When a fellow Farrago reviewer suggested reviewing Kung Fu Panda 4, it was with a mix of curiosity and dread, akin to poking at roadkill to see what would happen. Despite my long-time admiration for DreamWorks Animation, I went into the screening with low expectations, given the overwhelmingly negative reactions from fans and critics. Unfortunately, the film managed to fall even below those low expectations. Not just bad, Kung Fu Panda 4 is afflicted with a terminal case of “wait-this-movie-existed?-itis”—it’s forgettable, uninspiring, and overall meh.
In this fourth installment, we see Po as a seasoned kung fu warrior, now tasked with choosing a successor to take on the role of Dragon Warrior while he ascends to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. This shift in responsibility challenges Po’s identity, especially as he faces the looming threat of a sorceress named The Chameleon. Po must evolve to meet his new circumstances and realize his full potential.
One of the few positives of the film is the portrayal of Po in a mentor role. It was refreshing to see Po, who was once the bumbling newcomer, now taking on the responsibility of guiding a new character, Zhen—a lively fox voiced by Awkwafina. The film explores Po teaching Zhen to view the world less cynically and embrace kindness as a strength. However, the pairing of Po and Zhen lacked depth. Zhen’s background as a skilled street thief made her seem more like Po’s equal rather than a mentee needing guidance. This dynamic weakened the potential for compelling mentorship.
Awkwafina’s performance as Zhen was another misstep. Her distinct voice and one-note delivery failed to allow the character to stand out as her own entity, making it feel more like a cameo by Awkwafina herself. Furthermore, the absence of the Furious Five was deeply felt. The film overcompensated by introducing too many secondary characters, leading to a lack of meaningful development for any of them.
The primary antagonist, The Chameleon, was poorly developed. With motivations barely explained and a backstory condensed into a few lines, the character lacked depth and intrigue. The abrupt introduction of sorcery into the narrative felt jarring and poorly integrated. The Chameleon’s defeat was anticlimactic and failed to deliver on the build-up of her being a formidable opponent.
Despite its many flaws, Kung Fu Panda 4 did deliver on action sequences. The fight scene between Po and Zhen in the Jade Palace was a highlight, showcasing Po’s cleverness and combat skills in a way reminiscent of the series’ earlier successes. However, the film relied too heavily on callbacks to the previous movies, often coming off as a lazy imitation rather than a respectful homage.
The film had numerous missed opportunities. It could have meaningfully developed the dynamic between Po and his former adversaries, or further explored the relationship between Po and Master Shifu. Instead, it settled for superficial and unoriginal plot points that failed to engage.
Kung Fu Panda 4 had the potential to be a great movie, but it fell short in almost every aspect. The film’s reliance on familiar tropes, underdeveloped characters, and lack of originality resulted in a disappointing sequel that barely justifies its existence. For fans of the series, it’s a sad reminder of how far the franchise has fallen from its former glory.