The “Kung Fu Panda” series lacks skadoosh.
“Kung Fu Panda 4,” the latest installment in the franchise, which debuted in 2008 (and which we last visited in 2016), is a perfectly animated family adventure that doles out too many thrilling fight scenes and not enough nuggets of wisdom. We get lessons in teamwork, patience, and inner peace, but a flimsy story and weak villain do no favors for Po – the big-hearted, Jack Black-voiced, meatball-loving giant panda. center of the saga. .
Po has returned to his quiet Valley of Peace where he prepares to choose his Dragon Warrior successor so that he can ascend to the role of spiritual leader. But he's not quite ready to give up his position yet, despite the insistence of his wise Master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) that it's time for him to move on to the next phase of his life .
Meanwhile, Po encounters a thieving fox named Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina) and confronts the Chameleon (voiced by Viola Davis), an evil shapeshifter who can inhabit the body of any being she desires, an extremely loose interpretation of the behavior of 'a chameleon. key traits. And he's called upon to save the day from the chameleon's reign of terror, while sending everyone away with a smile and a skadooshthe Jack Black-ism which, when spoken, gives Po additional special powers.
It's all delivered with a light touch by director Mike Mitchell (“Trolls”), though as the character double-crosses and monotonous fight sequences pile up in the film's second half, the zen-like qualities of the series are hardened. As a villain, the chameleon's powers to be anything ultimately reduce her to nothing, and as she plays characters from past “Kung Fu Panda” entries, the series feels like it's running out of new things to say or do.
Po is still a kind and lovable hero, and Black's spunky voice work and oversized personality give him the creative license to cover Britney Spears' “…Baby One More Time” over the end credits, you know, just because . But when it comes to “Kung Fu Panda,” baby, four times is more than enough. Master Shifu is right: it's time to move on.
agraham@detroitnews.com
“Kung Fu Panda 4”
GRADE: C+
Rated PG: for martial arts action/mild violence, frightening images, and some crude humor
Duration: 94 minutes
In theaters
