After almost a decade since the last film, the Kung Fu Panda franchise has gotten another addition lately with its fourth installment. However, even after debuting eight years after the third installment, this addition to Jack Black’s star-studded iconic saga isn’t being received all too well by a considerable amount of critics worldwide, especially on Rotten Tomatoes.
But then again, all hope is not lost for this new movie. If anything, the very same thing that has managed to hold the reputation of Zack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe’s films so far against a majority of critical backlash just might work its charm and save the fourth film of The Dragon Warrior Panda as well: High audience scores by fans!
The only thing that saved Zack Snyder’s DCEU can save Kung Fu Panda 4
On the 8th of March, 2024, Kung Fu Panda 4 made its way to the theatres in the USA, all set to leave yet another indelible mark on its audiences. However, this time, the critics at Rotten Tomatoes seemingly failed to be impressed.
As of this writing, the film ranks at a 69% rating on the Tomatometer, after having debuted with a 72% score from 79 reviews. This new rating has been derived from the reviews of 95 of the platform’s critics, and is considerably low as compared to the previous installments’ records.
Even the critics’ consensus wasn’t too kind to the Jack Black starrer as it read that the film “offers enough eye-catching entertainment to sustain the franchise’s young fans, although it’s starting to feel like this series is running out of steam.”
Yet while the critics are convinced the saga is losing its steam, the audience is not. If anything, they’re all set to prove the critics wrong, as can derived from the current 87% audience score the film holds from 250+ verified ratings after having debuted on 81%.
That being said, it seems that the very thing that saved the DCEU films throughout Zack Snyder‘s era — i.e. incredible scores of commendation from audiences — can be the ray of hope for the fourth installment of the Dragon Warrior Panda’s film series.
This claim is further backed up with evidence from films like Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and even the Snyder Cut (its critical score was 72%) — all of which rank at terrible critical scores but incredible ones from the audiences.
As can be deciphered from the current turn of events, this very thing is exactly what could seemingly prove to be Black’s salvation for the widely celebrated film series. And as it turns out, fans seem to agree with us.
Kung Fu Panda fans defend the film against the critics’ reviews
Ever since fans came across the fact that the most recent addition to Po’s film series has not been received as well by critics as the previous installments, they have made sure to let their feelings known that they would not let the movie down unlike the critics.
Thus, they have taken to the comment section of @HollywoodHandle‘s X tweet about the film’s score on Rotten Tomatoes to share their own personal reviews on the movie and explain just how peak the film was. Here’s what they’re saying:
I knew fans were going to like it. The films are fun and full of heart
— Eddie (@OHMYDIAZ) March 8, 2024
Best movie in 2024 so far
— Lexi (@lexii_june) March 8, 2024
Just finished watching it. Once again, peak cinema😎
— Matt Colon (@CPTAnimatronics) March 9, 2024
The best
— ElectricBro8 (@Bro8Electric) March 8, 2024
WHY WONT YOU CRITICS ADMIT THEY ALL SHOULD BE IN THE 90S THEY ARE PEAK CINEMA!!
— 🌙MissingSample🌙 (@Missing_Sample) March 8, 2024
Don't listen to rotten tomatoes because they get biased at times.
— Aaron Jackson (@AaronJa68879683) March 8, 2024
Adding to such honorable reviews from fans for the film is the fact that it has already surpassed its $85 million budget with a $89,328 gross within a day of its release (as per Box Office Mojo), so it seems the film is immune to failure even with such critical reviews!
Kung Fu Panda 4 is out and rocking in theatres now!
