Arriving 16 years after the first film and eight since the last one, "Kung Fu Panda 4" appeals to nostalgia and anticipation by leveraging the characters' ageless appeal and the ongoing success of animated franchises. The film offers audiences of all ages a lot of laughter and thrills while honoring its origins with a polished and quick-paced story.
A new danger to the Valley of Peace gives the cherished DreamWorks franchise—which is well-known for its charming lead Po (Jack Black) and his ascent from a lowly panda to the prestigious Dragon Warrior—new vigor. Now that he is a hero, Po must choose and train a successor while fighting The Chameleon (Viola Davis), a dangerous foe whose aspirations threaten the peace of the valley.
Po is joined on this current journey by a vibrant ensemble of characters, including the fast-talking thief Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina) and his adopted and birth fathers, Ping and Li (voiced by James Hong and Bryan Cranston). The movie deftly combines comedy and action scenes, and Ian McShane, who plays the evil Tai Lung again, gives a remarkable performance.
With his visual flair and intensity, director Mike Mitchell ("Trolls") makes sure the movie keeps moving forward from beginning to end. Both seasoned viewers and beginners will find the film entertaining, even if certain aspects may seem familiar.
"Kung Fu Panda 4" demonstrates that, in fact, absence does make the heart grow fonder, leaving viewers wanting more franchise adventures. With increasing pauses between releases, "Kung Fu Panda 5" is expected to arouse much expectation and offer yet another thrilling chapter in the cherished story.
PG for viewers of all ages, "Kung Fu Panda 4" made its US theatrical debut on March 8.