Kung Fu Panda 4, the fourth installment to the hit children’s movie series, hit theatres on March 8th to mostly positive reviews from critics but some negative reviews from past fans and audiences. The film, which includes Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, and Ian McShane reprising their roles from the previous movies and Awkawfina, Key Huy Quan, and Viola Davis joining the cast for the new installment, involves Po finding and training his successor as the new Dragon Warrior.
As of its 3rd week in theatres, Kung Fu Panda 4 has surpassed its predecessor, Kung Fu Panda 3, at the box office with a $153 million gross in the US, according to BoxOfficeMojo. The film debuted at $58 million, topping the box office opening weekend, and making it the highest opening weekend for a DreamWorks Animation film in 12 years, according to Cartoon Brew. Many critics praised the film, including praise of Black’s performance from Frank Scheck of the Hollywood Reporter and praise of the film’s art direction from Claire Shaffer of the New York Times.
However, despite mostly positive reviews from critics, the film’s release has sparked negative reviews online and from some other critics. The Boston Globes’ Odie Henderson expressed disappointment in the film’s villain, voiced by Viola Davis, with the Telegraph awarding the movie two out of five stars.
“I found the villain to be really boring,” said NECC Art and Design student Allison Palumbo. “Her personality and motivations were super cookie-cutter, therefore she didn’t really feel threatening at all. She also didn’t have any connections with any of the characters like the previous villains did, making it hard for the audience to believe she’s a convincing villian.”
Many users online who watched and discussed the movie also expressed their dislike for the lack of fan favorite characters “The Furious Five,” played respectively by Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogan, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, and David Cross. Oliver Ehrhardt of the Daily Cardinal expressed his disappointment in this by stating that the best part of the film was the end credit scene, in which the Furious Five make their only appearance in the film.
“The Furious Five’s dynamic with Po is super interesting and fun to watch, so it was very disappointing that they were not in it,” added Palumbo. “I don’t know why DreamWorks keeps putting Po with other characters, when there is already a good dynamic with the Furious Five.”
With the release of Kung Fu Panda 4, an online conversation has resurfaced regarding why Hollywood is desperate to create reboots, sequels, or revivals instead of creating new work. Many online users noted that most of the upcoming movies slated for 2024 are either remakes, reboots, sequels, or based on an existing market and brand name, claiming that the success of Kung Fu Panda 4 was due to the franchises previous movie’s success. Fans of the first 3 movies have pointed out that the 4th installment’s success was also due to DreamWorks bringing back the fan favorite villain “Tai Lung”, despite his defeat at the end of the first film.
“Movie makers just want more money,” said Haverhill resident Hannah Kiernan. “An easy way to do that is remaking something, so even if the work is not amazing, they are still getting money for work that is not good.”
Many people who have participated in this debate have also noted the importance of nostalgia, especially with the making of the newest Kung Fu Panda movie. The original Kung Fu Panda movie was released in 2008, making it 16 years old, with many of the audience of that movie coming back to watch the newest installment grown up.
“The general population, especially Gen Z, has a crazy bias for nostalgia,” said Haverhill resident Kaelyn Kellett. “The movie doesn’t even have to be good, but if it reminds people of a childlike wonder than the general population is down to see it.”
Kung Fu Panda 4 is playing in theatres now.
