Similar to Toy Story 4, Kung Fu Panda 4 (KFP4) is a movie almost nobody asked for. Coming off the coattails of Kung Fu Panda 3, a great finish to Po’s character arc and one of the best animated trilogies of all time, KFP4 had a lot to live up to. Because of this, it is with a heavy heart that I say KFP4 is the definition of mediocre.

By all means, this does not mean KFP4 was an unenjoyable movie. All the fights were amazing, especially the final fight with Po and the Chameleon. The animation was great, the score by Hans Zimmer was exquisite, and Jack Black and the other voice actors had great performances. However, the writing was where the movie truly disappoints compared to its predecessors. The original movies were great in exploring themes such as family, forgiveness, and finding yourself through the character of Po and his relationships. However, as the movie moves away from Po and towards a new character, the writing feels more shallow and forced. Additionally, the villains of the original movies felt menacing and had clear motivations, while the Chameleon, the new villain of KFP4, pales in comparison. 

KFP4 is a perfectly fine movie, and most definitely in the upper threshold of DreamWorks quality. However, it’s hard not to be disappointed considering Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, an amazing DreamWorks movie, came out only a year earlier. If you’re a fan of Jack Black or the Kung Fu Panda franchise, the movie is definitely worth a watch, but if you’re looking for a movie with meaningful writing and characters, skip Kung Fu Panda 4.