Kung Fu Panda 4 Review: Jack Black Faces Off Against Viola Davis In Fun, Satisfying Sequel

Over the course of three Kung Fu Panda movies, audiences have watched as Jack Black’s lovable panda Po beat the odds and became the unstoppable force known as the Dragon Warrior. Now, eight years after the franchise appeared to end (at least on the big screen), Po is back in a new adventure that offers another, perhaps more satisfying endpoint to his story in Kung Fu Panda 4. Though following a familiar formula that’s running the risk of wearing thin, this new sequel from director Mike Mitchell and co-director Stephanie Stine still finds some heart in the reliable Dreamworks franchise.

Kung Fu Panda 4 is the fourth film in the animated martial arts adventure franchise. The film will see Po leave his home and enter the city to search for his future Dragon Warrior replacement while dealing with a dangerous shapeshifting foe known as The Chameleon.

Pros

• Viola Davis is fantastic as Kung Fu Panda 4’s villain
• The animation’s visual style will bring viewers in
• Po’s journey comes to a satisfying conclusion

Cons

• The Furious Five’s absence leaves a gap
• Certain elements of Po’s story feel redundant

Kung Fu Panda first began in 2008 and became a box office phenomenon that only grew with its sequel. However, Kung Fu Panda 3 saw some diminishing returns, and it remains to be seen how this new effort will fare. As someone who just binge-watched all three movies, I can confidently say that those who enjoyed Po’s past adventures will find things to love about this one, even if it is lacking some beloved parts. Kung Fu Panda 4 starts off similarly to the previous movies, with one of Po’s previous adversaries making a surprise return in an ominous prologue.

Po’s Arc Is Starting To Feel Stale

By now, Po has fully embraced his role as the Valley of Peace’s Dragon Warrior, and he’s even got a new staff to highlight his elevated position. The movie picks up threads from Kung Fu Panda 3, specifically involving Po possessing the late Master Oogway’s staff. As a result, Master Shifu (a returning Dustin Hoffman) informs Po he needs to pick someone to be the new Dragon Warrior so Po can become the Valley’s spiritual leader. Unsurprisingly, Po is against the idea and actively avoids it by turning his focus to China’s latest threat, the shape-shifting Chameleon (Viola Davis).

Po begins Kung Fu Panda 4 with his typical irreverent personality fully intact. He’s become more sure of himself when it comes to heroics, but when faced with greater responsibility, he deflects with jokes, much to Shifu’s chagrin. It is somewhat exhausting to see Po refuse to grow, particularly after we’ve seen him learn time and again that he has to undergo some change.

Kung Fu Panda 4 soon recovers and puts him on a path of genuine development, but it does suggest there isn’t much further for this character to go. Luckily, Black hasn’t missed a beat in voicing Po, throwing himself into the role once again with plenty of enthusiasm. His cover of Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time” in the credits is also not to be missed.

Kung Fu Panda 4’s Supporting Cast Shows The Franchise’s Strengths

As with the previous movies, Kung Fu Panda 4 has assembled an impressive voice cast. Po’s friends and fellow warriors, the Furious Five, are conspicuously missing, and their absence is disappointing. Nevertheless, the movie tries its best to fill in the gaps. Returning characters Li (Bryan Cranston) and Ping (James Hong) get their own subplot, as Po’s dads bond over their shared concern for his safety, and their heartwarming dynamic leads to plenty of laughs. Ian McShane also returns as the first movie’s villain, Tai Lung, and his appearance is thankfully satisfying rather than gratuitous.

In lieu of the Furious Five, Po spends much of his time bonding with Zhen (Awkwafina), a thieving fox with impressive skills. They first cross paths when Zhen is attempting to rob the Jade Palace, and Po enlists her in his crusade against the Chameleon when he realizes she has vital information. Their opposing personalities make for an enjoyable, if predictable, dynamic; there’s little doubt about where Zhen’s story will end, with one character even declaring it outright. But it’s sweet to see Po in a mentor role, particularly because Shifu takes a back seat (while still supplying ample humor).

When it comes to the rest of the Kung Fu Panda 4 newcomers, Ke Huy Quan gets in a fun role as an unscrupulous pangolin, but it’s Davis who truly shines as the central villain. Fresh off her bad guy role in last year’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Davis evidently continues to have a ball playing nasty characters, giving a rich, entertaining vocal performance.

The Chameleon’s backstory isn’t the strongest this franchise has seen, but her character design — which involves large, widely-spaced eyes and a long, unsettling grin — adds an extra level of menace. That her journey allows for some callbacks to Kung Fu Panda‘s past only heightens the thrill.

Kung Fu Panda 4’s Animation Is A Delight

Outside its story and characters, Kung Fu Panda 4 features some excellent visuals. From the energetic fight scenes that make the most out of the characters’ designs to the impressive new settings Po travels to (the most exciting being Juniper City, a bustling metropolis that feels both ancient and new), the creative team always ensures the movie is compelling to watch. There are additional visual flourishes interspersed throughout that give Kung Fu Panda 4 a unique style.

All of these elements come together for an ultimately satisfying sequel that retains the heart of the franchise. Whether there will be more of Kung Fu Panda beyond this remains to be seen, but if this is to be Po’s last adventure, it leaves the character in a good place. Black’s performance as Po now stands among the most beloved in all of animation, and Kung Fu Panda 4 certainly acts like a worthwhile sendoff. At the same time, there is a thread that could be picked up for an additional movie, so perhaps this isn’t goodbye yet.