--- title: "Kung Fu Panda 3: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-3/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-3" critics_score: 70 critics_reviews: 18 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016): what the critics said Critics' score 70 from 18 reviews: 10 positive, 8 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Kung Fu Panda 3 a cheerful, appealing sequel, with praise clustering around the animation rather than the story. The reviews repeatedly admire its inventive visual design, colourful settings and fluid fight choreography. Several also welcome the lighter humour and family warmth, while Jack Black’s vocal charm draws praise even from less persuaded critics. The more enthusiastic notices find Po’s story satisfying and the film’s appeal broad enough to include adults as well as children. Reservations centre on familiarity, thin drama and supporting characters left with too little to do. Some critics find the storytelling confident and well balanced; others see repetition or a middle section that needs tightening. Den of Geek offers a sharper dissent, finding the plot overcomplicated and the emotion lacking despite Black’s efforts. The spread runs from enthusiasm to mixed approval, with the visuals earning more consistent support than the writing. ## Empire — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 March 2016. Richards finds it a grand farewell and says it may be the series’ best entry. He praises the confident, cheerful storytelling, its steady laughs and gorgeous production design. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kung-fu-panda-3-review/) ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2016. Chang finds the third installment delightful, saying it restores the franchise’s lightness while bringing Po’s story to a satisfying finish. He especially praises its buoyant humor and visually adventurous animation. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/kung-fu-panda-3-review-1201680767/) ## IndieWire — Charles Solomon Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 January 2016. Solomon finds the film a satisfying conclusion to Po’s story and a welcome showcase for DreamWorks’ artists. He particularly praises the imaginative animation, visual design, and Chinese-painting-inspired backgrounds. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-kung-fu-panda-3-122414/) ## Los Angeles Times — Gary Goldstein Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 January 2016. Goldstein finds the sequel charming, funny and well-constructed, with plenty to please children and adults. He particularly praises the vivid animation and colorful settings, while noting that the pacing could be tighter in the middle. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-kung-fu-panda-review-20160129-story.html) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 11 March 2016. O’Sullivan finds the film sweet, savvy and emotionally warming, though not as strong as Toy Story’s conclusion. She especially praises its gorgeous, imaginative action sequences and female characters who avoid simpering. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/kung-fu-panda-3-film-review-the-bear-scores-another-knockout-a3201211.html) ## Slant Magazine — Sam C. Mac Rating 3/4. 25 January 2016. The review finds the film familiar but well balanced and charming. It praises the fluidly animated fight choreography and the way action is distributed throughout. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/kung-fu-panda-3/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Michael Rechtshaffen Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2016. The critic finds the film generally pleasing, though its storyline falls short dramatically. The luminous visuals and the voice cast are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/kung-fu-panda-3-film-856347/) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2016. The page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is inaccessible. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the available text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/kung-fu-panda-3-review/5098911.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2016. The supplied page is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. No praise or complaint can be reliably identified from the available text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/movies/bryan-cranston-jack-black-kung-fu-panda-3-review.html) ## Little White Lies — Joel Philpott Rating 3/3/3. 11 March 2016. The critic finds it decent, generic fun that follows the franchise’s established formula. They praise the precise, graceful animation of its energetic fight scenes. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/kung-fu-panda-3) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 3/5. Jones finds the third chapter affable but repetitive, with too many familiar characters sidelined. He praises its inventive, dazzling visuals. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-q1l36c/kung-fu-panda-3/) ## The Guardian — Alex Needham Rating 3/5. 10 March 2016. Needham finds the sequel impressive and likely to charm both children and adults. He praises its intimate family moments alongside its spectacular set pieces and sumptuous visuals. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/mar/10/kung-fu-panda-3-review) ## Time Out — Anna King Rating 3/5. 29 January 2016. The critic describes this as a lighter entry in the successful series. They praise its good looks. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/kung-fu-panda-3) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2016. Hammond calls it the best film in the franchise so far, praising its heart and broad family appeal. He singles out Jack Black’s vocal performance and Bryan Cranston’s dimensional turn as Po’s father. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2016/01/kung-fu-panda-3-review-sequel-jack-black-dreamworks-animation-1201692415/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2016. The critic finds the film charming and effervescent, though not groundbreaking. They single out its witty screenplay, colorful visuals, and satisfying reconciliation between Po’s fathers. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/kung-fu-panda-3-review-jack-black-bryan-cranston-angelina-jolie/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the sequel worthwhile and says it retains Po’s appealing underdog quality. They praise its vibrant visuals and atmosphere, but fault Kai for lacking menace. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/kung-fu-panda-3-review/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 2.5 out of 5. 29 January 2016. Kaye finds the film visually gorgeous but a rote, overcomplicated installment that lacks emotional resonance. He praises Jack Black’s charm and inventive line delivery, while noting that the supporting cast gets little to do. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/kung-fu-panda-3-review/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 4 March 2016. The critic finds the film sentimental and visually imaginative, but feels its star-studded vocal cast is given too little to say. The 3-D and slow-motion sequences are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/kung-fu-panda-3-2016-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-3.md