The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)

Seldom does a film come along that one can just view with utter enjoyment. Combining two of the most fluid martial artists in the world with Jackie Chan and Jet Li is martial arts gold. The film transitions comedic dialogue with fluid movements of kung fu styles. The plot itself is a fantasy driven story of a teen from America who has an infatuation with everything Kung Fu. He comes across a magical Staff and is catapulted into another realm to find it's original owner. Along the way he learns about morality, fighting from within and being true to his inner self.The film has signs of brilliance in it's stunt choreography as well as Chinese culture. It's fantasy mixed with comedy and action/adventure. A welcome surprise to many a violent film. Think of Big Trouble In Little China and this will become a cult classic. 7/10

Other reviewers have covered the fact that you have two of the top martial artists of all time in this extraordinary film, and that's fine, bit OMG what a story! You will have to look very long and very hard to find another script this well structured -- from the opening where the bullying is established in present time; to the introduction of the mysterious artifact; to the time travel; ancient grudge; aligning of the good vs bad forces; subplot on the immortals; subplot on hero learning to fight, taught by the best; possible romantic arc but with impediment -- well,you get the point, this story keeps you glued to the screen for its entire length and not even LORD OF THE RINGS could pull that off. I especially love the ending, because, against all odds it ties together a bunch of loose ends that seemed impossible to clean up (return to the present time; dealing with the bullies; the "impossible" romance that may not actually be impossible). IMDb tells me that Fusco was a high school dropout. If so, this raises series doubts about the value of high school? I looked at his other work trying to see anything that came close to this, and all I found was CROSSROADS (1986) which had some really nice elements but nothing as powerful as this script. WOW. Nothing less than a 10 and you can find another film like it anywhere I will eat the DVD cover.

The Forbidden Kingdom is a very good movie which is always enjoyable to watch. It has great adventure, fantasy and exciting action packed martial arts. But sometimes it can get cheesy and that's maybe the only thing that let's it down but other than that its still very entertaining. Jackie Chan and Jet Li are great in the film and act as some of the better actors of the bunch. Some parts are unrealistic, including the scene where Jason's bully just shoots the old store keeper. I mean he could have gone to jail for robbing the pawn shop but now he's committed a murder which might mean a life sentence. But I guess that part of the story was pretty helpful and is why the makers put it in. But the story never gets a good chance to show us what happened to the bully after Jason bashed him with his new martial arts. I'm guessing he must have gone to jail because the old man surely recovered and he could just press charges so... Yeah I think Jason's bully is going to jail. And besides where did he get the gun from anyway? And so ends my review on a film I really recommend and try to watch it on a nice Saturday night, I swear your dreams after that film will become your best.

Jackie Chan and Jet Li team up for a rather interesting tale of oriental folklore in the search for the "Forbidden Kingdom."After obtaining the mysterious "staff", Chan and Collin Lou must discover its' history, and fight the forces of evil.I found the story capable of maintaining a high level of interest and the story moves at a sustainable pace. Very good visual effects.While some might consider it a cross between "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Drunken Master", there are similarities, flying people and a hysterical Chan, the film does stand on its' own, and delivers a very exciting conclusion. The White Haired Witch Demoness Ni-Chang(Li Bing Bing) is terrific and as ruthless and nasty as they come.8 out of 10 rating.Michael Angarano does a fine job.