Though there was a certain sense of the story coming to a natural close in 2016’s Kung Fu Panda 3, the powers that be at DreamWorks deemed another go-around with the loveable Po (once again voiced with vigour by Jack Black) necessary, and so families are gifted with the effortless joy that is Kung Fu Panda 4, a rightful reconnection to the charm that first enamoured audiences to the franchise.
Now, DreamWorks may have deemed this a necessity, but, in all honesty, there isn’t much about Kung Fu Panda 4 that’s going to surprise audiences. That being said, the Jonathan Aibel–Glenn Berger–Darren Lemke-penned script knows that enough excitingly choreographed fight sequences, a smattering of childish humour, and a leading Jack Black will more than do the trick. And wouldn’t you know it? Because of such ingredients, this comedic fourthquel manages to land more hits than misses across its brisk 94 minutes.
Po, the unlikeliest of experts in martial arts, is proudly strutting his considerable figure with the knowledge that he is The Dragon Warrior. But, it would seem, destiny has other plans, as his kung fu master, Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), informs him that he’s to graduate to Spiritual Leader status and it’s now on Po to find his successor. That would be all well and good if Po had any interest (or knowledge) in what it is to be a Spiritual Leader, and the haste at which he has to find and train a new Dragon Warrior apprentice really doesn’t gel with his, at-times, casual aesthetic.
The entrance of the sly Zhen (Awkwafina, the distinctly-voiced actress seemingly making it her mission to lend her vocals to as many differing studio animated projects as possible), a Corsac fox with a quick wit and even quicker hands, easily sets up the power dynamic between herself and Po, and the majority of the film is dedicated to the mismatched duo travelling to a neighbouring metropolis – the lush Juniper City – in a bid to stop Po’s beloved Valley of Peace from falling under the sinister clutches of The Chameleon (Viola Davis, very much enjoying her time behind the booth as the lead villain of the piece), a powerful sorceress who has her beady eyes locked on Po’s Staff of Wisdom.
As much as Po and Zhen’s journey to Juniper City – which is quite a beautiful, chaotic setting that brings to mind the unpredictable bustle of New York City – would have proven suffice as an enjoyable narrative, mainly driven by the chemistry between Black and Awkwafina, directors Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Ma Stine incorporate a side arc, which allows the always-enjoyable vocal stylings of James Hong and Bryan Cranston to earn a well-deserved spotlight, with their dualling father figures Mr. Ping (Po’s adoptive Chinese goose father) and Li Shan (Po’s biological father), respectively, coming together to save their son on an equally perilous adventure that, quite respectfully, leans into the mentality of them co-parenting as a same-sex couple.
With the film focusing so specifically on Po, Zhen becoming an effective co-lead, The Chameleon proving a worthy opponent, and Mr. Ping and Li Shan filling out the remaining minutes, it’s understandable that other characters are left by the wayside, and it may come as a surprise to some viewers that the Furious Five, the collective of warriors that assisted Po in mastering his craft across the previous films, aren’t present here. With such a stacked cast as is – and that’s without mentioning Ian McShane‘s return as the evil Tai Lung, Ronny Chieng as an amusing fish that lives in the mouth of a pelican, and Ke Huy Quan as a Sunda pangolin who leads a den of thieves in Juniper City – getting the likes of Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan back for what would’ve likely been cameo appearances obviously proved too much, but the fan favourites do get a jocular shout-out in the film, for what it’s worth.
Whilst Kung Fu Panda 4 is ultimately a step back in terms of ambition when compared to the previous three films, there’s no shortage of laughs and good intentions throughout, which ultimately helps Po and co. rise above whatever shortcomings the story presents. A buddy-action movie that sits comfortably in the space of entertaining both young and older audiences, Kung Fu Panda 4 may not break the type of mould the series has previously, but after so long, just seeing a friendly face in Po is enough to warrant a trek out to the theatres; and, if nothing else, thanks to this, we now live in a world where Jack Black and Hans Zimmer collaborate to cover Britney Spears’s “…Baby One More Time”, which in of itself, is worth the journey.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Kung Fu Panda 4 is screening in Australian theatres from March 28th, 2024, with Advance Screenings between March 22nd and 24th. Kung Fu Panda 4 is screening in North American theatres from March 8th, 2024.
