It’s been about eight years since the last Kung Fu Panda adventure bowled us over and walking into the theatre to watch Kung Fu Panda 4, you can’t help but wonder if Po still has the same magic in him.

What is clear at the outset is that directors Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Ma Stine have tried to stretch the franchise’s life span by developing the storyline and introducing fresh characters.

In Kung Fu Panda 4, the legendary Dragon Warrior Po (Jack Black) finds himself at a crossroads when his mentor Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) urges him to find a successor. Po is reluctant to relinquish his title and position of power just yet. In this melee enters a mysterious bandit fox, Zhen (Awkwafina). When a new villain, the Chameleon (Viola Davis), appears in a faraway land called Juniper City, Po teams up with Zhen and sets out on a perilous journey to confront her.

One of the hallmarks of the Kung Fu Panda film series has been its blend of edge-of-the-seat action and side-splitting laughs along with a dose of memorable life lessons. While Kung Fu Panda 4 toes the same line, it trips while maintaining the same level of comedic brilliance.

There are some genuinely hilarious moments — like Po and Zhen’s encounter with a band of wild boars at a tavern — but Kung Fu Panda 4 lacks the riotous energy that defined the three previous films.

Jack Black once again shines as the voice of Po, effortlessly weaving wit and heartfelt emotions. The addition of Awkwafina as Zhen infuses fresh energy into the franchise, and Viola Davis’s commanding presence as the villain adds gravitas.

The decision to reintroduce past villains of the franchise in the climax works. And though the new characters have their own appeal, Kung Fu Panda fans will miserably miss the Furious Five. Their brief appearance in the epilogue, though enjoyable, is more of a tokenism.

Having said that, you really cannot wait to see what is in store for us next from Po and his newfound companion.