Amazon Holiday

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The Forbidden Kingdom

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A nerdy American teenager, obsessed with Kung Fu movies, is destined to return a magical staph to its rightful owner, the Monkey King, who is one of the Eight Immortals in the Forbidden Kingdom.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Collin Chou, Yifei Liu, Bingbing Li

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketProceed with Caution. You will enjoy the Martial Arts fights, but the story is by the numbers, and the main character is underdeveloped.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Not as much as a campy movie like this should.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but it might make you wish you were re-watching The Karate Kid instead.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's close to being the first Hollywood-China co-production to open in China. This of course is pending China's censorship board approving it, and Hollywood getting its head out of its butt and remembering that China is the world's capital of piracy.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: As is his way, Jackie Chan is over the top. Jet Li also has a few false moments-- but only when he's talking.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The fights are captured well and the visuals are appealing, but it's not as pretty as movies like Hero or House of Flying Daggers.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Predictable, and clearly ripping off a little bit of every movie in this genre that came before it... which sometimes is a blessing in disguise, because when you can't understand what the actors are saying (which is often), it's a relief to know that you can reach into your memory of what happens in other films, and follow along.

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3 comments:

Seek said...

I thought this movie was allot of fun. I know it wasn't highly original, but the cinematography and art were rich and exciting. The stunt work was complex and entertaining even if the story was a Disneyish one that the Chinese surely will frown on...except Jackie is their idol apparently...so...

I feel it deserves a green light for its action and visual fantasies. Allot of excellent work went into the production and it really shows. Old school Kung Fu movies have nothing on this one. But then, they never have very exciting stories either!

The cheesy Karate Kid rip off aspect and lack of originality all around should earn the writer the not-so-coveted stale poo-poo platter award. It is not a writer's movie so much as an action-fantasy.

It definitely had great scenic, stunt and costume art that makes it one to see on the big screen.

Monique said...

I don't know, Seek, I don't think people go to the movies to see the art direction.

But what's got me concerned now is in hearing the promotional campaign, it seems like they're promoting this film like something different than it is. The ads make is seem edgy, like a battle of brut stregth between sworn enemies Jackie Chan and Jet Li. When really, it's practically a kid's movie it's so tongue in cheek and goofy. And Jackie and Jet are hardly enemies in it.

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