If you had fun with the other movies, Kung Fu Panda 4 is sure to put a big smile on your face. For a while in my house, Kung Fu Panda was the biggest thing going on as my son was obsessed with the movies and the TV show, plus playing video games and also with the toys! I think that the Kung Fu Panda franchise is a ton of fun and this fourth entry is a good time.
How to Download Kung Fu Panda 4
Kung Fu Panda 4 was released on March 8, 2024. It should become available for download or streaming in two months from this date. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and check the current availability. Check out also reviews of the first three films I’m in the series:
The Movie Review
Delving into Kung Fu Panda 4: More Than Just a Cash Grab
I have read some people say that this is a cash grab, but years ago they did say that they wanted to make six (yes six) King Fu Panda movies so I do think this is something that was planned and not just pushed out to make a quick buck. When DreamWorks go all in with one of their properties, they really go all in and Kung Fu Panda is a prime example of that, I do not think any of their other properties have as much content as this does.
There is a good reason for it! First of all, Kung Fu Panda makes a lot of money! However, Kung Fu Panda is also the kind of thing that can be enjoyed by the whole family. They got all the cast back for this one, most notably Jack Black as Po. However, we have a bunch of new cast members here such as Viola Davis, Awkwafina, and Ke Huy Quan to name a few. Plus, the script was handled by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, and Darren Lemke with Aibel and Berger being here since the first movie.
Po’s Journey Continues: Leadership and Legacy in Kung Fu Panda 4
Kung Fu Panda sees Po once again moving up in the world. The brave Dragon Warrior, Po is going to become the leader of the Spiritual Valley. While he is goofy, loud and I guess some may even say obnoxious, Po is such a likable character for a “kids” movie. Since the original Kung Fu Panda all those years ago, I do feel like Po has had some tremendous character growth.
Of course, Po becoming the leader of the Spiritual Valley is not as easy as it seems. To start with Po needs to find someone new to become the Dragon Warrior. This is great stuff and leads to some legit hilarious scenes. However, this task is made all the more difficult as Po and his friend’s past comes back to haunt them.
Facing the Past: The Challenges of Kung Fu Panda 4
What makes this all the more complicated is that Chameleon who is the big bad for Kung Fu Panda 4 can take other warriors’ abilities and she is going to use the fallen enemies of Po’s past to bring him down. I will be honest and say that the main plot, even with Viola Davis adding some weight to Chameleon feels more like something that could have been an episode on the Kung Fu Panda TV show than a movie.
The Future of Kung Fu Panda: Hopes and Speculations
Still, it is not bad and it certainly has its moments. In some ways, I did feel like Kung Fu Panda 4 was made to be the kickstart for this new trilogy of movies that they have spoken about. Which by the way, with all the news of the layoffs happening at DreamWorks, it makes me wonder if that will even happen. I for one hope that it does as I enjoy this franchise and I would love to see it end the way they intended.
Why Kung Fu Panda 4 is Worth Watching
If you have enjoyed the other Kung Fu Panda movies, you cannot go wrong with spending the afternoon or evening at your theatre watching Kung Fu Panda 4. It has crazy action, it looks fantastic and I do feel that the new cast members add a bit of spice to things. It may not be doing anything radically new, but at the end of the day, did you really think that it would?
