The spectrum of amiable tripe is oft underrated, especially in our current age of nasty. I’m never going to put a Kung Fu Panda film on a best list of any kind, but that doesn’t mean these fairly blasé films lack merit. Yes, our hero is tubby, a bit daft, and often reluctant, but Po is a decent protagonist and a pretty good role model; your kids can do a lot worse. I’d much rather their heads were here than watching 90% of what else they might find on Netflix.
We’ve been over this before: Po (voice of Jack Black) is a giant panda with exceptional kung fu skills. There are better fighters, but Po has become the “Dragon Warrior” for his uncanny ability to mix business with pleasure, so-to-speak. Po has a humility that keeps him grounded, and it’s a good look; how can a giant panda be anything but humble? It’s arguably the most adorable species on Earth. “Cute and arrogant” rarely mix.
As the film begins, Po has reached the next stage of his life: Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace, whatever the Hell that means. As such, however, he must not only shed the title of “Dragon Warrior,” but choose his DW successor. For a humble panda like Po, decisions are hard. His mentor, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), is often irascible but also kinda jelly about the favoritism shown Po. Do Masters get jealous? Isn’t that the kind of thing a Master should never do? Forget it, Jim. It’s Chinatown.
Meanwhile, in another film, The Chameleon (Viola Davis) is doing enough bad stuff to demand attention. And Po, not wishing to choose a successor yet, decides to scratch
that itch first. However, he’s got a new companion, a thieving fox named Zhen (Awkwafina). BTW, did we know Po had two dads? I must have missed that from previous films. Way to be progressive, Panda franchise.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is amiable tripe, like I said above. That said, there’s enough present for parents not to be bored. Highlights for me included a bar fight in which Po flat-out refuses to harm (if he can help it) or steal from opponents; the film goes quite a ways to show Po replacing all of the ill-gotten gains obtained by Zhen during the melee. One might also like a chase montage set to the tune of “Crazy Train” handled by traditionally Chinese instruments. And I personally loved the Kung Fu take on angel/devil on opposite shoulders where Po’s “Master Shifu” consciences BOTH shared the same opinion. “Shouldn’t my Shifus have different opinions?” “NO!”
Don’t lecture me here; I know this franchise is on the tiresome side, but I liked 4 better and Kung Fu Panda 2 or Kung Fu Panda 3. And if your kid lives for a larger-than-life cartoon panda announcing “SKA-DOOSH!” at odd intervals, well, this will make their spring.
There once was a Panda named Po
A martial arts king, doncha know?
And every five years
He returns among cheers
To remind us his franchise is so-so
Rated PG, 94 Minutes
Director: Mike Mitchell, Stephanie Stine
Writer: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Darren Lemke
Genre: Your kids will enjoy it
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: If your children enjoyed three Kung Fu Panda films to date, I see no reason why they won’t enjoy a fourth
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: I dunno, megalomaniacs, maybe? It’s kinda hard to despise a good-hearted panda.
