A review of Kung Fu Panda 4: Skadoosh!

“The fourth movie of the popular kids franchise by Dreamworks invites you to head back to the Valley of Peace and join Po the Panda, the legendary Dragon Warrior, in his next adventure.” Sounds appropriate, doesn’t it? And yes, while it does describe the action-packed, fast-paced animated feature that is Kung Fu Panda 4, that doesn’t really cover everything about it.

Jack Black is perfect as the eternal panda-cub, Po, protector of the Valley of Peace, and all-around crime-stopper and dumpling-devourer extraordinaire. His natural exuberance plays wonderfully into Po’s shield-like sense of wonder and awe at the world, as it always has.

Also just as perfectly cast is Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, the wise, no-nonsense teacher, who was once in line to be the Dragon Warrior himself, is now tasked with having to keep Po in line. Always the bride’s-maid and never the bride, he now has to make sure Po moves onto the next step of his journey, that of Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. Naturally Po isn’t fond of the idea of trading his butt-kicking for proverb making, but Shifu convinces him to look for a successor, the new Dragon Warrior.

Of course our adventure wouldn’t be much of an adventure without a villain to stop, and we are given a wonderfully fun and scheming bad girl with The Chameleon, a shape-shifting sorceress voiced by Viola Davis. Crafty, cruel and deliciously merciless, Davis surely had fun bringing the magical reptile to life.

Po finds some help on his journey to stop The Chameleon from a sly corsac fox named Zhen. Awkwafina lends her distinct voice to Zhen as she guides Po to places beyond the Valley of Peace to the Chameleon’s stronghold. The journey and showdown are energetic and filled with laughs and flying fists of fury, but they can also possibly be a bit much for younger kiddies.

The Kung Fu Panda series of films has always been a tad deceptive. They’re frenetic, colorful, and always eye-catching, and that often leads people to lose sight of their more substantial and meaningful side. Without us realizing it, Po, the eternal fanboy who can’t stop raving about his hero kung-fu masters, the kid who can’t stop stuffing himself with dumplings and noodle soup, the cuddly panda whose life-long rival is a set of stairs, grew up.

In the first movie, we see him called to be something greater than himself because someone sees something in him he doesn’t even see. In the second film, he attains inner peace as he accepts his new role, and the responsibilities that come with it (While having a bit of fun). In the third film, he becomes Grand Master, having mastered chi, and was gifted the Staff of Wisdom by Master Oogway himself. And now, finally, in the latest film, we see Po called to pass on what he knows to the next in line and take on even greater responsibility.

Little nuggets of wisdom and inspiration are all around the four films of the franchise, marking it as more than a fun, action-filled animated film for kids. There’s a model for growth and maturity that can be found under all the fur, fists, and fireworks kids can relate to. Yes, you have to grow, change, and take on responsibilities, and yes, you have to take them seriously. You may even have others depending on you. And yes, there is nothing wrong with having some fun along the way.