Kung Fu Panda 3

A singular look, an exemplary vocal cast, and a narrative arc like a caress. That'll be the Kung Fu Panda franchise's legacy, the idea that shouldn't have worked but did, beautifully and with its own chi.

All the best parts of the movie are transitions and montages, jazzing up the video-game-ish plot with mock-heroic exuberance. The summer ahead is looking madly stuffed with talking animals, but Po has jammed his bulging frame through first, and done it with style.

It’s cohesive and cathartic enough to make a fourth entry unnecessary, but at the same time, it’s entertaining and gorgeous enough to make the prospect of same something to welcome.

It finds a benefit in its genre affiliation, evenly distributing its action in quick bursts of fluidly animated fight choreography.

The movie's story and cute characters are geared toward the younger crowd, per usual. But while it lacks the wonder and nuance of earlier Pandas, there are enough new faces and wowing, Asian-influenced style to also keep parents amused for an hour and a half.

Plays as a franchise out of ideas, out of jokes and more naked about its real place in the film firmament –as panda pandering to the enormous Chinese movie market.

Once upon a time, Black's charisma might have been enough to carry the movie.

THE BEST film, BEST start, BEST end, BEST FIGHT SCENES, BEST VILLAIN, BEST MUSIC

The Kung Fu Panda saga grows in animation quality with the third installment, but sadly, that’s about it. I wanted to like it more than I did, but 3 is a little too cheesy, cliché, predictable, and makes too little sense to be as good as the first two. The story is weaker, and some of the humor is off. The villain, Kai, is okay, but has neither the energy of Tai Lung nor the creepiness of Shen that made them such great characters. Kung Fu Panda 3 isn’t a terrible movie, but it was a little disappointing.

Great animation. Jack Black really brings Po to life, and Bryan Cranston as Li. Hilarious at points and great voice acting. Interesting story, but it is a bit generic. That doesn't takeaway the fact that it's still a great film.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Worse than its two predecessors in almost every way. The music is the same, so it didn't really lose anything there. The villain has no personality or motivation. Deus Ex Machina as far as the eye can see. I bet the producers' arms are sore from high-fiving each other after hearing how happy the Chinese government censors were after seeing this movie. Skip it, if you still can. Go watch 1 or 2 again instead. It's a little hyperbolic to say they're infinitely better, but only a little.