Movie · 2024 · Action, Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy · 1h 34m · PG · English
Curator score: 1.2/10 (528.3K ratings)
The “Dragon” returns.
Overview
Po is gearing up to become the spiritual leader of his Valley of Peace, but also needs someone to take his place as Dragon Warrior. As such, he will train a new kung fu practitioner for the spot and will encounter a villain called the Chameleon who conjures villains from the past.
Ratings
Curator score: 1.2/10
IMDb: 6.3/10
Letterboxd: 2.66/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
Metacritic: 54
TMDB: 7.0/10
Director
Mike Mitchell
Production
DreamWorks Animation
Cast
Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, Lori Tan Chinn, Seth Rogen, Jimmy Donaldson, James Murray, James Sie, Cedric Yarbrough, Vic Chao, Audrey Brooke, Lincoln Nakamura, Cece Valentina, April Hong
Where to watch
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A polished but noticeably thinner sequel: the animation is lively, Jack Black still carries the character, and there are enough jokes and action beats to keep younger viewers engaged. But the story feels overextended, the stakes are softer than the earlier films, and longtime fans are likely to miss the emotional weight and ensemble energy that made the franchise special.
Best for
families with younger kids
viewers who want easy, colorful animation
fans of the character more than the plot
casual franchise check-ins
Skip if
you want the strongest entry in the series
you expect big emotional payoff
you’re looking for inventive action choreography
you’re tired of legacy-sequel formula
Overview
Kung Fu Panda 4 is a competent, brightly animated continuation that mostly survives on charm. Po remains an easy character to like, and the film keeps moving fast enough that its weaknesses rarely become fatal in the moment. There are a few fun visual ideas and a villain concept with some playful potential, even if the movie doesn’t fully capitalize on them.
Worth noting
The bigger issue is that the franchise’s sense of scale and momentum has been reduced. The new mentor-and-successor setup is familiar, but the emotional beats land lightly and the action often feels less inspired than before. It’s the kind of sequel that is pleasant while you’re watching it, then fades quickly afterward.
Bottom line
For kids or viewers who just want another round of animated martial-arts comedy, it does the job. For anyone hoping for the same spark as the best chapters of the series, this one is more of a soft landing than a triumphant return.
Top Letterboxd reviews
max_radtke (2★) · 10006 likes
1 star for each gay dad
jonathan fujii (2★) · 6079 likes
Cool animation but it pains me to say that the end credits song is the best part of the movie
James (Schaffrillas) · 5768 likes
bullshit
Rendy Jones (2.5★) · 4873 likes
Tai lung’s villain entrance scene: breaks out of a heavily armed and guarded prison singlehandedly.
Lord Shen’s villain entrance scene: murders a kung fu master with a cannon
Kai’s villain entrance scene: steal oogways chi
Chameleon: pushes a dude down a flight of stairs.
If that’s not emblematic of the sheer downgrade to this quasi-kung fu movie. Idk what is.
zoë rose bryant (3★) · 4214 likes
dreamworks only bringing the furious five back for silent cameos during the end credits oh they’re just like me (broke as fuck)