'Kung Fu Panda 4' lacks innovation.

The plot of "Kung Fu Panda 4" follows a predictable pattern, offering few surprises compared to previous films.

*This article contains spoilers for the movie.

Trailer for 'Kung Fu Panda 4'

Trailer "Kung Fu Panda 4". Video : CGV

Directed by Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Ma Stine, this film marks the return of Po the panda (voiced by Jack Black) – now a Dragon Warrior with unparalleled power. After defeating villains three times in the previous installment, Po is nominated to be the leader of the Valley of Peace. He needs to find and train others to become Dragon Warriors before taking on his new role.

One day, the sorceress Chameleon (Viola Davis) appears, threatening the peace of humanity. While tracking the villain, Po encounters Zhen (Awkwafina), a fox wanted for theft. Zhen promises to help Po catch the criminal if they team up. Po and Zhen must convince many other criminals to cooperate in fighting to defeat Chameleon.

The film has a predictable plot and simplistic situations. It follows a familiar pattern, tracing the protagonist's journey to fight evil and protect peace. Initially, the screenwriter portrays the villain Chameleon as a powerful enemy capable of copying anyone. The chameleon's plot is to steal the fighting secrets of Po's past opponents, thereby defeating the protagonist. Despite portraying the villain as cunning and manipulative, the filmmakers handle the fight scene at the end quickly, with Po easily defeating his enemy.

The absence of the Five Heroes – Po's companions – also leaves the film with little lasting impact. The characters embark on their own adventures, leaving only Po the bear and his new friend, Zhen the fox, to accompany him on his journey to find Chameleon. Furthermore, the process of Po's father, Ping the goose (voiced by James Hong), and Li Shan the panda – Po's father (voiced by Bryan Cranston) – searching for their son makes the film's plot rambling and doesn't contribute much to the main storyline.

Many characters from the previous three films appear in a few scenes, not showcasing their powers but serving only to enhance Po's abilities. Several new villains appear in the film, playing a role in opening up new storylines in the fifth installment.

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The design of the villain Chameleon in "Kung Fu Panda 4". Photo: DreamWorks Animation

Despite its superficial plot, the film leaves a lasting impression with its graphic design and color scheme. The Chameleon's dwelling place and the paths Po and Zhen travel are adorned with houses featuring ancient Chinese architecture. In the scenes depicting the creatures' lives underground, the artists create a dark atmosphere with numerous interconnected tunnels.

In the fight scene between Po's group and the Pig Queens (voiced by Lori Tan Chinn) at the restaurant, many martial arts sequences are beautifully designed by the special effects artists, with smooth motion effects. The setting of the Pig Queens' restaurant on a rocky outcrop adds tension to the fight scenes, as the building tilts and could collapse at any moment.

Besides Po the panda, other characters contribute to the film's humor, such as the three small but violent rabbits, Captain Fish (Ronny Chieng), an alcoholic living in the mouth of a pelican. Po's two fathers have many arguments but always help each other while searching for their son.

The animation effects in "Kung Fu Panda 4" maintain the same quality as the previous three films. Photo: DreamWorks Animation

Domestically, the film grossed over 54 billion VND in three days (March 8-10), becoming the highest-grossing animated film on its opening weekend at the Vietnamese box office. Currently, the film has reached over 95 billion VND and has the potential to reach 100 billion VND in its third week in theaters, according to Box Office Vietnam .

On VnExpress , many viewers felt the film wasn't as engaging as previous installments. Some opinions suggested the film's high box office success was due to high expectations and the fact that previous Po the panda films were global box office hits. Reader Hong Tram commented that she disliked the dubbed version because it contained many trendy words that didn't sound natural.

International critics rated the film as moderately good, achieving a 70% "freshness" rating on Rotten Tomatoes . ScreenRant noted some superfluous details, particularly the scene where father goose Ping and Ly Son set out to find their child, which did not contribute to character development. Variety felt the script was inferior to previous installments, noting that Jack Black's voice acting lacked enthusiasm and energy, and the comedic elements were ineffective.

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A scene from "Kung Fu Panda 4". Photo: DreamWorks Animation

Kung Fu Panda, first released in 2008, immediately became a sensation with its humorous adventures and martial arts sequences featuring the panda character Po. The film grossed $631.7 million and received numerous nominations and awards. In 2011, the sequel continued its success with $665.7 million, according to Box Office Mojo . Both of the first films in the series were nominated for an Oscar in the Best Animated Feature category, with a total global revenue of approximately $1.3 billion.

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