Sixteen years after the original, the Kung Fu Panda universe continues to expand in the fourth installment. It feels like reuniting with the best of your childhood for another destructive adventure.

Kung Fu Panda has solidified itself as Dreamwork’s most consistent franchise as a branch between the old guard of Shrek and the new era of Trolls. The Dreamworks classics are always burdened with overcoming the hype of the good days, but as we have seen with Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, these characters are in demand from audiences in their ability to treasure the nostalgia mixed with revitalized animation styles. It speaks loudly that save for the Furious Five, most of its voice actors come back each time. Kung Fu Panda 4 certainly follows its formula with a bit of an update that doesn’t take too big of a risk in its comeback.

Every film follows the growth of Po into his role as the Dragon Warrior, but his recent outing tasks him with something even harder: dealing with change. From location to teammates, Po is placed in a new atmosphere to take on the culmination of all his past villains in the sorceress, The Chameleon. There is a repetition of how these films work, but its pull is watching how the comedic panda will find his way out of a situation he caused himself. Something really special noted by the filmmakers is how a lot of the artists in this installment grew up watching films, and their love of this world is felt through not only the animation style but the playful nature of the story holding onto all the trademarks of mouth-watering cuisine and light comedy that make this franchise what it is. What makes these movies so fun to watch is the physical comedy within their action sequences, not focused on perfection but instead on the personality of these animals and how they move. It has been the defining point of Po’s charisma.

Capitalizing on a hidden meaning beneath the fun, Kung Fu Panda has always been about an unlikely hero in a space they are not normally welcome in. The latest villain, the Chameleon, shares a backstory of never being accepted into the world of kung fu, leading her to steal the talent instead of developing it naturally. Po is the Dragon Warrior because of the passion he brings to the art even though he is not the most traditional-looking Warrior in comparison to all his past enemies. He is always doubted but it is his love that allows him to rise to the occasion and defeat evil. It is all about the shadows and without it, what is kung fu? Put that in comparison to The Chameleon with the delicious voice performance of Viola Davis, so desperate to become the leader in an area that has rejected her. She cheats her way into it and although she might possess the strength and skills, she is defeated by the one thing she lacks: passion. Her symbolism of mimicry communicates to its young audiences that cheating your way through is never the answer and to be a Po, not a Chameleon. It sets up Po to defeat the one thing he is resisting, change. Seeing how Puss In Boots brought anxiety to life with the wolf, there is a similar style here taking adult concepts and disguising them as larger-than-life villains.

Po’s new chapter in life to embrace change also mirrors the life cycle of a franchise film. In the beginning, he is an idol to the village using his image to open up a new restaurant and walks around with humble pride. In real life, Kung Fu Panda has inspired theme park expansions, TV spinoffs, food, and so much more over the years that can certainly lead to burnout from its audience. Now it is time for Po to pass on his title to the younger generation and come to terms that his time in the spotlight is running his course. Seeing the Furious Five missing in action is sad, but introducing Jack Black’s real-life friend, Awkwafina, to lend her unique voice to Zhen, a mischievous fox distracts from what could have been. Zhen offers a learning opportunity for both Po and the audience, exposing the fans to Juniper City within this universe and how it extends past Po. A new bustling city juxtaposed with the small town village of Po’s home adds to the excitement to come ahead. Electrifying buildings placed on top of one another with adventure always around the corner. The Kung Fu Panda universe may revolve around Po, but there is so much more at stake to be left to explore. It can be valid that the series has run its course in the original confinements it set for itself. The new inclusion of what is beyond the Valley of Peace strikes opportunities to continue its story with new characters, villains, and adventures while allowing the artists behind the story to continue to push the boundaries of animation for the beloved iconography.

Kung Fu Panda 4 is smart in its approach to growing with its original audience, presenting them with a wiser Po to match the 20-somethings who were children when they first met. Jack Black and company put one an exemplary show on the true distinction between voice actors and actors that so many recent animated films have gotten wrong. Just by his voice, he has matured the youthful Panda into his next chapter of accepting peace and passing down his title to the younger generations of Zhen.

Grade: B

Oscar Prospects:
Likely: Best Animated Feature
Should Be Considered: Best Animated Feature

Where to Watch: In Theaters