By: Sierra Willis
Sixteen years after the original, the Kung Fu Panda franchise continues to expand into the forth movie. Released March 8, 2024, the movie pushes the franchise past a rare milestone.
The original film was released in 2008, leading DreamWorks Animation into what they would know now as “a highly relatable story,” according to Avijit Gupta in The Daily Guardian.
The original launched a billion-dollar animation franchise for DreamWorks Animation. Resulting in numerous sequels, spin-off television series, merchandise such as toys and games, and an upcoming theme park set to be featured at Universal Studios, the franchise has become a global phenomenon.
Po, voiced by Jack Black, leads the fourth sequel. Po is a gigantic and adorable Panda who is led to become the highly unlikely Dragon Warrior.
Po finds himself thrust into an unexpected role ordained by fate: assuming the mantle of Spiritual Leader in the Valley of Peace. However, this transition presents a dilemma.
First, Po is as knowledgeable about spiritual leadership as he is about the intricacies of the paleo diet. Secondly, he must urgently identify and mentor a successor to the title of Dragon Warrior before embracing his newfound status.
Complicating matters further, reports emerge of a malevolent and formidable sorceress named Chameleon (voiced by Oscar winner Viola Davis), a lizard possessing the ability to transform into any creature, regardless of size.
Chameleon sets her covetous sights on Po's reserved Staff of Wisdom, which, if acquired, would grant her the ability to resurrect past villains from Po's past encounters, releasing them into the spirit realm once more.
Realizing the magnitude of the threat, Po seeks assistance, finding an unlikely ally in Zhen (voiced by Golden Globe winner Awkwafina), a mischievous thief of an abandoned fox lineage.
Despite their initial disagreements, Po and Zhen must reconcile their differences and unite forces to safeguard the Valley of Peace from Chameleon's schemes. Through their comedic and unconventional partnership, Po will come to understand that heroism can emerge from the most unexpected places.
I found the film well-constructed yet odd and predictable.
The creators use this film as a combination ending to the other films and shows that have come before.
The main point of this film is at the very end of the movie where Po and Zhen come together to defeat Chameleon and her evil plan to take over Peace Valley.
In the end, they defeat Chameleon and Po chooses Zhen as the new Dragon Warrior.
This ended with a finely crafted film that hints at the possibility of a sequel, which would shift focus from Po to Zhen.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score is rated at eighty-six percent. It’s a movie that is fun for the whole family and is playing in theaters across the country.
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