The Forbidden Kingdom (2-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray]

Buy This Item The Forbidden Kingdom (2-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray] by Lions Gate  Available from Amazon  $39.99  on 11-27-2008     Getting martial-arts superstars Jet Li and Jackie Chan together in the same action film is like a fantasy come true, even if <I>The Forbidden Kingdom</I> is more of a children's movie than an instant kung-fu classic. Yes, Li and Chan square off in a lengthy, acrobatic fight scene that is a lot of fun, though it can't be what such a scene might have been even a decade ago: careful editing now compensates for the 54-year-old Chan's slower moves and reflexes. Still, Chan doesn't disappoint as Lu Yan, a drunken immortal in ancient China who mentors a modern-day American kid, Jason (Michael Angarano), the latter having slipped into the past while in possession of a magical staff that belongs to the imprisoned Monkey King (Li). In order to get back to his own time and help an old friend (also Chan) wounded by thugs, Jason accompanies Lu Yan and a lovely warrior, Golden Sparrow (Liu Yifei), on a journey to return the staff. Along the way, a (mostly) silent monk (Li, again), who has spent his life in search of the staff, joins their mission. He helps Lu Yan train Jason in fighting and adding more muscle to the party as it comes under siege from a violent witch (Li Bing Bing) and pathological warlord (Collin Chou). Screenwriter John Fusco (<I>Hidalgo</I>) and director Rob Minkoff (<I>The Haunted Mansion</I>) have made a slightly chintzy, Western version of a Chinese swords-and-sorcery tale. The gravity-defying, flying-through-the-air-while-fighting choreography looks pretty choppy and graceless compared to, say, the martial arts films of Zhang Yimou. But <I>The Forbidden Kingdom</I> is really aimed at kids, not aficionados of epic fight movies. On that score, the movie aims to please and does so for the right audience. <I>--Tom Keogh</I> Reader Reviews This movie is not one of these numerous, lack of consistence and, some times, really low level "Dungeons" stories. Not at all to confound with "In the name of the King", a good example how such movies, even with big actors can be worthless. This story brings us into ancestral Chinese/Asian Culture and Legend. The Monkey King, one of the most popular figures in Asian believing and myths and his brief description in this movie correspond roughly to the venerated Idol. Jacky Chan and Jet Li making an astonishing duo and with these guys you really get "martial art" at top level. The movie is a tale, the tale is well told and the actors are great. Conclusion: should have more like this!

The Forbidden Kingdom (2-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray] Available from Amazon Price: $39.99 Updated on 11-27-2008.

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