Review: “Kung Fu Panda 4”★★★
"Kung Fu Panda 4," like the previous releases in this Dream Works franchise, is over the edge of it’s own capabilities.
Once again starring Jack Black as the naïve martial arts master Po, the animated film combines comedy and action sequences with a message of kindness, inner space and self-discovery.
[Watching "Kung Fu Panda 4," a sequel that's probably going to make a zen temple full of money, –I kept thinking at the time: " it's got everything it's supposed to do," This cool fourth chapter of an action fairy tale at least according to the manual of exemplary animated box-office hits.]
Po kicking ass amidst pasty cooking ramblings; a geeky sparring partner, an androgynous-looking fox named Zhen, voiced by Awkwafina, who spends the film barbed-swapping with him; As Po and Zhen set out for the Chameleon’s palace in faraway Jupiter City, Po’s two guardians –his biological father, Li Shan (Bryan Cranston) and adopted father, Mr. Ping (James Hong) follow him in comical pursuit as the movie went on, all I could think was –where’s the skadoosh?
In this film, directed by Mike Mitchell, Po faces his new responsibility as spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, taking the place of his mentor Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). Shifu urges Po to name a successor, but Po is reluctant to give up a life of kicking ass in exchange for handing out wisdom.
The plot is a bit overdone for the target audience of young children, although the scriptwriters have been careful to make it work for newcomers: no previous Kung Fu Panda experience is necessary. It begins with Po's rise from his role as Dragon Warrior to spiritual leader of the valley, taking over his mentor Shifu (no expense has been spared on the vocal cast.) But before he can name his successor, Po stops Zhen (Awkwafina), a street-smart fox thief. The two make a brilliant doublet: Black is adorable and Awkwafina is terrific as a cynical prankster.
Even after 16 years of Po, you'd like to hear Jack Black's voice laden with that youthful exuberance, rather than the wise old man aura he exudes here. You also wish the film had better jokes. Mitchell, who co-directs with Stephanie Stine, doesn't stage the action fights with the surreal freedom that animation allows. Po complies, but I'm sorry it's not funny. as Po would say –"Skadoosh!".
The filmmaker has accomplished a very complicated task: paving the way for a new direction for the franchise, find new ways to entertain ourselves by reminding us of lessons such as "It's never too late to do the right thing" and ending it all with Tenacious D's Black-led version of Britney Spears' "...Baby One More Time." –Embrace the change.
