KUNG FU PANDA 4
US, 2024, 93 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronnie Chieng, Seth Rogen.
Directed by Mike Mitchell, Stephanie Stine.
It is already 16 years since we were introduced to the large Panda, Po, genial but not the brightest, working in his father’s noodle house, but becoming a chosen one, especially under the guidance of the Guru, Master Shifu, and destined to be the defender of his place and the assorted population, animals of every kind.
The animation is bright and colourful, the action, especially the martial arts combats, always lively. And the voices came from a large number of prominent Hollywood talent, starting with Jack Black enjoying himself as Po, with Dustin Hoffman voicing Master Shifu. There were the five champions of the region, there were villains. And there was combat, despite Po and his initial limitations.
Since his first film, there have been quite a number of short features with the his for Panda, more recently 42 episodes of a television series. And, for the theatres, there was one 2, Kung Fu Panda 3 now, eight years since the last movie, Kung Fu Panda 4.
Looking back over the synopses of the previous three films, we realise that the plot is virtually the same every time, Po, genial and awkward, taking his responsibilities seriously most of the time but often lackadaisical, confronting a variety of villains that turned up each time. And, it is much the same here. However, there is a challenge for Po, Master Shifu urging him to find and train a successor. But, Po enjoys his life and mission too much.
A lot of the previous villains are now in some kind of eternal dimension. So, here we have Chameleon and, shape shifting, absolutely sinister, power-hungry. In a variety of shapes and reverting back to her Chameleon shape, she is voiced by Viola Davis.
In the meantime, Po encounters the little Zhen, voiced by Awkafina, tantalising, quick in combat, continually challenging him.
Plenty of combat sequences, building up to Po versus Chameleon in an extended confrontation, the rising from their eternity of so many of the characters of the past, vanquished and imprisoned by Chameleon. And there is always the mischievous Zhen, freeing herself from the power of Chameleon – leading to who knows where, even a sequel!.
Po must be getting old because he does decide on his successor as he moves on to greater wisdom and responsibility (we hope!).
- The popularity of Kung Fu Panda? Films, television, the characters, the settings, colour, action? The musical score? The strong voice cast?
- The location, the Valley of Peace, the creatures, living in harmony, the noodle store, countryside, the mountains, the city by the sea and its interiors? Atmosphere?
- The same plot is the other films, the focus on Po, personality, size, weight, eating, martial arts skills, his role as defender? The combat sequences? His relationship with his 2 fathers?
- Master Shifu, his role of advice, the challenge to Po, wisdom, choosing a successor (and the comic sequence of the range of possible successors and their style)? His unwillingness?
- The 2 fathers, the store, the chatter, care for Po? The range of characters in the town? The opening, the creatures, the oppression, the enemy, the battle?
- The character of Zhen, small, cheeky, challenging, a skill with martial arts, the encounters with Po?
- The rising danger, Chameleon, her appearance, her voice, the shape shifting, becoming monstrous? Power hungry? Imprisoning the characters from the past and taking their power? Her power over is in? Zen and her rebellion? Siding with Po?
- The buildup to the confrontation, the elaborate battle, the shape shifting, the support of the older creatures, their past with Po, the support of him? The vanquishing of Chameleon? Master Shifu and his encouragement to fight?
- The future, accepting his destiny, the advice that he would know when he found his successor – and the challenge for Zhen?
