Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG)

The cuddly kung fu master returns to the fray.

Through Master Shifu’s guidance, Po is encouraged to find a suitable successor and teach a new dragon warrior in order to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. But when the Chameleon (Viola Davis), ruler of a faraway city, decides to steal skills from foes in the spirit realm, fate forces Po’s paws back into action. When Zhen (Awkwafina), a streetwise thieving fox, says she knows how to get into the Chameleon’s palace, Po teams up with her to foil the slippery villain’s plans.

There are laughs aplenty from a cast of characters old and new. As can be expected, the voice talent is top notch. The two leads make a brilliant double act: Black still perfectly at home in Po’s fur, Awkwafina terrific as the cynical wisecracking Zhen. And if you want to hear any celebrity voice of significance deliver a litany of villain monologues, Viola Davis is your leading candidate.

Kung Fu Panda is low-key one of the better animated franchises out there. And while this latest outing may not quite reach the lofty heights of the original, this panda still has a few kicks.