After 8 years, the box office reputation of “Kung Fu Panda 4” did not meet expectations, and the story was cliche and anticlimactic, according to a recent report by Tianjin Daily reporter Zhang Gang.
The highly anticipated release of “Kung Fu Panda 4” saw a disappointing box office performance in its first three days, reaching only 185 million yuan, with an online score of 6.6. Industry estimates project a total box office revenue of less than 300 million yuan, falling short of previous installments in the series.
Critics point to the film’s lack of innovation and clichéd plot as the main reasons for its underwhelming reception. While praised for its production quality and Chinese cultural elements, the storyline was deemed predictable and lacking in excitement.
The disparity in performance between “Kung Fu Panda 4” and its predecessor, “Kung Fu Panda 3,” is stark. The third installment achieved a box office success of 1 billion yuan and received a higher online rating of 7.8, maintaining the top spot on the mainland box office list for four consecutive weeks.
Despite its comedic moments and nods to Chinese heritage, “Kung Fu Panda 4” failed to capture the magic of its predecessors. The absence of key characters and a lackluster climax left audiences feeling unsatisfied, with many noting similarities to other animated films in certain scenes.
As China’s local animation industry continues to thrive with acclaimed releases such as “The Devil Boy of Nezha” and “The Deep Sea,” “Kung Fu Panda 4” struggles to stand out amongst its peers. With outdated storytelling and a focus on a younger demographic, the film falls short of recapturing the success of the beloved series.