From a philosophical viewpoint it’s fitting that the inaugural movie to unite martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li is a fantasy film for young teenagers.
Its primary intent is to celebrate the dynamic artistry of the two masters against an appropriately mythic narrative background.
After finding an ancient staff in a Chinatown pawnshop, bullied teen Jason (played Michael Angarano) wakes up in ancient China to discover that he is the "seeker" chosen to return the magical staff to the immortal Monkey King who has spent the past 500 years as a stone statue.
Jet Li has dual roles as the furry-faced Monkey King, and as a monk who teams up with Jackie Chan’s drunken master Lu Yan to train Jason in the Kung Fu skills necessary to battle the evil immortal warlord waiting atop a group of impossibly high mountains.
"The Forbidden Kingdom" may not be "Enter the Dragon," but it’s not supposed to be.
Rated PG-13. 113 mins.
