Kung Fu Panda 4 Review
After 8 years since the last flick, Kung Fu Panda 4 sees Po face new difficulties and foes, but it lacks the poignancy of previous sequels, particularly the first, which is still the gold standard.
The original relesased in 2008 cast Black in one of his most memorable roles: a funny, nimble, snack-obsessed Panda who finds inner peace and is thrown into a protective position as the coveted Dragon Warrior. Compared to the sequels, this fourth installment seemed to have lost all creative impulses. So much so that this time's lackluster major baddie, the Chameleon (voiced by Viola Davis), has rely on villains from the past to create an effect, which means Ian McShane's Tai Lung gets reintroduced along with Lord Shen (Gary Oldman).
Dragon Warrior Po (Jack Black) has a meet up with destiny as he prepares to become the Valley of Peace's Spiritual Leader. According to Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Po must personally choose and train a suitable replacement. While auditioning for his successor, Po discovers that the powerful, shape-shifting lizard sorceress The Chameleon (Viola Davis) is looking for the Staff of Wisdom, which would grant her the ability to re-summon every single one of the master villains Po has previously defeated and cast into the spirit realm. If these wicked men got out, it would be definite tragedy. This prompts Po to pair up with the street smart burglar Zhen (Awkwafina), a cunning fox who may be the successor everyone has been looking for.
While Awkwafina and Black have a great comedic connection, she feels miscast in the role. Fortunately, Black and the supporting cast (including Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane, and James Hong) mop up the slack, although their established characters are more compelling than the new recruits, who aren't really good. Fan favorites Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Mantis, and Viper are noticeably absent from this picture, despite making a brief appearance.
Director Mike Mitchell, with writers Jonathan Aibel, Gleen Berger, and Darren Lemke, has created a rather regular trip for Po, with lessons on self-worth and acceptance at the foreground. Predictably, Po and Zhen build a bond as they explore their own personalities and what kung-fu means to them, until the former realizes that change is unavoidable and should be welcomed rather than resisted. However, such insignificant lessons are not approached with enthusiasm or creativity.
The picture feels like an ongoing series of fast-paced action scenes held together by a poor plot, as Po and Zhen carve their own way, while Mr. Ping (Hong) and Li (Cranston) take a very identical course for their rescue mission. Getting to the end isn't the most delightful journey, but the clashes along the way are thrilling. It's worth the wait for the final battle, where Po must beat The Chameleon, who is innovative and full of color, imagination, and action.
Kung Fu Panda 4 feels like an underwhelming addition into an animated series reaching its conclusion with not much of an emotional punch, but the picture feels like a bridge for setting up something else down the road. with Zhen playing a greater part.