The Forbidden Kingdom

Overall score:

Jackie Chan.

Jet Li.

Two names that are spoken with reverent tones in movie martial arts circles. For their entire illustrious movie career, neither has starred in a movie with the other.

In 2008, that all changed.

The Forbidden Kingdom, directed by Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little 2, and The Haunted Mansion) and written by John Fusco (Hidalgo and Young Guns I and II) is a knock out, free for all, no holds barred ,re-imagining of the ancient Chinese epic "Journey to the West."

The main character is a socially inept teenager from South Boston named Jason Tripitikas who lives his life by martial arts movies. One day, while visiting a small pawn shop in Chinatown looking for bootlegged DVDs, he catches a glimpse of an ancient staff sitting in the back room. The discovery begins his journey, as he is thrust into the past to fulfill an ancient prophecy by returning the staff to the petrified remains of the Monkey King, and end the reign of the vicious Jade Warlord.

Along the way he is befriended by Jackie Chan's character Lu Yan (who is based on the mythological Iron-crutch Li, one of the Eight Immortals and Taoist Saint), Jet Li's character The Silent Monk and Yifei Liu's character Golden Sparrow (which was the name of Cheng Pei Pei's character in numerous Shaw Brothers films).

During their travels to the Five Elements Mountain, they are confronted by minions of the Jade Warlord who wish to steal the staff as well, so that it can never be returned to the Monkey King.

Of all the acting, Jet Li steals the show as the stoic and uncompromising Silent Monk. He actually portrays another character in the film as well, but I won't spoil anything. 

Jackie Chan is Jackie Chan, and although he does have a few comedic moments, he is more serious than some of his other Hollywood roles.

To further capture authenticity, the movie was primarily filmed in China. Locations such as the Gobi Desert, Anji bamboo forest in Jiangsu and Hengdian World Studios all serve as backdrops to this incredibly beautiful film.

Peter Pau is the director of photography for this movie, and if his previous credentials as D.P. of numerous action/fighting movies isn't enough, he truly steps it up in this film. The editing, taken care of by Eric Strand, is solid as well.

The Final Kingdom takes a classic Chinese legend and adapts it for a new age. It is a fun, enjoyable ride that opens up the world of Chinese myth to younger viewers and reminds all of us adults that fantasy fun is never forbidden.

Written by CthulhuKefka on September 23rd, 2008