Everybody loves kung-fu fighting movies
If there ever was a movie where the supporting actors steal the
thunder right out from under the main character, it is
”
Forbidden Kingdom.
”
But when those supporting actors are powerhouse martial arts
performers Jet Li and Jackie Chan, it’s hard to keep viewer’s eyes
off of them.
Everybody loves kung-fu fighting movies
If there ever was a movie where the supporting actors steal the thunder right out from under the main character, it is “Forbidden Kingdom.” But when those supporting actors are powerhouse martial arts performers Jet Li and Jackie Chan, it’s hard to keep viewer’s eyes off of them.
The start of “Forbidden Kingdom” is choppy at best, but true martial arts fans will forgive writer John Fusco and director Rob Minkoff for moving the movie forward with a cheap rip-off of “The Neverending Story” intro. The stunning views of China, where many scenes were shot on location, and the moves of Li and Chan, make up for it.
To move the plot towards their main goal, the writer and director present young Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano) with a pack of bullies who persuade him to get them into the store of an old Chinese man who cashes checks. There, Jason picks up a golden staff that magically transports him to ancient China. Suddenly he finds himself in a foreign land where no one speaks his language and where warriors are after him.
He quickly makes the acquaintance of Lu Yan (Jackie Chan), who claims to be an immortal whose elixir is wine. Lu Yan tells Jason the story of the staff and how it was stolen from a Monkey King, who was imprisoned in stone by the Jade Warrior who rules the Forbidden Kingdom. The warrior became jealous of the Monkey King when he crashed a party with the Jade Emperor, who returns to the kingdom only once every 500 years. The Warrior challenges the Monkey to combat, but doesn’t play fair.
There was a prophecy that a man would come to return the staff to its rightful owner. No one, however, thought it would be a dorky kid from 21st century Boston.
Though Jason is obsessed with kung-fu movies and martial arts videogames, he doesn’t know anything about the moves. He is soon helped along by Lu Yan, a beautiful young girl named Golden Sparrow (Yifei Liu) and a silent monk (Jet Li.) Even though Chan and Li are well into middle age, their fighting scenes make the movie worthwhile.
Kung-fu and martial arts movies have long been a guilty pleasure of many Americans, myself included. While Jackie Chan and Jet Li both made names for themselves long before they ever stepped foot in a Hollywood movie, I first saw Chan in 1997 in “Rumble in the Bronx.”
I had just returned to college after winter break and my boyfriend at the time dragged me to the theater with a friend of his. I didn’t really know what I was in for. Chan barely spoke English and didn’t act too well, but the fight scenes were funny and well choreographed. I became a fan of martial arts movies. I’ve watched Chan evolve into a better actor and always skilled choreographer.
So I already had a liking for films with kung-fu moves when Jet Li made his American debut with “Romeo Must Die.” The plot is simple in this Romeo and Juliet remake. Han Sing is an ex-cop who is investigating the murder of his brother when he meets the daughter of an American mob boss who likely played a hand in his brother’s death. The two fall for each other.
Like my not-so-secret pleasure in watching dance movies, the thing I love about martial arts is the way these performers have such coordination and strength to do what they do.
The best film in its genre I have seen to date, however, remains “Hero.” I saw the movie a couple years before it was officially released in the United States since a Chinese friend of mine got a copy from overseas, where it was already out on DVD.
Before China had an emperor, factions warred with each other in the six kingdoms. The most powerful ruler Qin had long lived in fear of assassination. When a lowly official (Jet Li) defeats his three main enemies, he arrives at the palace to share the story of how he defeated Broken Sword (Tony Leung), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) and Sky (Donnie Yen). The nameless hero (Li) tells the story three times and each time the story changes. The music and scenery make for a beautiful backdrop for the duel scenes – it can hardly be called fighting, as it looks so much like a dance.
There is a grace in the story of “Hero” that isn’t as obvious in “Forbidden Kingdom,” but the one thing that is always true in kung-fu and martial arts movies is that the good guys always win.
“Forbidden Kingdom” is now playing in theaters. “Hero,” “Romeo Must Die” and “Rumble in the Bronx” are available on DVD.
For a complete listing of new releases showing locally, go to www.pinnaclenews.com. and click on entertainment.
“Forbidden Kingdom” Starring Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Michael Angarano
