Since its debut in 2008, DreamWorks’ kickass charmer Po, aka Kung Fu Panda, has racked up nearly $2 billion at the global box office over the course of three films, the most recent being eight years ago. A lot has changed in the world of animation in that time as well as in the life of Po, as witnessed by the storyline screenwriters have cooked up for this rich and energetic fourth entry into the franchise. Visually, this one tops them all, and pound for pound the whole movie from director Mike Mitchell, taking the helm of the KFP series for the first time, is another winner bound to add to the impressive legacy of this lovable Chinese bear.

Plotwise, Po (again voiced by the inimitable Jack Black) has been content to be a successful Dragon Warrior vanquishing villains and seemingly with no further ambition. However, when Kung Fu Master Shifa (Dustin Hoffman slyly returning to the role) commands him to become Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace succeeding Oogway, he also instructs Po to name his own replacement, something that fills him with angst. So too does the emergence of a new villain, perhaps the most imposing he has ever faced even if it is a tiny lizard known as The Chameleon (Viola Davis), who can shape-shift into some pretty frightening forms making this maniacal creature a real threat to deal with. Her goal is to secure Po’s Staff of Wisdom and return all the dead bad guys Po has put away in past films.

 

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