Film: Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)

Thoughts: Admittedly I started to nod in the last act, though I don't think I missed too much. With the Furious Five receiving only an opening and closing nod, Kung Fu Panda 4 pares down the cast and ups the couples relationships, exploring notions of holding onto the past, and accepting where power truly lies- the connections with others.

Kung Fu Panda 4 sees Po and co going about their daily lives in the valley: cooking, eating, protecting. Master Shifu throws the inevitable spanner into the works, advising Po that the time has come to relinquish the Dragon Warrior mantle to a successor. Enter the fox Zhen, quick-witted thief of Juniper City, and the pair must trek to bring down an evil shape-shifting chameleon terrorising the city.

Tai Lung makes a welcome return in various guises, personal favourite of mine, with Ian McShane returning for voice duties. Honestly there's not much to say, as I found the film overall an enjoyable experience, but muted in comparison with 1 and 2.

6/10