Sunday, April 20, 2008
A+E, Movies, Reviews
The Forbidden Kingdom
‘Kingdom’ offers a pleasant escape
CREDIT: Chan Kam Chuen/Lionsgate
Jet Li and Jackie Chan in “The Forbidden Kingdom”
“THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM”
Jackie Chan, Jet Li
Directed by Rob Minkoff
Rated PG-13
Wide release
A major merger took place this week. Not the little one between Delta and Northwest Airlines, but the pairing of Jackie Chan and Jet Li in “The Forbidden Kingdom.” Not the battle of the giants its billing suggests, this action-adventure is a “Nim’s Island” for SOBs (Slightly Older Boys).
Jason (Michael Angarano, the guy they call when Shia LaBeouf says no) is a Boston teenager who watches Asian martial arts films but is defenseless against the local bullies. After coming into possession of an ornate golden staff, he falls off a roof and lands in ancient China. Like the hero of “The Last Starfighter,” he’s traveled through time and space to solve other people’s problems (because Americans are so good at solving problems in Eastern countries). He has to return the staff to the Monkey King (Li), who was frozen in stone 500 years ago by the Jade Warlord (Collin Chou).
Jason’s two mentors, drunken poet Lu Yan (Chan) and the Silent Monk (Li), engage in old-fashioned kung-fu fisticuffs before joining forces. Tagging along is Golden Sparrow (Liu Yifei), out to avenge her parents’ murder by the Jade Warlord.
There’s a fight about every five minutes, a few involving magic. Chan revives his “Drunken Master” shtick, but doesn’t work it for comedy much in the fight scenes. Li gets more laughs with his Monkey business.
There’s enough action that the kids won’t get restless, except with eagerness to try out some of the moves. Young teenage boys are the target audience, but “The Forbidden Kingdom” is pleasant enough for adults seeking mindless entertainment as well. 2.5 STARS—Steve Warren