The Forbidden Kingdom (DVD)
Movies, Two Stars — By trench on September 13, 2008 at 2:37 am | 4 VisitorsTo be completely honest with you, I wasn’t overly impressed with The Forbidden Kingdom. The film had the potential to be a modern classic with kung fu legends Jet Li and Jackie Chan casted for it, but with such a weak plot and lack of energy from its actors, it was a complete disappointment for me.
The biggest problem with this film was the lack of intensity during the action sequences. I completely understand that this was suppose to a lighthearted “fun” film, but even with all the humor and fun in old school kung fu flicks, the fight scenes were always amazing. I’m not sure how others felt about the highly anticipated Jet Li versus Jackie Chan duel, but it left me wanting more. The choreography for the fight was on point, but neither Li or Chan had the fierceness that I’ve seen from them before. It just wasn’t very tenacious.
How about the motor behind the movie? Its storyline. What a complete joke. I have watched a grip of kung fu flicks with bad storylines in my time, but there was always something that would save it from total disaster. In the case of the Forbidden Kingdom, neither the fights scenes or its big budget could salvage it.
Overall, this film was not what I had envisioned it to be. I guess after watching classics such as Enter the Dragon and The Five Deadly Venoms, it makes it very difficult to appreciate anything which doesn’t live up to them. If you a hardcore fan of Kung Fu, then I advise you skip this one altogether. It will make you cringe to see so much talent (Li and Chan) go to waste. To those not so hardcore, you might actually be enjoy this one. It seems that good ol’ Hollywood has struck again.
Synopsis: Legendary martial arts stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li come together onscreen for the first time ever in director Rob Minkoff’s time-traveling take on the Monkey King fable that finds an American teen transported back to ancient China after wandering into a pawn shop and discovering the king’s fighting stick. Once there, the adventurous teen joins an army of fierce warriors who have sworn to free their imprisoned king at all costs. In addition to appearing as the mythical Monkey King, Li assumes the role of a silent monk, and Chan appears in the role of kung fu master Lu Yan. Famed action choreographer Yuen Woo Ping presides over the fight sequences. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Tags: Collin Chou, Jackie-Chan, jet_li, Kung Fu, Michael Angarano, Rob Minkoff, Two Stars
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13 Comments
I totally agree. It had its moments for me, but it wasn’t that great. You can see my review here.
Brian Fitzpatricks last blog post..DVD Review: Day of the Dead (2007)
I watched this one in theaters, and agree that it is a forgettable film. As far as I remember, the only things I liked were seeing how Jet Li would play the Monkey King and Jackie Chan in the comfortable role of a drunken master.
It’s a bit hard for me to think of a light and fun Hollywood martial arts film that was actually any good. Almost all the ones I thought were good when I was young disappointed when I watched them again.
Hehe I do believe I’ve mentioned before I don’t really like kung fu-esque movies. Glad to know I’m not missing out *all* the time.
Good but not great. I was also a bit disappointed coz I expected it to be much better considering that Jet Li and Jackie Chan are both on it.
It had a few moments but they should have done away with the whole time travelling kid idea and kept it strictly Ancient China. It should have been Hero but with Jackie Chan.
BTW, Jet’s best movie has to be Fist of Legend.
@ndo – The traveling kid thing just killed the whole experience for me.
I’ve had this flick for two months and still haven’t finished it yet. I thought it might get better but after this post, I won’t be getting back to it anytime soon.
Film-Book dot Coms last blog post..The Day the Earth Stood Still Extended Preview
@Film – Dont bother. It was horrific. take it back to the store you bought it from! haha
Its sad too because the trailer was badass and promised a solid film.
@Film-Book dot Com – Just the fact Jet Li and Jackie’s name are present on the film make it enticing.
You’re right. Not only Jackie and Jet, they totally wasted Colin Chou too, who is a talented kungfu actor himself.
Chriss last blog post..Jet Li and Jackie Chan Rescued by Awkward Caucasian Teen
I am not a huge fan either of movies like this at all. I didn’t even like mummies because i do not like watching movies set in that era, I guess I am just a horror film girl.