I watch every movie with a “3” in its title expecting the worst. But it seems that the people behind “Kung Fu Panda 3” have managed to break the curse. This sequel is as colorful and as entertaining as the previous installments and I couldn’t be happier to report that. Jack Black scores yet another bullseye as the irresistible Po, who finally gets to meet his long lost father (Bryan Cranston) while having to deal with a dangerous new threat posed by Master Oogway’s former partner Kai (a brilliant J.K Simmons). Directors Allesandro Carloni and Jennifer Yuh have built a strong foundation for their characters to guarantee rooting interest and make sure the stakes are serious enough to matter. The result is a movie that is slightly darker in tone with just the right dose of humor to satisfy kids and adults alike. If you enjoyed the first two “Panda” films, consider part 3 a must see.

Rating: 3/4