Po (Jack Black; School of Rock) is a Kung Fu-loving panda who was chosen to be the next Dragon Warrior. Over the next several years we watched as he battled terrible, villains, saved the Valley of Peace, and met his real father. However, his greatest challenge is yet to come when Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman; Rain Man) tells Po it is time to choose his successor.
Shocked, Po doesn't want to give up his role as the Red Dragon and when he hears that Tai Lung (Ian McShane; The John Wick Franchise) has returned from the spirit world, Po sees it as one last challenge he must face. Guided by a sly fox named Zhen (Awkwafina; Crazy Rich Asians), Po must go to Juniper City to fight the real villain named Chameleon (Viola Davis; Fences) But finds more than he bargained for once he arrives at Chameleon's fortress.
As with the previous three films, the cast comprises seasoned performers, many of whom reprise their roles. Led by the very talented Black, who has made the lovable Po his own over the past decade and a half, the cast is still at the top of their game. Also returning is Hoffman as Po's mentor who delivers each line dripping with sweet sarcasm. Joining them are Awkwafina and Davis. Both are perfectly cast as the former offers a sweetness in her tone that belies a sharp edge underneath and the latter's deep resonance makes her the sound ever as much the villain.
DreamWorks animation always does an incredible job with graphics, and Kung Fu Panda 4 is no exception. Po's fur moves beautifully with each strike he makes and the Chameleon's scales are individually unique. Of course, the Dolby Vision with 2160p resolution showcases the animation perfectly. The details are sharp and the colors pop. The variation of hues are displayed well offering the picture depth with layers on top of layers of colors. The result is striking and effective.
The Dolby Atmos audio is very good as well with, once again, layer upon layer of sound, which creates a fully immersive experience. From the crowded streets of Juniper City to the quiet moments under the meditation tree where there is only a subtle hint of sound, the quality is evident throughout. The dialogue comes through clean and sounds crisp as well.
The combo pack includes the 4K, Blu-ray, and digital download. There are also over an hour of extras including a special, exclusive short. The extras are Dueling Dumplings' Exclusive Short with intro by Jack Black and Awkwafina, Deleted Scenes, Kung Fu Talking, Meet the Cast (Po, Zhen, The Chameleon, and The Dads), Kung Fu Panda 4 All!, Mastering the Dumpling, How to Draw (Po, Zhen, The Chameleon, and The Bad Bunnies), Shadow Puppet Theater, and Feature Commentary from the Filmmakers. Of the extras, The exclusive short is the best. It is cute and fun and just a great idea.
The biggest problem with Kung Fu Panda 4 is the recycled feeling of the plot. Throughout the 94-minute run time, one can't help but feel as if they have seen it all before. From Po's dilemma to the villain that needs to be stopped, Shifu's constant disapproval of Po's intentions, and Po's fathers trying to intervene with comedic results. Unfortunately, the humor often falls flat. From a child's standpoint, the best of the new characters are the three cute bunnies with a vicious side.
For the younger set, Kung Fu Panda 4 has a cute, fun hero on an adventure to beat the bad guy and a happy ending. With the high quality of the video and audio and many fun, family extras included, this combo pack is a worthwhile purchase for those with young ones at home.
Grade: B-
