--- title: "Kung Fu Panda 4: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-4/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-4" critics_score: 55 critics_reviews: 16 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 4 (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 55 from 16 reviews: 4 positive, 6 mixed, 6 negative. Most critics find Kung Fu Panda 4 pleasant, colourful and slightly pointless. The reviews split almost evenly between mild approval, mild disappointment and outright boredom, so the spread is wide. The praise clusters on the voices: Jack Black’s Po is singled out again and again, and his double act with Awkwafina’s Zhen is what most reviewers enjoy. Viola Davis’s shape-shifting villain gets a kind word from several. The animation is generally called slick and energetic, if rarely more than that. The reservations cluster on the script and the heart. Reviewer after reviewer says the sweetness and sense of inner journey that marked the earlier films are gone, replaced by jokes and slapstick, and that the plot is rushed and overstuffed. The word unnecessary recurs. Deadline is the outlier, calling it fresh and vibrant; The Wrap and The Telegraph are the harshest, finding a generic product going through the motions. ## The Times Rating 4/5. 29 March 2024. Director Mike Mitchell freshens up the characters with a new sidekick and strong villain performance from Viola Davis. Po's witty lines and knockabout energy keep the cursory plot engaging despite its simplicity. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/kung-fu-panda-4-review-jack-black-and-viola-davis-are-a-killer-combo-wqtj7wbsd) ## The New York Times — Claire Shaffer Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 March 2024. The animated film melds wisecracking comedy and sprightly action sequences with a message of kindness and self-discovery. It is an enjoyable entry even if missing some of the pizazz of the earlier ones, with witty gags and a charming lead duo standing out. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/07/movies/kung-fu-panda-4-review.html) ## Radio Times — Mark Williams Rating 3/5. The fourth entry in the animated action franchise finds Po at the top of his game but forced to hand over his title while dealing with a shape-shifting new villain and returns from past characters. It is colourful and satisfying, filled with visual jokes and tongue-in-cheek one-liners. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-5j22sz/kung-fu-panda-4/) ## Slant Magazine — Justin Clark Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2024. The film is a good time that doesn’t betray the series’ strengths but exhibits signs of struggling to justify its existence. Comedy is favored over emotionality and thematic depth, with fights remaining stylish but heart more muted than before. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/kung-fu-panda-4-review-jack-black-awkwafina/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 28 March 2024. The film delivers energetic slapstick and fight scenes but lacks the franchise's signature sweetness and charm. The lead voices of Jack Black and Awkwafina form a strong double act, though the story feels overfussy and fails to fully engage its young audience. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/mar/28/kung-fu-panda-4-review-jack-black-and-awkwafina-in-hurricane-of-slapstick-more-miss-than-hit) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 7 March 2024. Though visually dazzling, the film shows a flabby franchise in need of punch as it coasts on elements that have worked before in a rushed and over-stuffed package. It is still a fun world to experience but virtues get short shrift and the dumpling is a little too light on the filling. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-03-07/kung-fu-panda-4-review-animation-jack-black-awkwafina-viola-davis) ## The AV Club — Courtney Howard Rating D+. 6 March 2024. The critic finds that Po’s return has lost much of its creative spark and fails to prove itself worthy of cinematic inclusion. Jokes outweigh sentiments on personal evolution while Black’s vocal performance provides the main boost. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/kung-fu-panda-4-movie-review-jack-black-1851312492) ## RogerEbert.com — Christy Lemire Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2024. The film struggles to justify its existence and lacks the delicate artistry and warm wit of its predecessors. It is geared mainly toward younger audiences in ways that are frequently silly and insubstantial, with rushed pacing and missing elements like the notion of inner peace. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/kung-fu-panda-4-2024) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2024. Martial arts master panda Po returns after an eight-year absence in a lacklustre sequel that is as colourful and energetic as its predecessors but lacks the sweet buoyancy that once made the franchise fun. There is little fresh about the character or world, resulting in a sporadically amusing animated action-comedy without much kick. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/kung-fu-panda-4-review/5191272.article) ## The Telegraph — Robbie Collin Rating 2/5. 28 March 2024. The latest instalment feels like going through the motions, wringing value from tired characters with uninspired adventure and pallid scripting. The animation is slick in places but overall unambitious compared to recent animated films. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/kung-fu-panda-4/) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2024. The fourth chapter has all the things it is supposed to have but lacks surprise and good jokes, with Po going through the motions. The comic punch and sense of journey are gone, and the action lacks the surreal freedom animation makes possible. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/kung-fu-panda-4-review-jack-black-awkwafina-bryan-cranston-1235930607/) ## Empire — Olly Richards 6 March 2024. The film is safe and fairly predictable but still a good time, offering reliable slick and pacy animated entertainment in the familiar style of the series. It works well as an action-buddy-comedy with sparky leads and big comedy set-pieces, though it is a step back in ambition from the previous entry. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kung-fu-panda-4/) ## IndieWire — Wilson Chapman 6 March 2024. The review describes it as a fun but largely unnecessary fourth outing in the wuxia-inspired animated franchise. Jack Black returns as the heaviest hero in a lightweight sequel. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/kung-fu-panda-4-review-jack-black-1234959791/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck 6 March 2024. The critic calls it a predictable but pleasant franchise entry where the moves are getting a bit rusty but there's still plenty of fun. Jack Black's hilarious vocal performance remains a highlight, well matched by Awkwafina. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/kung-fu-panda-4-review-jack-black-awkwafina-1235843267/) ## Total Film 6 March 2024. It is a sprightly sequel that never leaves its comfort zone, with Jack Black and Awkwafina as a fun pairing. The film is unsurprising but amiable overall. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/kung-fu-panda-4-review/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2024. The critic finds the film a winning sequel that keeps the franchise vibrant and fresh. Jack Black's energetic voice work as Po and the superb visuals and production values are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2024/03/kung-fu-panda-4-review-jack-black-back-lovable-dragon-warrior-dreamworks-sequel-1235845566/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating 7/10. 6 March 2024. The film proves there's still plenty of juice left in the series by shifting to a buddy dynamic between Po and Zhen while introducing a compelling new villain. It succeeds in trying something new for the franchise but has some pacing issues in the back half. [Read the review](https://collider.com/kung-fu-panda-4-review/) ## Paste — Jesse Hassenger Rating 6.5/10. 6 March 2024. The movie settles into formulaic mediocrity as a reliable but uninspired sequel that entertains children without much spark. It benefits from a change of setting and the Chameleon villain but feels canned compared to the earlier entries. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/jack-black/kung-fu-panda-4-movie-review) ## /Film — Ethan Anderton Rating 6/10. 6 March 2024. The critic finds the film entertaining with strong animation and action but criticizes it as an unnecessary sequel that treads water and sidelines the Furious Five. Praises the buddy-cop dynamic with Zhen and the action sequences. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1533424/kung-fu-panda-4-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2024. The critic finds the sequel disappointing and lacking the heart and humor of prior entries, feeling like a generic product. The familiar story execution and absence of emotional depth or visual distinction are singled out for complaint. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/kung-fu-panda-4-review/) --- © 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-4.md