This 4th entry lacks the kung fu that elevated the franchise.

I really enjoyed the first three “Kung Fu Panda” films, because of the way they were able to broaden their horizons in Po’s journey of self discovery and wisdom, while having a versatile sense of humor and actors who are willing to commit to the colorful characters along the way. I really think we should get a few more sequels, but as long as they’re more open-minded and consistent as those films were. “Kung Fu Panda 4” lacks the punch of the first three films. 

Jack Black is back as the voice of Po the panda, also known as the Dragon Warrior. That is until Master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) tells him he must choose a successor and move up to the highest level of his journey. He feels so connected to where he is at, that at the ceremony after interviewing all the willing candidates, he chooses himself to be the next Dragon Warrior.

This happens to be the cheapest of the four films, with a budget of $85 million, which is probably way the story would sell itself short of the infinite possibilities within. I was mixed on the new villainess-the Chameleon (voiced by Viola Davis)-who covets Po’s staff to open up the spirit realm to steal the kung fu skills of the fallen heroes and villains, including the first movie’s villain Tai Lung (voiced by Ian McShane). Now, that’s a promising villain and it’s iconic to bring back the original’s villain, but the story holds back from her true potential.

Since the Furious Five are busy doing their own things, the new supporting character I did enjoy was the thieving fox Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina), because she’s cute and spunky with a fresh attitude. She has to join Po on his quest to stop the Chameleon, but we also have to deal with a den of thieves whom she was associated with, including the Sunda pangolin Han (voiced by Key Huy Quan), who all seem like a crasser version of the characters in “The Bad Guys” (which also featured Awkwafina’s voice) when they misinterpret a message about doing the right thing now, so they can do the wrong things later.

Black is also part of the rock band Tenacious D, and I remember at the “Kung Fu Panda 2” premiere when a group of guys were singing “We Are the D” until a security guard told them to stop, because it was a completely different event. The end credits feature their cover of Britney Spears’ “….Baby One More Time,” so now, it makes sense. And this cover has a nice kick to it.

You also have James Hong back as Po’s adoptive father Mr. Ping, and Bryan Cranston as his real dad Li Shan, who both must climb stairs at the edge of a mountain to save their son from certain doom. I think they both had a better subplot together in “Kung Fu Panda 3,” because their new adventure feels derivative from how they learned to connect with each other before.

Black is still entertaining as Po, and Awkwafina is charming as the fox. They both have chemistry, and I think they can work well together in the next entry. But this 4th movie relies on too many obvious gags and predictable plot elements to try to keep things rolling along. The villain also deserves a better and more complex story than what she is given here, and she’s voiced by a great actress like Davis.

There are some delightful aspects of “Kung Fu Panda 4,” but it still lacks the punch that permeated the franchise. It has to do a lot more than say “Ska-doosh.” Sorry about this, Po.