With a painfully lackluster plot and comedic relief that fell short, I found Kung Fu Panda 4, the latest in a franchise known for its humor and warm feels, to be an unexpected failure.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is rife with problems. Nothing about this movie was new or original, and it felt immensely predictable. Not only that, but it was also written awkwardly and full of plot holes. Po, the much beloved comedic relief and main character of the series, showed little to no change throughout the movie, despite the themes of growth and change mentioned by the characters. Although Po constantly spoke to Zhen, his companion in the quest to stop the Chameleon from stealing the Kung-Fu from masters all around China about growing and changing to become a good candidate for Dragon Warrior, Po himself barely demonstrated any of the development he so adamantly supported. The supposed challenges he faces, such as being tricked by the wicked villainess, the Chameleon, barely change him.
Although both Zhen, the second main character, and the Chameleon, the reptilian villainess, often talk about Po’s overly trusting nature, calling him an “easy mark,” Po doesn’t learn to avoid others’ trickery or become less trusting, which would’ve added an interesting element to the movie. The message from his encounters–to not trust others too willingly–are forgotten throughout the movie. The film would have been significantly more interesting if the writers had elaborated on this message instead of hitting and running.
In this film, Po’s naïvety, intended to be charming, felt annoying and disappointing. In previous movies, Po learned to be a better warrior, panda, and friend, having been taught by both his enemies and his teachers, but in this movie, he doesn’t learn or grow in any way–from neither his teachers nor his enemies.
The plot itself is predictable–naming Zhen the new Dragon Warrior was expected. However, I barely saw any of the growth that was a theme in the franchise throughout the movie. Zhen does not become a better person, despite Po’s attempts to help her. Instead, when given the opportunity to redeem herself, she still goes down the wrong route. Throughout the movie, she mocked him for his perceived “weakness” and betrayed him by stealing his staff, giving it to the Chameleon, when he was at his most vulnerable moment, Even then, Po still forgives her, which makes no sense.
After Zhen decided to help Po, it felt as if she didn’t really improve. Instead, she simply felt the burn of the manipulation caused by the Chameleon, someone whom she believed loved her. Her “growth” felt more like a fear-induced self correction, or simply resentment towards the Chameleon. Had the plot shown Zhen’s actual change of heart instead of her guilty conscience, the movie would have been significantly more enjoyable. This transition from an entitled brat to a Dragon Warrior is barely there, much less written.
Foreshadowing Zhen’s betrayal by showing her conflicting emotions would have been much more effective in conveying her growth, or at least showing that Zhen herself is not entirely irredeemable. Perhaps the only point throughout the movie that Zhen actually proves herself is in the rallying of the criminals, but this mere feat should not be sufficient to make her Dragon Warrior.
The villainess and Zhen’s mentor, the Chameleon, was incredibly flat and lazily written. There’s no proper backstory for her, other than her insecurity about her height. She is constantly told that no trainer would accept her, despite many other Kung Fu masters who are smaller than her presenting themselves throughout the movie, particularly Mantis and Viper, and even Master Shifu himself. There’s no reason for her to want to take over the world, making her one of the most two-dimensional, boring, and dully written villains I’ve ever watched.
Overall, I found Kung Fu Panda 4 disappointing. Although the previous movies were overwhelming successes, this movie struggled to make a memorable impression. Its plot was terribly dry and its characters, particularly the two main characters, were unremarkable and two-dimensional. I expected more from a franchise so cherished by many.