Kung Fu Panda 4 Review – Not as Furious but Still Have the Might of Dragon Warrior 

Everybody’s favorite martial artist panda Po returns once again in Kung Fu Panda 4, now in a new crisis he has to overcome while in search of his replacement as the next Dragon Warrior.

DreamWorks Animation takes on the helm once again while the iconic voices from previous Kung Fu Panda movies return to reprise their roles, such as the likes of the always awesome Jack Black as Po along with his co-stars Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, and Ian McShane. This time, the cast is also joined by Awkwafina as Zhen, as well as other well-known names in Hollywood like Viola Davis, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, and Lori Tan Chinn.

The Next Dragon Warrior

Truth be told, the premise of Kung Fu Panda 4 is not exactly the most original or exciting one, but that does not mean that we don’t get a good kick out of this movie. As revealed in the trailer, the movie gives us a glimpse of Po’s journey to retirement as he seeks out a potential candidate as his replacement as the almighty Dragon Warrior.

Sure, Po is not exactly keen on the idea as he is so used to being the hero that he is not ready to move on and become a spiritual leader in the Valley of Peace. Even Master Shifu is stressed as despite a group of great candidates showing up, Po is still very reluctant to surrender his position as the Dragon Warrior.

Soon after, Po meets a cunning corsac fox named Zhen who is looking to steal from the Jade Temple. As Zhen was defeated and captured, Po had a throw-down with another criminal named Chameleon, one who uses magic to disguise herself and take charge in the surrounding town. Unsure how to find the new evil villain, Po has no choice but to trust Zhen as she accompanies him throughout his adventure.

Kung Fu Kicking Greatness

As usual, much like the previous movies, Kung Fu Panda 4 is packed with thrilling action scenes and humor that would have you burst into laughter, especially during times when we see Po training himself to be the wise spiritual leader who speaks in proverbs. Sure, Po’s journey to face his new adversary may not be the smoothest, but without obstacles, there would be no movie, and this is exactly what makes Kung Fu Panda 4 a fun time.

One aspect of the film that we thoroughly enjoy is Zhen’s character development throughout the film. While the pacing is fast, it does feel natural as she spends a lot of time with Po, someone whose morals are high and who can be very naive. Her chemistry with Po is simply excellent as she gradually improves as a person and you would be surprised by what she does later in the film.

Throughout Po’s journey to Juniper City, our favorite butt-kicking panda also meets many interesting characters including three little rabbits and Armadillo, who are all outcasts like Zhen. Those three little rabbits are just adorable and I bet you would enjoy every moment of them onscreen. Po’s fathers also made an appearance for some rather hilarious moments.

We also got to reunite with the enemies of Po’s past who have been expelled from the Spirit Realm. They didn’t play a big role this time around but they do have their own gripe against Chameleon. Yes, Tai Lung is back and he is certainly a character many fans missed.

Karma Chameleon

Speaking of villains, Viola Davis, as always, marked Chameleon with an amazing performance, capturing the evil attitude and absolute greed for power. It is not surprising she has such a powerful presence throughout Kung Fu Panda 4.

Animation is also superbly produced, with DreamWorks Animation inserting some styles from their previous films for added flair. You could see the film presented with a mix of 2D and 3D similar to Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. There are scenes where you see shadowy silhouettes performing actions, rather than the characters themselves, yet they are clear, and distinctively recognizable, all thanks to the wonderfully designed characters by the animators. The showcase of martial arts is of course a highlight of Kung Fu Panda 4 and the fast-paced action certainly has us at the edge of our seats.

Verdict 

While the film does not exactly meet fans’ expectations, it is still a wonderfully crafted film that deserves to be welcomed with open arms. Kung Fu Panda 4 keeps its animation and narrative interesting throughout with wholesome moments, exciting action sequences, and absolutely hilarious jokes. There is definitely disappointment, especially seeing the absence of some characters such as the Furious Five, but even then, Kung Fu Panda 4 still conveys a good action flick with memorable moments.

Let’s not forget the return of Tai Lung, 16 years after the first movie, which does get fans nostalgic for the past. As usual, it does end predictably, which is not a bad thing, but amazingly, the end has opened up more possible stories to come in the world of Kung Fu Panda.

All in all, for those looking to see the great martial arts expert Panda again, this is a film worth a watch.

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