B+
Ever since their ascension into mainstream cinema, kung fu stars Jackie Chan (Rush Hour 3) and Jet Li (War) have rained blows upon hundreds of enemies, but never in the same film.
Rising hype and burning anticipation come to an end with the acrobatic, high-flying fantasy The Forbidden Kingdom.
The film follows a Boston teenager Jason, played by Michael Angarano (Sky High), who is sent to an alternate Chinese universe that is ruled by the evil Jade Warlord, Collin Chou (The Matrix Revolutions). Jason's quest requires him to return a golden staff to its "rightful owner," the Monkey King, whom the Warlord has imprisoned.
And while the story isn't overly compelling and isn't really anything new, thankfully the bad never overshadows the good.
Rather, The Forbidden Kingdom is very entertaining and just plain fun; the kind of movie that one wishes would come around more often.
Among Jason's newfound friends are the drunkard Lu Yan (Jackie Chan, Rush Hour 3), Golden Sparrow (newcomer Yifei Liu), and the Silent Monk (Jet Li, War). Together, the three unlikely companions help Jason in his martial-arts fueled journey.
Think Kung Fu Hustle and The Karate Kid meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. There are plenty of intense fight scenes to keep kung fu fans happy, along with plenty of laughs to please any avid moviegoer.
The minor fallout for The Forbidden Kingdom is the story. The film is very exciting and worth the price of admission, but it does become formulaic and flat-out goofy at times, typical of many kung fu movies.
The most anticipated scene in the entire film however, the long-awaited showdown between Li and Chan, is not disappointing as far as martial arts and pure entertainment goes.
It is everything one would expect from two of the best in their field and a great kung fu adventure.
While Chan offers his usual comic relief as a drunkard who claims to be immortal, Li also cracks a few good quips of his own, making their onscreen duet a dynamic one.
Considering the storyline of The Forbidden Kingdom, it's easy to get the feeling that the film is going to be just another run-of-the-mill kung fu fantasy. However, the pace of the movie and its high production value make it exceptional.
The key to most kung fu movies is the quality of the battles, camera angles, and acrobatics. Most battles in The Forbidden Kingdom are simple one-on-one scuffles, adding a few larger fight scenes that really bring the film to a more epic level.
The camera angles are perfect and never stray away from the action, keeping focused on even the smallest of details. At the same time, the special effects and choreography are superb. Not only are all the landscapes luscious and captivating, but also the human effects are also top notch.
Of course there are times when it's obvious that the characters are hanging from wires, but that's because they are actually doing stunts, instead of resorting to basic CGI.
Another success for The Forbidden Kingdom is the soundtrack. The music fits the genre perfectly and is very uplifting, keeping in tune with the premise of the story.
While the movie isn't an entirely successful venture, the few problems that arise don't detract from a genuinely fantastic experience.
The acting in some parts is lack-luster; Yifei Liu and Chinese actors speaking English are to blame for this slight failure. Certainly it's to be expected in a movie such as this, but that does not excuse Liu of her very dull and uninspiring performance.
On the other hand, Angarano does a good job showcasing his acting ability, especially towards the end of the film. He does many of his own stunts and at times, has a look much like a young Edward Norton.
The Forbidden Kingdom may not be the greatest of martial-arts films, but there are few that can rival its entertainment value which makes it a must see for spring fever.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
