Remember the good ol’ days of Fearless Hyena and Drunken Master? Jackie Chan’s the same and creates martial arts spectacles as always. His films are the perfect blend of Kung-fu and humor. Over the years he’s become not just a great actor, but an ace at film making. He caters to a much larger audience than just Bruce Lee freaks. Chan is a perfect entertainer, not to mention his natural ability of personal stunts, also the modern techniques his movies have employed today.

Jet Li is the modern version of Jackie Chan. An amazing martial artist, comes together for the first time with Chan in The Forbidden Kingdom. Two new-age Kung-fu masters have synchronized every punch, kick and block at lightning speeds. They ensure a rush of adrenalin as the movie progresses.

Cast:

Jackie Chan: Hop, the thrift store owner/Lu Yan, the Drunken Immortal
Jet Li: The Silent Monk/Sun Wukong, the Monkey King
Collin Chou: The Jade Warlord
Michael Angarano: Jason Tripitikas, the Traveler
Liu Yi Fei: Golden Sparrow, the Orphan Warrior
Li Bingbing: Ni-Chang, the White-Haired Witch Assassin

The Forbidden Kingdom is about an American kid Jason. An admirer of martial arts flicks, he always hires DVDs from this old shop in China Town, where one day he discovers ancient contemporary collection in the other room. The shop is owned by a very old Chinese man who has become Jason’s friend.

Jason is going back home when a group of local ruffians assault him. They get into the shop and try to steal, until the old man gets a divine weapon and hits of the guys. One of the rowdies shoots the old man and the weapon is caught by Jason. The old man tells him that the weapon is to be returned to its rightful owner.

Flash! Jason is teleported into ancient China. He’s baffled to know that he’s the chosen one to return this divine weapon owned by the Monkey King, who’s been imprisoned by the spell of the Jade Warlord. How does Jason achieve this?

Enter Lu Yan (Chan) and the Silent Monk (Li), two mighty warriors who not only join Jason’s quest to defeat the Jade Warlord but also to train him in the way of the martial arts. Accompanying them is Golden Sparrow, the Orphan girl warrior.

Does he succeed in returning the weapon to its owner?

The Forbidden Kingdom is a well-made fairy tale. There is no point rationalizing the story, watch it as pure fantasy (or reality, for some). Mind-boggling kung-fu, scenic locations of China, high-budget sets and funny moments make it a pure entertainer.

If you thought all Chinese women looked the same, think twice before you see the exceptionally beautiful Liu Yi Fei.

A Must-watch for:
> Jackie Chan and Jet Li fans
> Martial Artists (Karate, Kung Fu, Taikwando, Tai-chi, Kick Boxing etc)
> Kids getting bored at home
> Parents who care about these kids
> Set Designers
> Action Film makers
> BookEazy members

See the trailer here: