Kung Fu Panda 4
"Skadoosh isn't a word.” -Zhen
“Oh, and "Skablam" is?” -Po
It has been years since I have watched Kung Fu Panda, but I love me some Dreamworks animation. With that being said, this did not scratch my itch. With Dreamworks being known for being able to play to both kids and adults, the quote I chose really shows the humor this film went for. The once witty humor takes a backseat to slapstick gags and the story feels predictable. Now, the animation was as good as they all have been and they have a stellar cast of voice actors, so it wasn’t all bad. The biggest fall that it has is that the story seems run out with a lack of laughs. Due to that, this movie really doesn’t recapture the joy that the original hits. It’s trying to do what a lot of films are doing right now and leaning on nostalgia without its best qualities. The film tries to hit those notes while also adding a new character that seems like it will take over the franchise, but I don’t know if they are going to make itl. Sadly, I think the fox missed as it is more of an anti-hero story arc instead of Po’s likable fool story arc. If you golf, there is nothing more frustrating when you lay-up to be safe but still hit it out of bounds. You did what you’re supposed to do and got punished, and this is what happened here. Usually, the complaint is ‘do something different, I don’t want to watch the same thing,’ which they are doing here, and sadly it’s not for me. If you want to watch an animated film that is good for the family or play in the background, you got it! If you are wanting to watch an animated film that has depth and layers, try a different flick.
-J
