THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
Since fighting legends Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris first sparred in Way of the Dragon, (Sometimes titled Return of the Dragon), martial arts fans have been salivating for more pair-ups of their favorite heroes. So what better film to satisfy moviegoers than a movie that brings together two of the most prominent martial artists in the modern world? That's right, in this movie, Jackie Chan and Jet Li duel in a fanboy's dream come true.
In a cool twist on the wuxia genre, the story tells of a young boy, Jason Tripitakas (what a name!), played by Michael Angarano, who gets transported back in time to Ancient China. Legend tells of a Monkey King who was turned to stone through trickery by the evil Jade Warlord (Colin Chou). The Jade Warlord has proceeded to enslave the kingdom with his mighty armies. Only the Monkey King has the power to restore peace and order, but he requires the "Seeker" to return to him his magical staff in order to awaken. This is where Jason comes in and with the help of Lu Yan (Jackie Chan), the Silent Monk (Jet Li) and Golden Sparrow (Liu Yifei), he attempts to fulfill his destiny as the Seeker.The story's simple enough and is welcomed in an age where movies keep getting darker and more melodramatic. We've had plenty of Kung Fu movies of the Zhang Yimou type and I for one am tired of tragic storylines where all the good people die. Humor is rampant throughout this film and it really spices the experience. Jackie Chan and Jet Li in particular, interact on-screen with hilarious results, due to a bit of fun dialogue. The two characters are foils to each other, with Jackie Chan's Lu Yan as an unkempt drunkard and Jet Li's Silent Monk as the stoic, righteous warrior with the occasional sense of humor.
Besides that, the story's endearing enough to not be dismissed as cheap comedy, as you do care for the characters and how they develop along the course of the plot. Along the way, Jason matures from a typical loser who frequently gets bullied to a seasoned martial artist (after many torturous but comical training sessions by both Lu Yan and the Silent Monk). He learns patience, diligence and selflessness along his quest and I feel it does relate to us all, as the audience. You'll finish the film with a nice sense of satisfaction.
Anybody entering the cinema to catch this undoubtedly knows that there's going to be choreographed duels and this movie doesn't disappoint. Props to choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping who has created stunning and graceful action scenes and fights that keep you glued to the screen. The fights in this movie are more reminiscent of those early Hong Kong dramas as compared to recent fare by Zhang Yimou, and as such, is fast-paced rather than graceful. Yet, the choreography never loses its beauty and like clockwork, every attack and move flows smoothly from one hit to the next. This is particularly evident in the spectacular fight between Jet Li's and Jackie Chan's characters, who duke it out in a charming battle of wits and skill.
Another thing worth mentioning is the beauty of the art direction. Ancient China and all of its colorful inhabitants are depicted beautifully, with the mountaintops and fortresses looking like they've just leaped out of a Chinese novel. The scenic landscapes sprawl over each panorama making you feel a satisfying warmth deep inside. Costumes for the characters are colorful and intricately designed and match the dashing set pieces that were featured throughout the film. Every scene is gorgeous to look at and it's eye candy throughout.
Otherwise, this film is like any other typical Kung Fu action film, just that it's more light-hearted than the rest. The story doesn't take itself too seriously and there's plenty of slapstick humor and dialogue sprinkled throughout the movie. In conclusion, all I can say is that while it isn't the deepest film, it is a film with heart, what I would call a "feel-good" film. Rest assured, the first pairing of Jackie Chan and Jet Li was a spectacular and enjoyable show.Images are copyrighted by Lionsgate and The Weinstein Company
