Summary
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Kung Fu Panda 4
impresses with humor and action, featuring a valuable message on peace and compassion. - Awkwafina’s Zhen shines as a foil to Po, highlighting the importance of genuine kindness.
- While action scenes stand out, weak subplots and characters detract from the main narrative.
Embrace the change, Dragon Warrior! Kung Fu Panda 4 has Jack Black’s furry protagonist learning more valuable life lessons via a butt-kicking CGI odyssey. This time around, he’s got a new fox partner that breathes needed excitement into a stale franchise. The Furious Five are noticeably absent, but honestly not missed. Let’s chalk that up to budget decisions on high-priced celebrity voiceovers. Kids and adults alike will be charmed by a steady stream of good laughs. The film smartly mixes slapstick shenanigans with insightful humor. It runs a tad long, but is better than expected for a fourth iteration.
Bighorn sheep run for their lives as a mysterious attacker destroys their work site. They tremble in fear as a villain thought long gone emerges from the shadows with a dire warning — tell the Dragon Warrior that the Valley of Peace is once again in danger. Meanwhile, Po (Black) easily dispatches his latest opponent. He returns for a truly important event. His two dads, Mr. Ping (James Hong) and Li Shan (Bryan Cranston), are unveiling a new menu at the noodle shop. Po’s adoring fans crowd the entrance for a chance to meet their revered hero.
Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) has more important business for Po than the restaurant’s tofu additions. Po’s horrified to learn that he must choose his successor as Dragon Warrior. Master Oogway had greater ambitions for Po than pummeling criminals with badass kung fu. He must become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace, a job that Po does not want. He’s finally found his groove as Dragon Warrior. Why should he give up such a great gig?
Awkwafina Makes a Perfect Foil as Zhen
3/5
Release Date March 8, 2024
Director Mike Mitchell , Stephanie Stine
Studio DreamWorks Animation, DreamWorks, Universal Pictures
Pros
- Kung Fu Panda 4 is surprisingly funny and has great action scenes.
- Awkwafina and her character Zhen are wonderful and teach a valuable lesson.
Cons
- Weak subplots and underwritten characters detract from the narrative.
Kung Fu Panda 4 delivers a great message: fighting isn’t the best answer for making peace. Po can’t defeat every baddie single-handed. He must find a way to appeal to his enemies’ better nature. The Spiritual Leader brings harmony through reconciliation. Kung Fu can be used for self-defense, but its tenets are really meant for enlightenment. Po’s new mission is to pass on what he’s learned, and be a shining example to everyone around him.
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As the wily fox Zhen, Awkwafina provides the perfect comic foil to Black’s panda goofiness. She is a thief and a prisoner who looks out for herself and exchanges her help for a lighter sentence. Zhen struggles to believe that Po’s kindness is genuine. Why would anyone share their food, look out for someone else, or put themselves in danger to rescue a stranger? There must be some kind of con hidden under the pretense of compassion.
Zhen’s journey to being a better fox begins with acceptance. Po has no secret agenda. His genuine benevolence doesn’t expect repayment. That’s a difficult pill to swallow when all you’ve experienced is greed, selfishness, and cruelty. Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, who’ve written all the Kung Fu Panda movies, continue to address tough themes. This is heady stuff. Aibel and Berger are never preachy. They stick to teaching wisdom via stealth mode.
Great Action Scenes but Weak Subplots
Kung Fu Panda 4 has tremendous action scenes. Po can’t talk his way out of every fight. Veteran animation director Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part) knows how to go bigger and bolder in a sequel. Po is finally an undisputed master. He’s no longer unsure about his level of skill. The film’s opening duel with a manta ray shows Po in full Dragon Warrior glory. The dazzling land, sea, and air battle looks absolutely amazing. The franchise has always cut to painted stills as a way to break up the action. Mitchell does this better than his predecessors. Slick editing choices are certainly a highlight.
Related: Why Lord Shen Is the Best Kung Fu Panda Villain
A subplot involving Po’s two fathers runs long and detracts from the main plot. Aibel and Berger, wink wink, use these character interactions as an example of same-sex parenting. Mr. Ping and Li Shan aren’t a couple, but serve as partners looking out for their son. Their friendship has grown stronger over a mutual love for Po. That warms the heart, but Li Shan is not that interesting or funny. Cranston, one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, doesn’t stand out in the script. The filmmakers should have stuck with the venerable Hong and his interpretation of Mr. Ping. The goose has been hilarious since the first film. He doesn’t need to share screen time.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is a production of DreamWorks Animation. It will be released theatrically on March 8th from Universal Pictures. You can watch the trailer below:
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