By John Corrado

Jack Black returns as the voice of Po in this fourth instalment of DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda series, which began sixteen years ago now in 2008.

It’s easy to say that, by this belated fourth go around, the series is starting to show some wear, and Kung Fu Panda 4 does lack some of the spark of the earlier films. But it’s still a pretty enjoyable and amusing enough fourth adventure for the kung fu-fighting panda.

Po has now fully settled into his role as Dragon Warrior, enjoying his status has a local celebrity and all the perks (and dumplings) that come with it. But Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) keeps reminding him that the time has now come for him to select a successor to take over as the new Dragon Warrior, so he can assume his position as spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace.

But Po finds himself fighting a new adversary; The Chameleon (Viola Davis), a sorceress who can take the form of the franchise’s past villains, and wants to bring them back from the spirit realm. This is also more of a solo journey for Po without the Furious Five, who we are told are off on their own adventures as a way to explain their absence. Po is instead joined by Zhen (Awkwafina), a petty thief fox who agrees to help him track down the villainess in exchange for keeping her tail out of jail.

We are at the bring back former villains part of the series, and it’s easy to say that Kung Fu Panda 4 is trying to bank on nostalgia by copying elements from the previous films. The story is predictable to a fault, and doesn’t really do as much with these former villains as it could have, including Tai Lung (Ian McShane), who is probably still the best villain in the series. The film’s big showdown at the end also ends up feeling a bit rushed.

But Kung Fu Panda 4 still has enough elements to like for those who enjoyed the first three, balancing its cute moments with jokes about butt-kicking. Black – who fully owns the cuddly panda role by this point – and Awkwafina do appealing voice work together, and there is some fun interplay between Po and new character Zhen. The dynamic between Po’s two fathers, his adopted goose dad Mr. Ping (James Hong) and birth father Li (Bryan Cranston), is also endearing to watch.

There are some nicely animated action sequences, pushing the film’s stylized kung fu movie elements and Asian influences. It’s a decent sequel overall, and stay through the end credits to hear Jack Black’s Tenacious D cover of Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time.”

Film Rating: ★★½ (out of 4)

Kung Fu Panda 4 is now playing exclusively in theatres.