Martial arts homage meets imaginative animated epic: The „Kung Fu Panda“ series is fast-paced and action-packed cinema for young and old. After a long hiatus from the big screen, it made a comeback this year – now there is part four in the WOW subscription.
In 16 years, the „Kung Fu Panda“ franchise has produced four feature films, five short films, three animated series, and a TV holiday special. In addition, there is a stage play and numerous video games. A long list that will undoubtedly continue to grow. With a worldwide box office gross of $549.2 million, „Kung Fu Panda 4“ is one of the biggest hits of the current cinema year! A well-deserved success, as the first big-screen adventure of the hungry, kind-hearted, and fighting panda Po after an eight-year (!) cinema break offers plenty of humor, breathtaking animations, and stylish action that appeals to fans of „real“ martial arts films as well as newcomers to the genre. „Kung Fu Panda 4“ is now available on the WOW subscription service:
You also have the option to get „Kung Fu Panda 4“ as VOD via Prime Video or in the classic DVD and Blu-ray formats. „Kung Fu Panda 4“: A reunion with an old(er) friend Even Dragon Warrior Po (voiced by Jack Black in the original version and Hape Kerkeling in the German version) cannot be the young, wild fighter for good forever, who keeps a clear head with his fresh approach: As his master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) reveals, it is time for Po to ensure his succession so that he can rise to the rank of a spiritual leader. This would give Po the title once held by the wise turtle master Oogway – but what does Po want with this honor? He enjoys strutting around as a Dragon Warrior too much! So he looks for excuses to postpone the decision, which only allows the dreaded chameleon (Viola Davis) to pursue a sinister plan unhindered. So, Po has no choice but to join forces with the thieving fox Zhen (Awkwafina) to put the chameleon in its place…
After 16 years, neither the world nor oneself is what it once was – this is something that not only Po realizes: It is a realization that should strike all fans who have been following „Kung Fu Panda“ from the beginning. So, it is the right moment for a „Kung Fu Panda“ installment that deals with the theme of succession and new career steps from the perspective of the main character – especially since the search for unexpected talents and surprising students is a fundamental narrative pillar of martial arts cinema. „Kung Fu Panda“ simply had to address this topic on the big screen! With a lot of character-focused humor and a variety of detailed, artistically animated, and creatively designed locations, this new chapter in Po’s life earned a solid 3.5 stars in the FILMSTARTS review. In particular, FILMSTARTS critic Stefan Geisler praised that „the father-father-son relationship now develops a completely unique dynamic“ – and the author of these lines can only agree: Po’s goose foster father Ping was always the highlight of the „Kung Fu Panda“ films for him, and seeing him harmoniously (yet chaotically) in action with Po’s biological father is simply delightful! This can even make up for the somewhat lackluster final fight… And if you now feel like adding the entire „Kung Fu Panda“ saga to your collection, you should follow the next link: New in home cinema: Over 6 hours of visually stunning fantasy martial arts action
This is a revised re-release of an article that was previously published on FILMSTARTS. *These links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links or subscribe, we may earn a commission. It does not affect the price.