The world of animation is once again thrilled with the return of everyone's beloved panda, Po, in the fourth installment of the beloved franchise, "Kung Fu Panda 4." Directed by Mike Mitchell, the film delivers a blend of stunning kung fu action, signature jokes from Kung Fu Panda 4, and a fun new adventure.
PLOT SUMMARY
The story centers on Po, now a respected Dragon Warrior, who is faced with a new, even greater task: becoming a Spiritual Leader, following in the footsteps of Master Oogway. This task requires Po to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior to succeed him.
However, Po, still enjoying his role as a warrior, is reluctant to "retire" and struggles to accept his new assignment. Amidst this turmoil, a serious new threat emerges: The Chameleon, an evil sorcerer-chameleon with the extraordinary ability to shapeshift and absorb the kung fu powers of all Po's enemies he has defeated and sent to the spirit realm, including Tai Lung.
To confront this threat, Po teams up with Zhen, a cunning corsac fox and skilled thief from Juniper City. Together, they embark on a journey to the great city to stop The Chameleon, where Po must also struggle to accept his destiny as a spiritual leader and, ultimately, choose the right heir.
REVIEW
The best parts of “Kung Fu Panda 4” lie in the comedy and significantly improved visuals. Po, brilliantly re-voiced by Jack Black, remains a major source of laughter with his goofy, innocent, yet resilient character. Po’s interactions with the new characters, especially Zhen, inject a fresh and humorous dynamic. Awkwafina successfully portrays Zhen as a character with a morally ambiguous character who challenges Po’s black-and-white view of the world.
The animation quality and fight choreography are a feast for the eyes, with more violent, faster, and more innovative kung fu moves tailored to the characteristics of the newly introduced animals. The return of legendary enemies under The Chameleon’s control also provides a special nostalgia treat for longtime fans.
The only criticism I have is that the plot surrounding Po's character development feels less in-depth than in previous films. The film seems to force Po to quickly rise through the ranks, making Po's process of finding inner peace and choosing his successor feel a bit rushed and unconvincing. The absence of the Furious Five also makes some of the kung fu action feel less than optimal. However, overall, the new adventures in Juniper City and the creative final battle make up for this, making for a fast-paced and entertaining spectacle. MAIN CAST
MAIN CAST
Jack Black - Po
Awkwafina - Zhen
Viola Davis - The Chameleon
Dustin Hoffman - Master Shifu
James Hong - Mr. Ping
Bryan Cranston - Li
Ian McShane - Tai Lung
IS IT WORTH IT?
Overall, "Kung Fu Panda 4" is a pretty good action-comedy. While the storyline is slightly less intense than the previous Kung Fu Panda films, the film still delivers some good jokes. This film is worth watching, especially for loyal Kung Fu Panda fans and family audiences looking for a light and laugh-filled animated film.
Rating: 7.5/10
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