After seeing my 5th dreary indie film in a row about miserable people I felt I needed some escapism, and The Forbidden Kingdom was just the ticket.  A first-rate martial arts fantasy adventure film starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan.  The underrated film hits all the right notes and is also great family entertainment, despite some surprisingly violent interludes.  Woo Ping’s fight choreography is nothing short of spectacular in the film.  His wild mix of wire fu and CG effects has never looked more artful or fresh as it does in the film.  It also works much better in the framework of a fantasy film where you can suspend your disbelief.  The Forbidden Kingdom lacks originality (its got elements of The Karate Kid, The Neverending Story, Zu Warriors, and The Bride with White Hair) but more than makes up for it in humor, heart and fantastic fight scenes.

A teenager named Jason who is obsessed with kung fu (he even buys a copy of The Bride With White Hair, sweet) in Boston winds up back in Ancient China where he must free the imprisoned Monkey King (Jet Li, in a dual role).  After a nasty run in with bullies he finds himself back in China and with the help of a drunken immortal (Jackie Chan, never more fun), a vengeful babe, and Li as a stoic monk.  Jason must use a magical staff to free the Monkey King from stone and defeat the menacing Jade Warlord, freeing the kingdom from his tyranny.  He also needs to learn kung fu and is taught by Chan and Li.  Along the way, they are pursued by the Warlord’s army and most notably a gorgeous witch babe who uses a long whip (and most excellently, her long white hair) as deadly weapons. 

The Forbidden Kingdom is a must see for fantasy and martial arts fans.  You get good performances from the leads, great fights (Chan and Li go at it, as well) and some amazing effects and cinematography.  It’s not the most original films of the year, but it is one of the most exciting and exuberant.  A real treat.

Film Grade: B+

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