A discovery made by a kung fu obsessed American teen sends him on an adventure to China, where he joins up with a band of martial arts warriors in order to free the imprisoned Monkey King (www.imdb.com).
Director: Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little, The Haunted Mansion)
Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, YiFei Liu, Collin Chou
The Forbidden Kingdom is Hollywood's answer to Asian cinema. Surprisingly it's the first time Jackie Chan and Jet Li have collaborated together, and it's been worth the wait. It's such a momentous occasion seeing the martial artists do what they do best and it has taken our attention away from what's deemed more important; the story itself. Our western friend Jason (Angarano) is the weakest link, overshadowed for reasons out of his control. Jason is the nerdy kid that's obsessed with kung-fu and visits a Chinese pawn shop in his free time. Touching a fabled magical staff transports him to ancient China where he ends up on an adventure to save the Monkey King (Li) who's been turned to stone by the evil Jade Warlord (Collin Chou). Accompanying him is drunken warrior Lu Yan (Chan), The Silent Monk (also Li) and love interest (because that's all she seems to be there for) Golden Sparrow (YiFei Liu). Many battles ensue; there are more fights and battles than there are plot advancements. TFK has enough might and steel to match Hero or House of Flying Daggers, and the world is beautifully layered like Middle Earth. This is adventure for all to enjoy, not just fans of martial arts. It plays it nice and easy, and it's worth the watch for Li and Chan alone.
3.5/5
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