Kung Fu Panda 4

Director: Mike Mitchell, Stephanie Stine
Starring: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronnie Chieng, Seth Rogen
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Runtime: 93 mins. Reviewed in Apr 2024
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc

| |

Rating notes: Mild animated violence, some scenes may frighten young children

After Po is tapped to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, he needs to find and train a new Dragon Warrior, while a wicked sorceress plans to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.

It is 16 years since we were introduced to Po, a genial but not the brightest panda, who as the ‘chosen one’ comes under the guidance of the Guru, Master Shifu, as he works to fulfil his destiny as defender of his place and the assorted population.

The animation is bright and colourful and the action, especially the martial arts, lively. The voices came from a large number of prominent Hollywood talent – Black enjoying himself as Po, with Hoffman voicing Master Shifu.

Since the first film, there have been a number of short features, 42 episodes of a television series, and in the theatres there have Kung Fu Panda 1, 2 and 3, with this movie coming out eight years since Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016).   

Looking back over the synopses of the previous three films, we realise that the plot is virtually the same every time. Po, genial and awkward, takes his responsibilities seriously most of the time but is often lackadaisical. In each movie he confronts a variety of villains. And, it is much the same here. However, this time there is a challenge for Po, with Master Shifu urging him to find and train a successor. But, Po enjoys his life and mission too much.

A lot of the previous villains are now in some kind of eternal dimension. So, here we have our main villain The Chameleon, the absolutely sinister, power-hungry sorceress (Davis). In the meantime, Po encounters the little Zhen, voiced by Awkafina, tantalising, quick in combat, who continually challenges him.

There are plenty of combat sequences, building up to Po versus The Chameleon in an extended confrontation, and the rising from their eternity of so many of the characters of the past, cleaned and imprisoned by Chameleon. And there is always the mischievous Zhen, freeing herself from the power of The Chameleon – leading to who knows where, even a sequel!

Po must be getting old because he does decide on his successor as he moves on to greater wisdom and responsibility (we hope).