The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself travelling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.
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This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
This has what I like in a martial arts movie. MMA has smashed the fantasy realm of these movies, where the gritty stuff where little asian men can beat gun wielding gangsters are no longer viable. This is why this movie works, because it takes the main character out of our modern world and throws them into the world envisioned in The Journey to The West, Monkey-King and all.
Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano) is a kung fu movie fan. A group of thugs forces Jason to help rob shop owner Hop (Jackie Chan). Lupo shoots Hop who asks Jason to return a staff to its rightful owner. Jason is transported to ancient China. The village is harassed by ruthless soldiers. Jason is saved by drunken master Lu Yan (Jackie Chan). There is a prophecy of a Seeker who will return the staff and free the Monkey King (Jet Li). Then the rein of the Jade Warlord would end. Golden Sparrow who vowed revenge on the warlord helps rescue them. They encounter Silent Monk who eventually joins them on the quest. The Jade Warlord sends the witch Ni-Chang to stop the group.The fights are good. It's got Jackie Chan and Jet Li. They have some good chemistry. The white kid is alright. I think Golden Sparrow's 3rd person speaking is suppose to be funny but it doesn't feel funny. Ni-Chang could be scarier. The drama tension isn't that high. It's still fun to see Jackie and Jet fight.
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.Check out my other reviews on http://straighttelling.co.uk
Sorry, this is americanized Hollywood garbage. It has no relevance to any actual Chinese history, Kung Fu, or anything even remotely compelling. Seriously, outside of the fight scenes between Chan and Li, the lead star is annoying and unconvincing. Karate Kid, Chinese style? yeah sure. But if we have a film with arguably the two best martial artists of this era,shouldn't we get more than a fluffy, semi PG rated love story, and watered down tale of redemption? This is not even a good Saturday afternoon children's film. This is why Hollywood should stay out of the martial arts business. This is a lame attempt to appeal to that teeny bopper generation, whom they captured with films like karate Kid back in the day. Now, it's just bad filmmaking. Cut out all oft he kid's scenes, and you might have a movie. As it stands, this garbage is a waste of time and money. Guess somebody needed a quick pay day. Overly ambitious, yet fails deliver on any front.