'Kung Fu Panda 4' review: This franchise's winning streak continues

Since launching in 2008, the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise has been a continual gift for parents of the very young. The movies are no masterpieces, but they’re definitely smarter and funnier than the usual kiddie fare. Yet each new installment comes with some trepidation: Will this be the one that marks the start of the decline? After all, even the almighty Pixar — whose movies really have been masterpieces — has produced some clunkers of late. (Remember “Lightyear?”)

Good news: “Kung Fu Panda 4” continues the franchise’s winning streak. Switching up its cast of characters – out with some of the old, in with the new — Movie No. 4 manages to freshen up the series but stay true to its mission: to keep children entertained and parents awake.

The story: Our hero, the eternally adolescent panda Po (Jack Black), must give up his status as The Dragon Warrior and become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. (This according to the wise Master Shifu, a red panda once again voiced by a cranky Dustin Hoffman.) As we know, Po doesn’t really do spiritualism; he’s more of a kick-butt-and-eat-dinner type of guy. He’s almost glad to learn that there’s a new villain out there who needs vanquishing.

She is the Chameleon, a shape-shifting trickster with the voice of Viola Davis. At the moment she’s a crime boss in rough-and-tumble Jupiter City, but she has bigger plans: to steal the kung-fu skills of other legendary bad guys and become an unstoppable force. (If you spotted this as the same plot of the previous movie, you are either a professional critic or you really know your “Panda.”)

Po gets a new sidekick, Zhen, a wily fox voiced by Awkwafina, and she’s a welcome addition. Zhen’s street-smart cynicism contrasts with Po’s noble nature and makes for some nice bonding moments. Zhen’s screen time, however, means there’s no room for The Furious Five, Po’s usual backup crew – and to be honest, they aren’t missed. (Ask your kids if they can even name the five members.) The movie does find room for Po’s two dads, Li (Bryan Cranston) and Ping (James Hong), who get a little buddy-comedy material of their own.

Breezily directed by Mike Mitchell, “Kung Fu Panda 4” will probably sail right out of your head the minute you leave the theater, but that’s all right. The busy fight sequences, kid-friendly humor and adult-oriented wisecracks should keep the whole family entertained – and that’s a noble mission, indeed.

By Rafer Guzmán

rafer.guzman@newsday.com