- Title: Kung Fu Panda 4
- IMDb: link
Noticeably missing all five members of the Furious Five, DreamWorks rolls out a new Kung Fu Panda sequel this time centered around Po (Jack Black) being asked by Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) to choose the next Dragon Warrior. Each of the films in the series has had an emotional core tied to Po and his journey. The script clumsily deals with Po’s latest milestone rushing it into happening instantly and also somewhat haphazardly ignores his development in previous films when logic, common sense, or the franchise’s canon might get in the way of a gag (such as Po not being able to find the inner peace he mastered two films ago).
Kung Fu Panda 4 isn’t a bad film. There’s still plenty of fun to be had with Po, his two dads (James Hong and Bryan Cranston), the plucky thieving fox Zhen (Awkwafina), and the new villain in the Chameleon (Viola Davis) whose abilities and larger plan allow for the return of several of Po’s foes including Tai Lung (Ian McShane). As to the outcome, or Po’s choice on a successor, there’s not much in the way of surprises this time around.
Watch the trailer
