“Kung Fu Panda 4″ is DreamWorks’ newest movie, adding to the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Its initial release on March 8, 2024, has been highly anticipated by fans, being the first installment in eight years. Despite some controversial decisions, the film was still extremely enjoyable and memorable for viewers.
Leading up to the release, many fans were worried about the absence of several characters from the previous movies, most notably the Furious Five. Po, the title character and protagonist, explains early on that the Furious Five are away on individual missions, justifying their absence during the film. Despite not being in the movie itself, they still did have a surprise appearance during the credits section.
Fans were also critical of the franchise’s shift in plot. The first three movies represent a narrative arc with Po’s self-actualization and demonstrate a “Perfect Trilogy,” with many considering them masterpieces in the animated space. This newest installment strays away from the trilogy’s storyline with new characters and a completely different plot, causing many to question the movie’s existence in the first place.
Another critiqued area of the movie is its narrative. The film follows Po and Zhen, an orphaned thief who meets Po on his journey to Juniper City, where he fights the new antagonist, Chameleon. Zhen was excellently voiced by Awkwafina and contributed to the narrative with her charm and personality. However, her betrayal and redemption arc at the movie’s end seemed rushed and unjustified for viewers. Some other additions, like the separate mission of Po’s dads, seem like a distraction from the main storyline and do not contribute to the overall storyline.
However, the movie did succeed with its exceptional visuals. The animators created stunning depictions of the landscape, nature and cities. The kung fu animation was also amazingly created, with fluid and creative fight scenes that surpass the other movies. The continuity of the animation style within the franchise and its gradual improvement help maintain the same style and spirit as the original three movies.
The movie’s soundtrack was also a major achievement, with Hans Zimmer as the producer. One example is his rendition of “Crazy Train,” which incorporated Chinese instruments and was excellently incorporated into the Kung Fu Panda style. The most notable feature was the cover of Britney Spears’s “…Baby One More Time” by Tenacious D, played over the credits section.
Overall, the movie was extremely enjoyable for viewers and fans of the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Although it did fall short with some unwanted changes in the characters and plot, fans still saw exceptional visuals, fun characters and an entertaining storyline that lived up to the original trilogy.
