THERE IS an old saying by a Greek philosopher that, "Change is the only permanent or constant thing in this world," a theme that was explored by DreamWorks' latest Kung Fu Panda film.
However upon watching the film, change wasn't just a central theme, as it was also a decision that the director and producers made for the latest installment.
For fans of the series, the mighty 'Furious Five' has been a primary staple that will forever remain, and the bond that they formed alongside the main character, Po (played by Jack Black), has indeed produced a lot of memorable moments.
So what happens when you remove them and replace them with a new character? Well here are the results.
Introducing Zhen
Kung Fu Panda 4's story narrates Po's hesitance to let go of his Dragon Warrior title, which explains the overall theme of the film.
In his journey to embrace change, he encounters a corsac fox thief name Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina). Zhen's introduction was enough to leave a strong impression as she nearly could've won and outwit the Dragon Warrior Po in a 1-v-1 fight.
After the battle, Po learned that a greater threat emerges as The Chameleon (played by Viola Davis) with shapeshifting abilities has terrorized a nearby mining area.
Fate has finally spoken as Po went on an adventure with Zhen, who managed to outsmart Master Shifu.
Overall, her introduction already makes her a welcome addition to the film as she instantly managed to catch our attention. From her kung fu maneuvers to her sneaky behavior, Zhen is a certified bada*s.
However it's not only her kung fu skills or her mischievous personality that made her stand out. As the film progresses, one gets a chance to learn more about her backstory, which ultimately makes her likeable and relatable.
Driven to survive, Zhen is a flawed character and she slowly shows her true colors as the film progresses. She was even fleshed out well courtesy of Awkwafina's voice acting.
Maintaining the formula for success
With the introduction of Zhen, Kung Fu Panda 4 may be taking the bold leap in fulfilling the film's central theme, however not everything would experience a drastic shift as DreamWorks still maintained the heart and soul of the Kung Fu Panda films.
The action sequences, the animation, and the humor have always been an integral factor for the series' success and the same can be said with the latest iteration.
Po's final battle and that runaway heist from The Chameleon's law enforcement team would further highlight the film's animations.
Then when it comes to bringing its share of laughter to the audience, almost all of the scenes would showcase the film's humor such as that time when Po rejected the Dragon Warrior candidates, or his interactions with Master Shifu at the beginning.
And beyond these factors, one should also take a magnifying glass at the film's villain. The likes of Tai Lung and Lord Shen have been heavily lauded by the community which begs the question on whether The Chameleon has managed to live up to their reputation.
The Chameleon
Shen is still in my opinion, the GOAT when it comes to Kung Fu Panda villains given his depth and contrast with the series' protagonist, but The Chameleon still manages to leave an impression to the viewer.
Like the villains in the Kung Fu Panda films, The Chameleon is likewise connected to the film's theme.
She likewise represents change, but in a horrific way, and when looking at her overall character, it can be noted that she does have the qualities of the previous Kung Fu Panda villains, from Tai Lung's determination, Lord Shen's cunning behavior, and General Kai's obsession with spirituality.
However looking deeply into her character, it can be argued that she lacks the physical qualities of Tai Lung, Lord Shen, and General Kai, which explains her motivations of stealing their abilities.
Overall she ended up contrasting Zhen who likewise started with nothing, and the contrast between the two characters have added more depth to the film.
-WARNING: SPOILERS-
Verdict
In the end, despite a major change in the series' progression, and the repeated formulas, Kung Fu Panda 4 still manages to live up to the reputation of the previous films.
It's still a fun family movie, with a lot of laughs, action-packed battles, and most importantly a lot of thoughtful lessons and insights to reflect on.
While it can be argued that the film can be cliche, given the predictability of Zhen's betrayal and her transition from thief turned hero and Dragon Warrior, the execution of the narrative was properly done.
It's definitely a film that is worth the watch for fans of the series and it might as well be a breath of fresh air that could leave the community excited on the franchise's future.
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