

In short, the game is one big fur ball of fun from start to finish.

Having not yet seen the movie myself, I can not attest to how true to the source material the story stays, but suffice to say that I was involved in the story from beginning to end and the short bursts of storytelling between levels did enough to pique my interest for what the conclusion held.

Making use of cut scenes and voice-ever text, the story is entertaining enough on its own and having a very competent gaming experience attached to that only serves to enhance the overall experience.

Make no mistake though, the game is squarely aimed at kids — this ain't no 'Ninja Gaiden' — but the depth in combat is surprisingly detailed. You will need to dabble in the different attacks available, practicing your timed button-mashes and upgrading your attacks as you progress, as some of the bosses are actually quite challenging.

The game is a mixture of action — with a decent amount of combo's available — and platforming. Some sections of the game are optional and this makes it perfect for the casual gamer just looking for a bit of diverting entertainment. Some levels even harness the SIXAXIS' motion sensitivity features, but always allow you the choice of using it or not.

There are quite a few unlockables to be found, from figurines of characters in the game, to concept art and video-montages of the characters. This does add a bit of longevity to the game, which sadly can be completed in about five to six hours.

Though there's no online multiplayer option, offline multiplayer is prevalent and consists of various different challenges that up to four players can compete in. Every challenge has to be unlocked in-game, which is a nice little incentive for replaying the game a second time.

As far as looks go, the game may look a bit washed out, but it's still pretty impressive as far as lighting and character designs go. Facial movements are spot-on and convey a real feeling of watching bits of the movie.

If you have kids, this title comes with a hearty recommendation from me. Even adults who stubbornly hold onto the kid inside will find much more in here than they've bargained for.