THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM is a fun action adventure romp. It is a homage to several Ancient Chinese martial arts dramas. It also marks the film where Jet Li and Jackie Chan are in it together. They play two kung fu monks (Jackie Chan is the drunken monk and Jet Li is the silent monk) who have to teach kung fu to Jason, a teenage kid from the present day. The kid's mission is to deliver a satff to the Monkey King who is imprisioned in stone by the evil Jade Warlord. Along for the ride is Golden Sparrow, a young woman who wants to kill to the immortal Jade Warlord who kileld her parents. Plenty of humor and action make THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM a fun time for all. The films doesn't waste much time to get the Jason to Ancient China and be thrust into something he only sees in the kung fu movies he watches.

The film relies on action and comedy to propel it. Character development is needed only when it is needed to help the story along. I do wish we knew more about Ni Chang. Binbing Li is so evil as Ni Chang, but we never know much about her except the Jade Warlord refers to her as a witch and that she is pretty badass in a fight (and wants to be immortal). THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM will do well on DVD and just enjoy it as an action/adventure/comedy and not worry much about character development.

this movie review is (c)4-22-2008 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  

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