‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ review: Cute, but it’s time to put this bear to bed

While watching “Kung Fu Panda 4,” an unshakable thought kept creeping in: How much more mileage can DreamWorks possibly get out of this bear martial artist?

Po (Jack Black) is no longer a scrappy underdog — he’s the revered Dragon Warrior. His clumsiness has given way to confidence, and he’s relatively famous among the talking-animal set. A puffy panda swiftly punching and kicking isn’t a killer sight gag anymore. 

So, after 16 years and a quartet of films, where else is there for Po to go? 

“4,” while nice enough, suggests that the smartest move would be to let the fuzzy guy retire to a calming bamboo forest rather than embark on yet another predictable adventure.

The decent animated film still boasts the formidable voice talent of Black, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong and Ian McShane. Now they’re joined by Awkwafina, Viola Davis and Ke Huy Quan. Not too shabby.

This go-round, Po is reveling in his mini celeb status — swanning around town, posing for (hand-drawn) pictures with fans and cutting the ribbon at the Dragon Warrior Noodle and Tofu restaurant.