‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ review: Cute, but it’s time to put this bear to bed
nypost.comafter 16 years and a quartet of films, where else is there for Po to go? “4,” while nice enough, suggests that the smartest move would be to let the fuzzy guy retire to a calming bamboo forest rather than embark on yet another predictable adventure.The decent animated film still boasts the formidable voice talent of Black, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong and Ian McShane.
Now they’re joined by Awkwafina, Viola Davis and Ke Huy Quan. Not too shabby.This go-round, Po is reveling in his mini celeb status — swanning around town, posing for (hand-drawn) pictures with fans and cutting the ribbon at the Dragon Warrior Noodle and Tofu restaurant.
But, Master Shifu (Hoffman) informs him, it’s time to move on. Po will instead transition into the less exciting role of Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace, a kind of supervisory desk job, and select a spry replacement Dragon Warrior to bask in glory.Po is none too pleased with this so-called promotion.But before he can make his choice of successor, the four-legged fighter is thrown back into action when a new foe, the Chameleon (Davis), arrives with a supernatural plot of world domination.
That lizard is dangerous because, as her species would suggest, she can take on the appearance of anyone around her. Needing help, Po is joined in his heroic journey to bustling Juniper City by a thieving fox sidekick named Zhen (Awkwafina).
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