Parents and everyone else who follows contemporary mainstream animation may very well be sick of movies that stress the importance of being oneself and the power of family, but the makers of “Kung Fu Panda 3” — like those clever chefs who get kids to eat their vegetables by hiding squash in the mac and cheese — package these lessons in so much wit and color that we barely notice their familiar flavor.

Between the witty screenplay (by returning writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger), delightful visuals that jump back and forth between 3-D and 2-D animation, and a consistently game voice cast, this third serving never feels like a dull retread or a lazy cash grab.

This time around, we begin in the spirit world where ancient kung fu master (and turtle) Oogway (voiced by Randall Duk Kim) must battle evil bull Kai (J.K. Simmons), his former friend and student whom he defeated 500 years earlier.

See Video: New 'Kung Fu Panda 3' Trailer Shows Jack Black Going From Student to Teacher

In the ensuing centuries, Kai has fought all the other masters in the spirit realm, capturing their ch’i, or energy force, into jade amulets that he can then manipulate against his enemies. After he overpowers and captures Oogway, Kai returns to the mortal plane to use his powers for evil.

Meanwhile, master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) informs panda Po (Jack Black) and the Furious Five (Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen and David Cross) that he no longer has anything to teach them, and that Po must become an instructor of kung fu. As usual, Po bungles his first attempt, but he barely has time to contemplate this failure when his panda father Li (Bryan Cranston) suddenly appears, much to the consternation of Mr. Ping (James Hong), who has raised Po like a son.

Also Read: 'Kung Fu Panda 3' Key to DreamWorks Animation Comeback, President Says

To defeat Kai, Po must become a master of ch’i, a discipline that he can learn only from his fellow pandas, so he follows Li back to a hidden, remote mountain village populated entirely by the roly-poly bears. Mr. Ping tags along, partly out of resentment over Li’s sudden appearance. Saving the day will involve not only Po’s realization of his true destiny — which lies within him rediscovering his innate panda-ness — but also teaching his fellow pandas kung fu by channeling their abilities such as rolling, eating, hugging and, in the case of Mei Mei (Kate Hudson), ribbon dancing.

Directors Alessandro Carloni (a veteran DreamWorks Animation story artist) and Jennifer Yuh (“KFP 2”) keep the story moving along at a brisk clip without sacrificing story or character; it actually matters, for instance, that Mr. Ping feels usurped by the presence of Li, making their eventual reconciliation both dramatically satisfying and a celebration of fatherhood, both adoptive and biological. Meanwhile, we get delightful banter between the exuberant Black and the deadpan Hoffman, plus some wonderful non sequiturs from Rogen and Cross (who should team up in live action sometime).

Also Read: Can the Hits of DreamWorks Animation's Past Power Its Future on YouTube?

The visual references here run as fast and furious as the kung fu, from traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting to “Lost Horizon” (the panda’s secret mountaintop community recalls Shangri-La) and “Pom Poko” (a Studio Ghibli classic about another group of cute, furry animals who must become warriors). A special shout-out goes to the character animators behind Mei Mei, who give her the zaftig, come-hither eyes of veteran actress Mary Jo Catlett.

“Kung Fu Panda 3” is no game-changer, and it doesn’t pack the emotional punch of, say, “Toy Story 3,” but it’s charming and effervescent, and it makes its unlikely hero worthy of his mantle of Dragon Warrior. 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.

30 Highest Grossing Animated Movies of All Time Worldwide

A look at top animated moneymakers as of June 2018, from "The Lion King" to "Zootopia." The numbers are not adjusted for inflation.
30. "Ratatouille" (2007)

Worldwide Gross: $620,702,951

Director Brad Bird mixed a love of gourmet French cuisine with talking rodents in the 2007 fancy feast.
Pixar Animation Studios
29. "How to Train Your Dragon 2" (2014)

Worldwide Gross: $631,537,519

Dreamworks' 2014 sequel upped the ante with bigger dragons and longer flight sequences.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
28. "Kung Fu Panda" (2008)

Worldwide Gross: $631,744,560

The success of Jack Black's 2008 martial arts-meet-spongy mammal movie set into motion its inevitable -- and even more profitable -- sequel.
Dreamworks Animation Studios
27. "The Incredibles" (2004)

Worldwide Gross: $633,019,734

In 2004, Brad Bird's first Pixar outing wowed audiences with complicated animated action scenes, cross-generational comedy and superhero mayhem.
Pixar Animation Studios
26. "Sing" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $634,151,679

Illumination's animal-karaoke musical crooned its way onto the list.
25. "Moana" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $643,331,111

Disney's Hawaii-set movie scored two Oscar nominations, for Best Animated Feature and Lin-Manuel Miranda's song "How Far I'll Go."

