Kung Fu Panda 4
The well-meaning panda is back for another frenzied adventure in DreamWorks’ vivid, pun-packed sequel.
Now that the school holidays are here what more could we ask for? Wall-to-wall combat, state-of-the-art CGI, even more nifty kung fu moves and, well, more of the same. Jack Black returns as the voice of Po, the cheerful, dumpling-loving giant panda who is settling in nicely to his responsibility as the Dragon Warrior. He is the guardian of the Valley of Peace and is a figure respected by one and all. But just as he’s getting comfortable in the role, his sensei Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), a diminutive red panda – not to be confused with a red squirrel (an easy mistake to make) – reveals new plans for Po’s evolutionary transition. It’s time to find a successor and to pursue the path towards greater enlightenment. In short, Po must “learn to talk to the universe”. But all Po knows is how to kick butt and “to take names. And if I’m being completely honest, I’m not even that good at the name taking”…
However, before the panda takes on his mantle as spiritual leader, he has one little task to attend to. As it goes with this particular franchise, a new villain emerges from the annals and would appear to be more fearsome and indomitable than any previous adversary. Now, if you could morph into any animal on God’s earth, which would you choose? For The Chameleon (Viola Davis), the answer would be any creature that meets the demands of the moment. Like all the shapeshifters before her, she is a hard opponent to predict and all she needs to become gatekeeper of the Spirit Realm is to appropriate the staff of wisdom from Po’s grasp…
It might not be everybody’s cup of jasmine tea, but Kung Fu Panda 4 doesn’t stint on effort. As colourful and dynamic as a Chinese New Year’s firework display, the film barely stops for breath as it trots out the puns, fight sequences and a variety of novel characters. It is particularly well served by an excellent voice cast, among them Hoffman, Viola Davis, James Hong and Ian McShane. There’s also an engaging new sidekick in the form of Zhen, a wily corsac fox embodied with wisecracking panache by Awkwafina. However, while it may appeal to the short attention span of younger children, the nonstop action might become wearisome for viewers of a more mature disposition. To some it must seem that the multiplex these days provides little but incessant fisticuffs delivered in a never-ending cycle of sequels.
JAMES CAMERON-WILSON
Voices of Jack Black, Awkwafina, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Dustin Hoffman, Viola Davis, Ronny Chieng, Lori Tan Chinn.
Dir Mike Mitchell, Pro Rebecca Huntley, Ex Pro Mike Mitchell, Screenplay Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger and Darren Lemke, Ph Joshua Gunther, Pro Des Paul Duncan, Ed Christopher Knights, Music Hans Zimmer and Steve Mazzaro, Sound Erik Aadahl, Malte Bieler, Dan Gamache, Jason W. Jennings and Ethan Van der Ryn.
DreamWorks Animation/China Film Group Corporation (CFGC)-Universal Pictures.
93 mins. USA/China. 2024. US Rel: 8 March 2024. UK Rel: 28 March 2024. Cert. PG.
