By Bayler Ruth

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Have you ever been so comfortable with something you are doing that you are no longer willing to take a risk for change? In the first Kung Fu Panda (2008), Master Oogway (voiced by Randall Duk Kim) designated Po (Jack Black) the Dragon Warrior, which means Oogway believes Po can read the secrets behind the dragon scroll. When reading this scroll, the warrior would be granted limitless power and would master the highest level of kung fu.

The Kung Fu Panda franchise now comprises four films. The second film, 2011’s Kung Fu Panda 2, takes on Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), who uses fireworks to try to wipe out all martial arts and take over all of China. In the third film, 2016’s Kung Fu Panda 3, Po is reunited with his father, whom he has never met. Li Shan (Bryan Cranston) brings Po to the village where he was raised. Po and his family separated because Lord Shen invaded his town to kill all living pandas. 

In Kung Fu Panda 4, released this March, Po is tasked with assigning a new dragon warrior to protect the Valley of Peace. Po would have the opportunity to become the Spiritual Leader, which means he would train the new Dragon Warrior and provide wisdom around the kingdom. However, when Master Shifu asks Po to pick a new Dragon Warrior, Po realizes he is not ready for a change and continues to delay his decision. My younger brother Parker Ruth (’27) explained that his favorite part in the movie “was when Po was about to pick the new Dragon Warrior, and he pointed at all the contestants and chose himself.”

On Easter Sunday night, my brother Scotty Ruth (’22) suggested we see a movie. We quickly looked at all the theater options and chose the 8:45 p.m. showing of Kung Fu Panda 4 at Regal Short Pump. We walked into Regal and promptly went to the snack bar to get a large bucket of popcorn. When my cousin Maddie Jewett (’25), Parker, Scotty, and I entered the theater, there was not a single other person there, which meant we could yell when an exciting scene appeared or laugh as loud as we wanted to without disturbing anyone.

In this franchise installment, Po has to face the Chameleon (Viola Davis), a shapeshifter. Throughout the film, the Chameleon changes what she looks like to trick people into thinking she is someone she is not. While Po and Zhen start thinking of a plan to take down the Chameleon, she has already begun her evil plan: to bring back every villain trapped in the spirit realm and use Po’s staff to take all their kung fu power. Po, Zhen, and several other villains from Zhen’s family attacked Chameleon’s empire to end her power. However, when fighting the Chameleon, Po realizes the Chameleon has too much power, leaving him no choice but to hand over the staff of wisdom to Zhen, who uses it to take down the Chameleon. After all the fighting, Po returns all the kung fu to the villains and sends them back to the spirit realm.

Po saw something special in Zhen and honored her as the new Dragon Warrior. Although this was a difficult decision for Po, he knew he made the right choice by choosing her. Scotty related Po’s choice to his own life, as he explained, “I didn’t want to leave Richmond, as it was the only place I have ever grown up, but then I ended up going to the University of Georgia, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.” 

I’d rate this movie a 7/10 overall. It effectively bridges the story from the previous Kung Fu Panda films to the fourth installment by bringing back every villain from the earlier films, something the others hadn’t quite achieved. Despite criticisms on IMDb suggesting the movie was only a cash grab, it impressed me by weaving the narrative together. In IMDb’s review section, Kevin Robbins noted that the absence of the Furious Five was conspicuous, and the subplot involving the two fathers was decent but could have been more exceptional. I found it interesting that the filmmakers did not put the Furious Five in, because they have been in every other Kung Fu Panda movie. I also agreed with Robbins’s review about how the film seems like a cash grab. The main reason why I thought this was all for the money was because I had previously seen the other three films and felt forced to see the fourth.

Since its release on March 8, Kung Fu Panda 4 has made over $484.6 million, and the franchise has made over $2.2 billion globally. While I initially perceived the film as solely profit-driven, it delivered some intense moments. One such instance is the Chameleon’s remarkable ability to mimic others, creating suspense as you question the characters’ true identity and intentions. Black also continues to do an outstanding job as Po. Black’s character brings comedy to Po’s actions, as he can easily change the tone throughout the film. Ultimately, I recommend this movie to someone who has seen and understood the first three films. 

All photos by Bayler Ruth.