"B" Rating by Robert W. Hammerle

Next to "The Bank Job," "The Forbidden Kingdom" stands as the most entertaining movie to date in 2008. Starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan, the story is captivatingly earnest without ever taking itself too seriously.

By comparison, this film is far closer to the pleasures of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) than the ham fisted "Rush Hour" trilogies that even Mr. Chan has come to loathe. Part mirth and part mysticism, it would be a major mistake to dismiss this film as just another hackneyed kung fu film.

The story revolves around a teenage boy (Michael Angarano) who finds a mysterious Golden Rod in a Chinese antique store run by an aging proprietor played by Mr. Chan. Assaulted by some thugs, young Mr. Angarano awakens in a magical kingdom that resembles feudal Japan.

Angarano soon joins forces with two kung fu masters, one a Silent Monk played with magnificent stoicism by the wonderful Mr. Li, and the other a drunken immortal played with impish delight by the glorious Mr. Chan. They set out on a quest to restore the Golden Rod to its rightful owner. In this case the rightful owner is the immortal Monkey King (again played by Mr. Li) who has been encased in stone by a subversive group of warriors bent on the subjugation and destruction of the country and its people.

Along the way, our trio is joined by Golden Sparrow (Yifei Liu), a young woman of considerable marital arts skill herself who is bent on seeking vengeance for the killing of her parents. Various fights and conflicts ensue, all of which exhibit the dazzling special effects that so many of us came to love in the aforementioned "Crouching Tiger."

There is simply a lot to like about this movie. As he proved in "Hero" (2004) and "War" (2007), Jet Li is one of those rare actors who can command the screen while saying nothing at all. His self-confidence is fully expressed in his steely eyes and firm but soft facial features that reflect a man with complete confidence in himself. Simultaneously, he and the audience know that his skills cannot be matched by mortal man. Or in this case, by any "immortal" man either.

And while I was never a particular fan of the "Rush Hour" trilogies, particularly the God-awful last one, go rent the remake of "Around the World in 80 Days" (2004) if you want to experience the comedic artistry of Mr. Chan. More to the point, regardless of your perceptions of martial arts and kung fu movies, you really should overcome your skepticism and experience the pleasure of watching Mr. Li and Mr. Chan team up on the big screen. They are truly an artistic pleasure to behold.

While it is probably unfair to say this, I wish that director Rob Minkoff had the courage to simply allow the characters to speak their native tongue and released this film with subtitles. Yes, I know that this would have undoubtedly limited the potential box office grosses here in the States. However, it would have eliminated the occasionally stilted use of English by the various characters, the only minor drawback of this otherwise completely enjoyable film.
Regardless, that is a minor criticism, and I would close by recommending this film for your attention. Who knows, it may spark an interest in a genre that can only add to your movie going pleasure.