The Screening Room
Specially written for What's Up
A magical tale that's a little more "bedtime story" than it is hardcore martial arts mania, "The Forbidden Kingdom" combines the legendary forces of Jet Li and Jackie Chan in a teen-friendly fight flick — after school special-style.
Written by John Fusco ("Hidalgo") and directed by Rob Minkoff ("Stuart Little"), the film follows Jason (Michael Angarano, "Sky High"), a martial arts-obsessed loner who's run-in with a gang of thieves sends him on a journey to right the wrong against burglarized pawn-shop owner Hop (Chan, in a turn reminiscent of Billy Crystal's Miracle Max). Transported through time and space, Jason finds himself in an unknown world, where great adventure and an intoxicated new friend lie before him.
Drunken Lu Yan (also Chan) takes Jason under his booze-soaked wing, and with a little help from the Silent Monk (Li) and the hauntingly beautiful Golden Sparrow, who refers to herself in the third person, they set off on their quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King (also Li).
Confused yet?
The movie tries to balance a host of subplots and mini dramas and winds up lagging in pace. But while some of the humor seems cheap — perhaps girded for all ages - at other times you can't help but laugh at the heart behind it. Angarano's acting is surprisingly on-mark, and he lends the film a natural feel.
As the evil Jade Warlord says to the Monkey King, "martial arts is based on deception." In this case, fight scenes with the aging Chan and Li are at times as realistic as "Space Jam," while at other times the action will keep lovers of the genre jockeying for a better seat.
Jason & Co. must travel to Five Elements Mountain, a Hogwarts-on-steroids fort where the Monkey King awaits freedom and the ability to rid the realm of the dreaded Jade warriors. Shenanigans plague their path as wondrous special effects display the fantastical world.
Chan and Li's match-up hits an endearingly comical note, and Jason turns out to be a bit like Dorothy in Oz. His adventure — and the mismatch of characters he meets throughout it — are perfect for kids, or just the kid inside you.
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