Dreamworks’ martial arts franchise fails to shine on its fourth attempt

“Although boasting stunning animation and a stellar voice cast, ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ fails to capture the magic of its predecessors due to a lackluster storyline and reliance on tired tropes. The ‘Kung Fu Panda’ franchise has long been a beloved staple in animated cinema, known for its unique visual style and the charismatic performance of Jack Black as the lovable Po, the Dragon Warrior with an insatiable appetite for dumplings.

However, this latest installment, directed by Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Ma Stine, fails to live up to the expectations set by its predecessors. Returning franchise writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, along with Darren Lemke, deliver a narrative that feels rushed and overcrowded, with a brisk 94-minute runtime barely allowing room for the story to breathe.

While the film retains the signature charm and aesthetic inspired by Chinese arts and culture, it struggles to offer anything new or innovative. Instead, it falls back on familiar tropes, including the inclusion of a sassy supporting character voiced by Awkwafina, whose gravelly tones have become almost synonymous with animated features in recent years.

In this installment, Awkwafina voices Zhen, a thieving fox who teams up with Po to thwart the plans of a power-hungry mob boss known as The Chameleon, voiced by Viola Davis. As they embark on their journey, Po’s character development takes a backseat to a convoluted plot involving stolen kung fu and familial obligations.

Despite attempts to inject the story with depth and emotional resonance, ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ ultimately feels shallow and uninspired. Po’s inner conflict regarding his role as the Dragon Warrior and the pressure to appoint a successor is overshadowed by a series of predictable plot twists and action sequences.

While younger audiences may still find enjoyment in the film’s vibrant visuals and lighthearted humor, longtime fans of the franchise may find themselves longing for the depth and complexity that characterized earlier installments. ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ may deliver on spectacle, but it lacks the heart and substance that made its predecessors truly memorable.”

Rating: PG Release Date: Friday, March 8 Where: Wide release Running Time: 94 minutes Rating: 2 out of 4 stars

We bring out some of the most well-known Disney collection, all of which are available at reasonable costs. Visit our link now if you are interested in the Disney collection

Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien