KUNG FU PANDA 4
Starring: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, and Bryan Cranston
Director: Mike Mitchell
AMARÚ
There is clearly more missing from Kung Fu Panda 4 than just the five prominent characters from the original trilogy. This needless fourth entry is what a non-animation fan would assume the entire franchise is like based solely on the title: a run-of-the-mill, kid-skewed adventure moving from gag joke to MacGuffin to plot trope to stock location. I can’t believe the same writers who filled the first three films with so much heart, soul, and genuine storytelling penned something with only a fraction of that brilliance. Maybe it’s due to only having half the budget? Either way…man, this was disappointing.
CALEB
Although not without its strengths, Kung Fu Panda 4 is tragically average. The voice acting, character design, and animation are as solid as ever, so it’s unfortunate that they’re in service of such a low-effort script. The twists are predictable, the villain is inactive for the majority of the story, there’s too much pointless filler, and the nostalgia baiting is so half-assed that it’d almost be funny if it weren’t so sad. It’s probably entertaining enough for the kids, but if you’re a big fan of the original trilogy, then it might be wise to temper your expectations.
ADRIANO
I quite like the first three Kung Fu Panda movies; hell, I'd even go so far as to say I loved the second one. So it brings me no joy to say that I found Kung Fu Panda 4 severely lacking. It’s clear that it wasn't made by a group of passionate filmmakers as it feels like a studio-ordered slog. Jack Black is as energetic as ever, but Awkwafina is evidently getting bored of the voice booth. Kung Fu Panda 4 simply lacks the heart and soul of the others, so much so that even the fun parts are forgettable.