Disney
24. "Big Hero 6" (2014)

Worldwide Gross: $657,818,612

Disney's 2014 robot tale combined anime aesthetics, superhero action and Pixar's heart.
Disney Animation Studios
23. "Ice Age: The Meltdown" (2006)

Worldwide Gross: $660,940,780

Fox's 2006 prehistoric romp proved the success of the first was no fluke.
Twentieth Century Fox
22. "Kung Fu Panda 2" (2011)

Worldwide Gross: $665,692,281

With the franchise's skills proven, DreamWorks Animation gave the world another hit of comedy with this animated martial arts sequel in 2011.
Dreamworks Animation Studios
21. "Up" (2009)

Worldwide Gross: $735,099,082

The 2009 fan favorite demonstrated that original ideas with big emotions could make big money.
Pixar Animation Studios
20. "Monsters University" (2013)

Worldwide Gross: $744,229,437

Ten years after the release of "Monsters Inc," Pixar sent fans back to school in a 2013 prequel.
Pixar Animation Studios
19. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" (2012)

Worldwide Gross: $746,921,274

DreamWorks Animation's "Madagascar" series kept the studio afloat with a string of breezy successes, including 2012's third installment.
Dreamworks Animation Studios
18. "Shrek Forever After" (2010)

Worldwide Gross: $752,600,867

The big green ogre's final chapter dropped in 2010.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
17. "Shrek the Third" (2007)

Worldwide Gross: $798,958,162

Made in 2007, this sequel proved there was still some gas left in this fantasy mash-up comedy franchise.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
16. "Coco" (2017)

Worldwide Gross: $807,082,196

Directed by Lee Unkrich, this animated film captured everyone's hearts and even won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2018.
Disney/Pixar
15. "Inside Out" (2015)

Worldwide Gross: $857,611,174

Disney Pixar hit the home run again with this animated feature film about the emotions inside your head, starring Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader.
Disney/Pixar
14. "The Secret Life of Pets" (2016)

Worldwide Gross:$875,457,937

Universal/Illumination's story of dogs seeking out adventure while their owners are away charmed its way onto the list.
13. "Ice Age: Continental Drift" (2012)

Worldwide Gross: $877,244,782

Profits abound for this 2012 fourth installment in the chilly prehistoric franchise, followed just behind it's predecessor.
Twentieth Century Fox Animation
12."Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (2009)

Worldwide Gross: $886,686,817

While other films have made bigger waves in the States, international sales have always returned big money for Fox's "Ice Age" franchise, proven again by the 2009 entry.
Twentieth Century Fox Animation
11. "Shrek 2" (2004)

Worldwide Gross: $919,838,758

DreamWorks Animation proved to be worthy Pixar competition with its successful "Shrek" franchise.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
10. "Finding Nemo" (2003)

Worldwide Gross: $940,335,536

"Finding Nemo" was something of a second-wind for Pixar, solidifying the company's place as the titans of modern animation.
Pixar Studios
9. "The Lion King" (1994)

Worldwide Gross: $968,483,777

Can you feel the love tonight for this Disney animated classic?
Disney Animation Studios
8. "Despicable Me 2" (2013)

Worldwide Gross: $970,761,885

Illumination's sequel managed to make more money than its predecessor and put the upcoming "Minions" spin-off into motion.
Illumination Studios
7. "Zootopia" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $1,023,784,195

Disney charmed audiences in 2016 with its cop thriller pairing a rookie rabbit cop and a wily fox informant.
Disney
6. "Finding Dory" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $1,028,570,889

The sequel to "Finding Nemo" swam right back into audience's hearts.
Pixar
5. "Despicable Me 3" (2017)

Worldwide Gross: $1,034,799,409

Illumination's follow-up -- featuring Gru's blond-haired brother -- became the franchise's biggest grosser.
4. "Toy Story 3" (2010)

Worldwide Gross: $1,066,969,703

Built on Pixar's critical and commercial goodwill, the third installment in the mega-franchise brought in big profits.
Pixar Studios
3. "Minions" (2015)

Worldwide Gross: $1,167,245,366

The little yellow helpers crossed the $1 billion mark at the end of August, raking in more money then "Despicable Me" and "Despicable Me 2" for Universal Pictures.
Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment
2. "Incredibles 2" (2018)

Worldwide Gross: $1,231,675,731

The superpowered family sprung back into action a full 14 years after the original -- but far surpassed the original film's box office haul.

Disney/Pixar
1. "Frozen" (2013)

Worldwide Gross: $1,274,219,009

Disney's 2013 smash-hit takes the box office top spot. And then there was merchandising, video on demand and home video that audiences just couldn't let go...
Disney Animation Studios