Sweet pandemonium as Kung Fu Panda returns
The fourth instalment featuring our favourite dragon warrior is as entertaining as ever. By
Secretly, I had been counting down the days to the release of Kung Fu Panda 4, but I was pretty anxious about whether the Dreamworks Animation franchise would still capture my interest with witty dialogue, thrilling fights and a solid script. So, I’m happy to report that our dumpling-loving friend the dragon warrior is still kicking butt.
I watched the first movie after its release in 2008 when I was in Grade 2. Since then they’ve milked two sequels and many spinoffs from the franchise – and I’ve loved them all. In this fourth instalment, the filmmakers kept all the core elements that make the movies a hit: crisp visuals, heart-warming moments and never-ending humour.
Listen, man, Kung Fu Panda 4 took me to the Spiritual Realm and back!
A new leader
Po is enjoying his dragon warrior status and doing what he does best – fighting and eating. We find him busting criminals and promoting the noodle shop owned by his two dads, Ping (James Hong) and Li Shan (Bryan Cranston).
Then Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) tells Po he needs to take over as the spiritual leader of the valley, a position that was previously filled by Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim).
This news does not sit well with Po, who is very happy being a dragon warrior, so he neglects his responsibilities. While doing so, word gets out that the first villain he ever defeated, Tai Lung (Ian Mcshane), has returned from the Spiritual Realm.
As Po wraps his head around the possibility that his old nemesis has been spotted, he busts a fox thief at the Jade Palace named Zhen (Awkwafina), who informs him that there is a shape-shifting sorceress, The Chameleon (Viola Davis), roaming around.
Po takes us and Zhen on his adventure to take down this new villain.
Heart-warming silliness
Oh, how I’ve missed nerdy, innocent ol’ Po. Jack Black’s ability to help Po hop into our hearts is undeniable
Oh, how I’ve missed nerdy, innocent ol’ Po. Jack Black’s ability to help Po hop into our hearts is undeniable. The enthusiasm in his voice and the humour makes the porky panda so lovable.
Besides Black’s phenomenal performance, Awkwafina and Davis are incredibly talented and deliver their characters beautifully.
It is so heart-warming seeing Po’s dads coming together to protect their son, although they are two scaredy-cats. Their union produces such wholesome humour throughout the movie.
Seeing some of Po’s nemeses return from the Spiritual Realm is also really nostalgic for me, and a great addition to the story. There’s a beautiful message in the movie for both adults and the little ones about welcoming change.
There were some instances when I thought certain scenes needed to borrow tracks from the Billboard charts, but Britney Spears’s Baby One More Time covered by Tenacious D threw a great party in my ears. Otherwise, the traditional music is good too.
If you do not know Po or Kung Fu Panda (I totally envy you because I would love to watch every movie for the first time), don’t worry, the latest instalment’s story is crafted in a way that explains all the major points.
I rate this movie five out of five stars.
Watch Kung Fu Panda 4 in 2D or 3D at Ster-kinekor cinemas. Have a Pandaful experience!