The Forbidden Kingdom Movie Review
Jet Li and Jackie Chan Kick Butt on the Same Big Screen
Dec 9, 2008
Jason Tripikitas, Michael Angarano (Lords of Dogtown) is a troubled teen obsessed with the deadly arts of the Far East. When Jason finds himself in harm's way from a group of local thugs, he unintentionally unleashes the power of a magical staff, which transports him from present day Boston, to Ancient China. Jason must return the staff to its rightful owner, The Monkey King, who has been encased in stone by the conspiring Jade Warlord, if he is to ever return home.
On his travels, Jason makes the acquaintance of Lu Yan, Jackie Chan (Rumble in the Bronx) , a drunken fist master whom he asks to teach him to fight. Lu reluctantly accepts to help the boy, and accompanies him on his journey.
When a silent monk played by Jet Li (The One) threatens to disrupt the parties' plans by stealing the Monkey King's staff, Jackie Chan and Jet Li engage in what would have to be the Martial Arts worlds' most anticipated face-off ever.
With emotions put aside, the Monk joins Jason, Lu, and Golden Sparrow, to the realm of the Jade Warlord to free the fabled Monkey King.
Choreography
Master technician Woo-Ping Yuen would have licked his lips at the the talent made available to him in this modern day Martial Arts adventure. Jet Li and Jackie Chan let their fists and feet do the talking as they displayed their intimate knowledge of various Kung-Fu disciplines in the single fighting sequence. The Result: Exhilarating, Heart-Stopping, WOO HA eye candy!!! The puppet master must have had to cut the strings at times and let these masters demonstrate their prowess without restriction.
Yuen's genius alone could have been enough to carry this film into Kung-Fu folklore.
Set Design
Impressive to say the least, what has come to be expected of all Chinese period production: awe-inspiring scenery, graceful costumes, and enchanting temples and castles.
The Verdict
Writer John Fusco (Young Guns I, 2) brought 'Monkey Magic' fame back to the big screen. What made this conversion more impressive, was the fact that Fusco chose to not focus the tale on the beloved Monkey, but instead on a lost American boy; very much a la Kid in King Arthur's Court.
Die hard Kung-Fu film enthusiasts may have feared the crossover from the classic to the mainstream may have tainted the films appeal, but the film may have had the opposite effect, winning over a new cult legion of fanatics.
4/5 StarsCast
Michael Angarano
Jet Li
Jackie Chan
Colin Chou
Lui Yifei
Producer: Casey SIlver
Writer: John Fusco
Director: Rob Minkoff
Action Choreographer: Woo-Ping Yuen
Lions Gate Films (M-100 Minutes)Filmography information sourced from www.imdb.com
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