Finally the big moment has arrived, the moment when the greatest warrior the world has ever seen is back and now faces a challenge he has never encountered before. Here is the review of Kung Fu Panda 4!
It's been 8 years since we last saw our favorite panda at the cinema, Kung Fu Panda 3 dates back to 2016. A film that satisfied both critics and audiences and which also seemed like a good ending for the saga, but the story decided to continue and still has a lot to tell. We waited with a lot of curiosity and at the same time also a little fear, in the hope that it would be the fourth chapter at the height of the previous chapters. They teased us a lot with images and posters of the film, which showed us the new characters and old acquaintances to whom we are attached. Let's find out if Kung Fu Panda 4 is a film worthy of the title it bears!
The next step | Kung Fu Panda 4 Review: Return of the Dragon Warrior!
The film starts immediately with the assumption that Po must find his successor. There is an even higher level of the Dragon Warrior, this time Po must become what he never thought he would be, the Spiritual Guide of the Valley of Peace. Simply put, he must become what the late was Maestro Oogway before him. A very difficult step, given that Po of wisdom he knows nothing about it. Indeed, knowing him, he is much more inclined to solve problems with blows and devouring ravioli. A very interesting incipit, given that this goes against the nature of the character. The curiosity lies precisely in how Po will ever be able to achieve the wisdom of master Oogway.
However, everything always flows with the classic lightness, spontaneity and comedy that has always characterized our beloved panda, with comic gags that always manage to raise a smile. Po remains a clumsy, adorable panda, but at the same time more aware of his abilities. In short, he is the usual Po that we have come to know and love, but much more evolved and with much more experience behind him. Compared to the first three films, here we see a little much more confidentmore guarded and, believe it or not, also more inclined to reason instead of diving in headfirst. A great thing, given that in the film there are no Furious Fiveunfortunately a lack that is felt, but not much.
Black magic | Kung Fu Panda 4 Review: Return of the Dragon Warrior!
For the first time in his life, this time Po finds himself facing an opponent he has never fought before: a shape-shifting sorceress. Not ironically, this shapeshifting sorceress is known as the Chameleon. This villain is certainly no match for Tai Lung or Lord Shen, but the fact remains is respected. The Chameleon is a sorceress capable of changing her appearance at will, taking that of many Kung Fu masters, including Tai Lung. This character also makes his return in the film and, fortunately, he isn't just used to make the Chameleon stronger, they handled his return very well. But returning to the Chameleon, her goal is to take hold of the staff of wisdom given to Po by Master Oogway.
Thanks to this stick, Chameleon can master the Kung Fu of every master in the Spirit realmto become even more powerful and finally become what she wanted to be since she was a child: one maestra in Kung Fu. Although she has established her empire with some followers, the fact remains that Chameleon was never a master of Kung Fu, which is why she dedicated herself to magic. This makes the opponent something that Po has never fought before, another great challenge that puts the Dragon Warrior in serious difficulty. But not in combat, but throughdeceit. Chameleon is a very character manipulator and able to cloud the opponent's mind not only by changing her appearance, but by pushing her followers to act for her, always leading them to deceive Po. Her shape-shifting power also brings back old characters, who unfortunately are spoofs.
The Legacy of the Dragon Warrior | Kung Fu Panda 4 Review: Return of the Dragon Warrior!
Now we come to what, in our opinion, is the strongest point of the film, namely the relationship between Po and Zhen. Zhen is a young thieving fox who has lived following wrong ideals all her life, focusing only on her survival and don't trust anyone. But at the same time the fox is very talkative, clever, cunning and able to fool anyone and always come out of any dangerous situation clean. Zhen grew up on the streets and learned to survive on her own, relying only on herself, but his life changes when he meets Po.
The fox turns out to be fundamental in helping our mythical hero stop the Chameleon, who is increasingly enlarging his power and his empire thanks to his magic. The relationship between the two is initially complicated, with her being a petty thief and Po being China's greatest hero. Some very funny gags are created between master and pupil, which demonstrate how much Po has matured, now dealing with a young girl to train. In fact, Po must choose his successor and, as anticipated, Zhen will be his student. Things get very complicated, but at the same time the two create a friendship very affectionate, with Po acting as her mentor and protector, while Zhen turns out to be the most important asset she has to defeat the Chameleon and save China. The two together alone carry the entire film.
The beginning of a new journey
As the director of the film Mike Mitchell had anticipated, Kung Fu Panda 4 it's not the end of the story. Indeed, without giving spoilers, we tell you that this is only thestart of a new journey, which will see Po struggling with the training of his student Zhen. A very interesting story, in which we will most likely always see our beloved Panda as protagonists together with the friendly and shrewd fox, who will have to take Po's legacy and become the new Dragon Warrior. We'll see what happens, but in the meantime we can say for sure that the story doesn't end here, especially the success that the film is experiencing.
Are you going to see the film? If you've already seen it, did you like it? Tell us what you think in the comments! Continue to follow us on TechGameWorld.com for other reviews and news from the world of cinema and much more!
Points in favor
- Great maturation of the main protagonist Po
- Zhen is a character that works and has a very interesting story
- The relationship between Po and Zhen is the strongest point of the film
- The plot is simple and linear
- Tai Lung's return is a joy for fans
Points against
- Historical characters reduced to sketches (with the exception of Tai Lung)
- The five cyclones are absent
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