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Movies / On DVD / The Forbidden Kingdom
The Forbidden Kingdom

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The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)

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Reviews Counted:123

Fresh:79

Rotten:44

Average Rating:6.1/10

Consensus: This hotly-anticipated pairing of martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li features dazzling fight scenes but is weighed down by too much filler.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for sequences of martial arts action and some violence.

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:09-07-2008

Synopsis: East meets West and kung-fu legends collide as Jackie Chan and Jet Li square off in the fists-a-flying, family-friendly FORBIDDEN KINGDOM. Based on the classical Chinese novel JOURNEY TO THE WEST,... East meets West and kung-fu legends collide as Jackie Chan and Jet Li square off in the fists-a-flying, family-friendly FORBIDDEN KINGDOM. Based on the classical Chinese novel JOURNEY TO THE WEST, the film begins in modern-day Boston. There, while teenage kung-fu flick enthusiast Jason (Michael Angarano) is buying bootleg DVDs from his favorite shopkeeper, Old Hop (Chan, aged by prosthetic makeup), he is drawn to an ancient golden staff. When a local bully forces weakling Jason to help rob Old Hop, Jason escapes with the staff and is magically transported to ancient China. He is soon rescued from the forces of the Jade Warlord by Lu Yan (Chan), a raggedy wanderer whose wine-guzzling ways conceal his kung-fu mastery. Yan reveals the truth of the staff, and that Jason is the fabled Seeker who must return it to the Monkey King (Li) to prevent the warlord's evil plans. The two are joined in their quest by a kung-fu master, Silent Monk (Li), and a beautiful orphan (Liu Yifei) who harbors her own personal vendetta. Despite their differences, the two masters teach Jason the ways of the kung-fu warrior. And when Lu Yan is gravely wounded by the warlord's sexy assassin, Jason must bring his newfound skills and courage to bear if he is to save one world and return to his own. Choreographed by action impresario Woo-ping Yuen (THE MATRIX, KILL BILL) and shot on location in China, FORBIDDEN KINGDOM is an appealing family adventure about the importance of working together and the value of believing in one's abilities. [More]

Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Crystal Liu

Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Crystal Liu, Collin Chou, Liu Yifei, Li Bing Bing, Ye Xiaokeng

Director: Rob Minkoff

Director: Rob Minkoff
Screenwriter: John Fusco
Producer: Casey Silver
Composer: David Buckley
Studio: Weinstein Company

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Reviews for The Forbidden Kingdom

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121 - 123 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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An unabashedly innocent, wide-eyed movie selling the ultimate in martial arts fantasy. It delivers beautifully.

Full Review Source: CinemaBlend.com | comment Comment
04/09/08
Joshua Tyler
Joshua Tyler
CinemaBlend.com

Kingdom is a stiff, disturbingly ill-conceived fantasy film more consumed with playing slack-jawed fanboy than telling a compelling story worthy of these two giants.

Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com | comment Comment
04/08/08
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com

Thank God Jackie Chan is still doing this. He brings back his drunken style, which even in a milder form is awesome.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment 28 Comments
08/07/07
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine
 
 
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Latest News for The Forbidden Kingdom

September 09, 2008: Kung fu fever and fluff mix it up with hordes of floating knights in shining armor with bad attitude, and just a little heavy on the dressing, courtesy of the costume department. Opens in new window
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May 01, 2008: Box Office Preview: Iron Man Launches Summer Movie Season
A hero flies into North American multiplexes aiming to kickstart what should be an explosive summer movie season. Paramount's Iron Man is first up to bat this year and is ready... More...

April 24, 2008: Box Office Guru Preview: Odd Couples Invade Multiplexes
Two new buddy comedies enter the marketplace during the final weekend of the spring box office hoping to cash in on what business is left in the last week before Iron Man flies... More...

April 20, 2008: Box Office Guru Wrapup: Chan and Li Rule Box Office Kingdom
Audiences were fired up for the first-ever showdown between martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li as their new fantasy actioner The Forbidden Kingdom opened at number one... More...

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