Review of The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) by Kai82 — 16 Feb 2021

This is a great and entertaining movie on one hand but on the other hand if you think about Jackie Chan and Jet Li in one movie it misses the expectations a bit. Also it is their first collaboration which is mindblowing looking at both actors long list of roles in the same genre.

I like the story, worldbuilding and characters atop of the humor. I don't think I need to mention that the martial arts and fight scenes are really good when you have both legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li atop on others and choreographer Yuen Woo Ping in the team.

The story starts with Kung Fu fan Jason Tripitikas who after a chain of unlucky events ends with an ancient staff and is drawn into the (mythical) ancient China. Here he is told that the staff is far more important than he imagined and is chosen on a quest to return it.

I am vague here because of mayor spoilers. The story is excellent and uses a lot of legends and myths of China. Be it elements from Journey to the West, the legendary eight Immortals and fantasy tropes.

I think it uses a lot of care and love to make staples and tropes enjoyable and worthwhile. While I am at it I want to praise the visuals to. Be it the sets, costumes and locations. Everything adds to the style and atmosphere of the movie.

Lets continue with the actors. Jet Li and Jackie Chan deliver. It might be neither s best performance but it is enjoyable, humorous and entertaining. Michael Anagarano as Jason Tripitikas is surprisingly good.

A good heroes journey. The villains are enjoyable too with Collin Chou as ruthless and well plotting Jade Warlord and Li Bingbing as intimidating and unrelenting Ni Chang. From Liu Yifei as Golden Sparrow I wished to see more as she is a great addition.

I think the cast delivered a great and fitting performance. Then there is the humor. It may not be a comedy but it delivers some good humor. I still remembered the summoning rain scene;-). The humor is a good addition and well integrated into the story.

There is a fine balance for movies between being serious and still have humor. Too much or bad humor harms a movie with serious themes. Overall this was an enjoyable movie and worth watching. I fully admit that I expected more but this did not harm my experience.

(Yes this is possible but a rare event). Might not be the greatest movie but a well crafted fairy-tale with good characters and enjoyable martial arts.