Bar one or two exceptions – Toy Story 4 for example – this had no right to ‘kick butt’ as well as it does.
A lot of historical animation franchises end up being the ‘law of diminishing returns’ – but this fourth instalment in the popular Dreamworks’ series is surprisingly fresh, despite an eight-year hiatus.
As Jack Black’s giant ass-kicking panda Po is set to become spiritual leader – a title given to him by his wise red panda Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) – he must look for his new Dragon Warrior successor.
But when the villain of the piece – Viola Davis’ nefarious shape-shifting chameleon sorceress – throws a spanner in the works, he must team up with corsac fox thief Zhen (a new character played by Awkwafina) to try and take her down.
And with plenty of humorous interludes and engaging sequences, this proves to be a cut above the animated sequel ‘norm’.
This is enjoyable stuff, and the target demographic – my son absolutely loved it – will undoubtedly eat this up.
Rating: 3.5/5 Gavin Miller
Rating: 4.8/5 Joshua Miller (Gavin’s ten-year-old son)
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane & Ke Huy Quan
Director: Mike Mitchell
Go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux