KUNG FU PANDA 4 (2024) review

written by: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger and Darren Lemke
produced by: Rebecca Huntley
directed by: Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Ma Stine
rated: PG (for martial arts action/mild violence, scary images and some mild rude humor)
runtime: 94 min.
U.S. release date: March 8, 2024

You may be thinking, wait, there’s been three of these “Kung Fu Panda” movies? Yes, there has, but what’s more challenging to believe (at least for me), is that the first one came out back in 2008. Maybe it’s just as hard to believe that the last time Dreamworks Animation released one of these movies was eight years ago, and that one seemed like a perfect way to close it all out. But, just like Disney/Pixar and their “Toy Story” franchise, Dreamworks & Universal can’t help themselves, and here we are with “Kung Fu Panda 4”. The temptation to stretch out a known property is just too strong for studios. That being said, this third sequel comes at a time when theaters are currently woefully lacking kid-friendly movies in U.S. theaters, so maybe such familiarity is welcome.

Directed by Stephanie Ma Stine and Mike Mitchell (the latter helmed “Shrek Forever After” and “Trolls” for Dreamworks), “Kung Fu Panda 4” was made with the hope of renewing interest in the property and possibly continuing the franchise. While the action and comedy returns, the artistry in the last three movies is missing. “Kung Fu Panda 4” isn’t disappointing or boring; it’s just…it’s just kind of there. That obviously makes this sequel not as entertaining or memorable as the others, with a story that’s weighed down with predictable humor (oh look, a fart joke!) and plot.

In the Valley of Peace, Po (voiced by Jack Black) maintains his title of Dragon Warrior, which was earned after making countless mistakes and many victories. The dumpling-loving panda stays busy, defending all who live in the land – especially while all members of the Furious Five are away on their own missions (an obvious plot convenience). But, when wise red panda Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) informs Po that the time has come for him to name his successor and ascend to the title of Spiritual Leader, the panda is at a loss. Not only does Po feel unfit to give out any wisdom, but he has no idea who to choose as his replacement.

A day after Po has this conversation with Master Shifu, he comes across a corsac fox named Zhen (Awkwafina) trying to steal ancient weapons from the temple. After learning that the snow leopard, Tai Lung (Ian McShane) – who has been exiled to the Spirit Realm since the end of the first movie – has reportedly threatened the locals, Po reluctantly enlists Zhen’s help in tracking down when she reveals someone has been impersonating Tai Lung. At the same time, rumors spread throughout the village that an evil sorceress named The Chameleon (a scenery-chewing Viola Davis), who we learn, is interested in opening up the Spirit Realm and extracting the powers of all the enemies Po has fought. When Po’s adoptive father, Chinese goose Ping (James Hong), and his biological father, panda Li Shan (Bryan Cranston), learn that the Chameleon is a new threat that Po must face, the pair set out to Juniper City to protect their son.

The movie opens with two action sequences, one establishing a threat and the other confirming Po’s status as a defender of the helpless. We see Tai Lung attack a rock quarry filled with working rams, and then there’s a fun action sequence in which Po goes up against a manta ray threatening adorable rabbits. These are the scenes we expect to see in such animated features, but the design and movement aren’t as imaginative as what we’ve seen before in the franchise.

Early on, the story starts to possibly explore something new for the titular character, explicitly revolving around his identity and how he sees himself. It wasn’t until Master Shifu’s conversation with him that Po considered he’d be doing anything other than the duties of a Dragon Warrior. It’s a fascinating idea to explore. After all, sometimes those close to us have a clearer vision for our future than we do. However, the screenplay from Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, and Darren Lemke, doesn’t delve very deep into such matters.

Instead, the focus shifts to Po’s interaction with Zhen, the new character introduced in “Kung Fu Panda 4”. It establishes a gradual and noticeable master/apprentice partnership between the two characters. Considering there’s been an abundance of Awkwafina’s voice showing up in animated features, hearing her here has a ripcord effect and, at this point, feels like overexposure. She’s so much more than comic relief, as proven in Lulu Wang’s great live-action dramedy, “The Farewell”, from 2019. Still, I don’t blame her for signing on; it just made me wish someone else had a crack at the role of Zhen.

The screentime between Po and Zhen gets tedious after a while, with only a few action choreography highlights here and there. The best time spent with this new duo is when they encounter other characters who can help them along their journey. While in Juniper City, they meet some of Zhen’s old acquaintances, like Han (a comical albeit underused Ke Huy Quan), a Sunda pangolin and leader of the Den of Thieves. They are also guided by a green aworana fish (voiced by Ronnie Chieng) who lives inside a pelican’s mouth.

More amusing is the subplot journey Po’s fathers embark on. They are two different personalities, but not necessarily opposing – Ping is a nervous worry wort, while Li Shan boasts a tough exterior. It’s fun to hear Cranston work off of veteran actor Hong (who is still a standout at age 95!), and it’s a good thing there’s time made for these two, considering the main antagonist isn’t all that. Both actors have a good time, and how the character animation seamlessly matches their work is a hoot.

That’s not to say Viola Davis doesn’t bring her formidable chops to the role; it’s just how The Chameleon is written. There’s just not much to work with. There are some cool, shape-shifting visuals with the character, but apart from that, it feels like an Oscar-winning actress trapped in a forgettable villain with flimsy motivations. The last act, in particular, finds the character engaging in a requisite climactic smackdown, which finds very predictable conclusions for both characters and the plot.

I hate to say it, but “Kung Fu Panda 4” feels like one of those straight-to-video Disney sequels from the early 90s, just with the same voice actors. Sure, it continues the adventures of established characters while introducing some new ones, but I can’t see why this must be a big-screen experience. Undoubtedly, Jack Black is still as energetic as ever, but I’d like to see him branch out. During the end credits, his Tenacious D cover of the Britney Spears classic, “Baby One More Time,” left me hoping there would be no more one more time.

RATING: **