Kung Fu Panda 4 is a delightful and fun movie that can be enjoyed by all, especially long-time fans.
Po (Jack Black) must train a new warrior when he’s chosen to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. However, when a powerful shape-shifting sorceress (Viola Davis) sets her eyes on his Staff of Wisdom, he suddenly realizes he’s going to need some help. Teaming up with a quick-witted corsac fox (Awkwafina), Po soon discovers that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places.
DreamWorks has created a fantastic world that is visually stunning. The animation is fluid and engaging, making it a great place to enjoy an adventure. The animals in the story have unique personalities that are so endearing. When combined with the gorgeous setting, the world comes alive vividly and pleasingly. It’s easy to get lost in the story and appreciate the beauty of the animation.
A fabulous cast comes together to bring the animals to life in ways that create engaging characters. Jack Black returns as Po, a clumsy, goofy, and naïve martial arts mammal who still manages to charm and delight fans. Black does an excellent job of portraying the character and bringing depth to his development. Awkwafina portrays Zhen, a new addition to the cast who plays a sassy and humorous fox. Her character fits perfectly in the animal world and adds to the movie’s enjoyable antics. Viola Davis delivers a solid performance as the chameleon, bringing poignant prose and matching the character’s status with her strong demeanor, deep icy voice, and threatening attitude. This performance rounds out the cast and adds an extra layer of depth to the movie.
Kung Fu Panda fans will enjoy the fourth installment with its quirky, innocent humor. Po’s charming naivety and interactions with diverse characters, including his dads, create a fun subplot. Brief intermissions keep the humor fresh, and the movie delivers simplistic chuckles and laughs while staying true to its roots.
Kung Fu Panda 4, although considered to be a children’s movie, incorporates deeper plot elements that are relevant to adults. The story revolves around Po’s journey, which keeps evolving with each film, forcing the clumsy protagonist to face life’s challenges and learn from them. Po manages to connect with every character he meets, revealing their vulnerabilities genuinely and authentically. This helps to balance the comedic aspect of the movie, allowing viewers to become more invested in the story and complete the journey with the panda.
The movie succeeds in being an entertaining film that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. One aspect is the use of silly antics, laughable clumsiness, and censorship which softens the violent elements of the movie. However, Kung Fu Panda 4 doesn’t hold back either. The movie has plenty of inside jokes and elements that parents and older members can appreciate, which expands the audience who will enjoy the movie. This balance is reminiscent of the nineties movies and this film is in touch with that balance, which is something I appreciated.
I was surprised to find that I enjoyed the action in this film and I thought it was one of the best sequences I’ve seen in a while. The animation is a great example of computer-generated imagery, with attention to detail that accurately portrays the martial arts. The fight scenes are dynamic and full of tension, with fast punches, clever reversals, and incredible finishers that defy the laws of physics. And of course, all of it has that special twist that’s representative of the film’s lore.
Overall, Kung Fu Panda‘s latest installment may not be the most unique experience I’ve had, but it is one of the most enjoyable movies I’ve seen this year. It stays true to its roots, continuing Po’s story as a fun adventure filled with family-friendly laughs and well-balanced storytelling that all ages can appreciate. The world is brought to life with beautiful design and animation, and the strong voice acting helps to further develop the characters that we’ve grown to love. The movie boasts some of the best fights I’ve seen in a long time, with action that perfectly fits the story. However, a few twists could have helped break up the monotony and better character usage would have improved the movie. Also, a less rushed ending would have given the movie a stronger finish, but the entertaining credits are a blessing.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is now playing in theaters.
What did you think of the film? Let us know in the comments below
