Forbidden Kingdom, The

While hunting down bootleg kung-fu DVDs in a Chinatown pawnshop, Jason makes an extraordinary discovery that sends him hurtling back in time to ancient China. There, Jason is charged with a monumental task: he must free the fabled warrior the Monkey King, who has been imprisoned by the evil Jade Warlord. Jason is joined in his quest by wise kung fu master Lu Yan and a band of misfit warriors including Silent Monk. But only by learning the true precepts of kung fu can Jason hope to succeed – and find a way to get back home.

Director: Rob Minkoff  

Genres: Action/Adventure and Science Fiction/Fantasy

Running Time: 1 hr. 53 min.

Cast: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Liu Yifei, Michael Angarano, Collin Chou, Li Bingbing, Ni Chang

Lay hated this one, I think mostly because he didn’t like that a Caucasian had to some in and save the oriental way of life. I thought the tale was cute if a little silly and predictable at times. As you might expect, the fight scenes were very well done, but that’s what this movie is about of course.

The cinematography was excellent, and the music was the right fit. His nephews would love it, but I would have preferred to rent it and watch it.

[ratings]