Whenever a studio decides it’s time to continue one of its landmark franchises, there’s always a concern regarding the expectations audiences should have about the new installment. Thankfully, Kung Fu Panda 4 lives up to the challenge, with the new adventure directed by Mike Mitchell serving as yet another emotional entry into the world of the Dragon Warrior. Even if it’s been eight years since Kung Fu Panda 3 was released, this franchise still feels very much alive, taking Po (Jack Black) on a journey to determine the future of the Valley of Peace.
Kung Fu Panda 4 follows Po as he’s living his best life when it comes to protecting the Valley of Peace from powerful threats. Using the weapon from Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) and the knowledge he’s gained from the battles in the previous movies, the Dragon Warrior is very comfortable with his life up until that point. However, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) informs Po that it’s time for him to choose a successor, even if the charismatic panda doesn’t feel comfortable with the idea. Whether he likes it or not, it’s time for Po to find the following animal to take over the responsibility of being the Dragon Warrior.
Po has faced many powerful antagonists throughout his career, including Tai Lung (Ian McShane), Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) and Kai (J.K. Simmons). But none compare to the unpredictable Chamaleon (Viola Davis), with the Kung Fu Panda 4 villain driven by an unreasonable thirst for power. Capable of stealing the abilities of anyone she chooses, the Chamaleon is determined to bring back notable kung fu figures from the Spirit Realm to absorb their power. There was only one character capable of helping Po with this seemingly impossible mission.
Regretfully, Kung Fu Panda 4 benches the Furious Five to introduce new characters to the franchise, including Zhen (Awkwafina). The sequel feels a bit detached from what has come before it because it constantly attempts to usher the franchise into a new era. And even though the narrative is in the right place thanks to the screenplay written by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, and Darren Lemken, the change of pace might be abrupt for audience members expecting something closer to the previous films.
An element of the world of Kung Fu Panda that was very intriguing in the latest installment of the franchise isn’t a huge revelation about Po’s past or the return of even more characters from other stories, but the revelation that Po isn’t a celebrity outside the Valley of Peace. Only a few people have heard about his encounters with Tai Lung, Lord Shen and Kai. While he’s highly beloved by the people of his community, he’s a total stranger to the outside world, reinforcing the message of the first movie regarding how things only hold the value we give to them.
The voice performances in Kung Fu Panda 4 might not be as powerful as the ones heard in previous installments. However, the charisma of Jack Black is always undeniable, making the big screen his own whenever Po appeared. The character that Black brought to life for more than a decade remains relevant to this day, constantly evolving with every passing sequel. And when it comes to the franchise’s new additions, Viola Davis is a formidable opponent for the Dragon Warrior, with the Chamaleon shining as a subtle, overwhelming threat.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is a wonderful addition to the franchise, expanding Po’s horizons by taking him to the big city and letting him explore what it would mean for a new Dragon Warrior to take his place. By facing a powerful villain who doesn’t have time for nonsense, Po takes on the biggest challenge of his career in a fantastic adventure that the entire family can enjoy. Fans of the franchise can be confident in their favorite panda’s latest adventure, which continues DreamWorks Animation’s trend of creating beautiful sequels.
Score: 8/10