The Forbidden Kingdom (2-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray]

Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Yifei Liu, Collin Chou

Lions Gate, 2008, Blu-ray

Product Description

Individually, they've starred in the most adrenaline-pumping martial-arts adventures ever. Together for the first time, Jet Li and Jackie Chan join forces to create the greates epic of them all- THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM. As ancient Chinese warriors, they must train and mentor a 21st century kung-fu fanatic who's been summoned to fight a centuries-old battle and free the imprisoned Monkey King. If you're a fighting fan, the wait is over. The team is ready. The Kingdom has arrived.

Getting martial-arts superstars Jet Li and Jackie Chan together in the same action film is like a fantasy come true, even if The Forbidden Kingdom is more of a children's movie than an instant kung-fu classic. Yes, Li and Chan square off in a lengthy, acrobatic fight scene that is a lot of fun, though it can't be what such a scene might have been even a decade ago: careful editing now compensates for the 54-year-old Chan's slower moves and reflexes. Still, Chan doesn't disappoint as Lu Yan, a drunken immortal in ancient China who mentors a modern-day American kid, Jason (Michael Angarano), the latter having slipped into the past while in possession of a magical staff that belongs to the imprisoned Monkey King (Li). In order to get back to his own time and help an old friend (also Chan) wounded by thugs, Jason accompanies Lu Yan and a lovely warrior, Golden Sparrow (Liu Yifei), on a journey to return the staff. Along the way, a (mostly) silent monk (Li, again), who has spent his life in search of the staff, joins their mission. He helps Lu Yan train Jason in fighting and adding more muscle to the party as it comes under siege from a violent witch (Li Bing Bing) and pathological warlord (Collin Chou). Screenwriter John Fusco (Hidalgo) and director Rob Minkoff (The Haunted Mansion) have made a slightly chintzy, Western version of a Chinese swords-and-sorcery tale. The gravity-defying, flying-through-the-air-while-fighting choreography looks pretty choppy and graceless compared to, say, the martial arts films of Zhang Yimou. But The Forbidden Kingdom is really aimed at kids, not aficionados of epic fight movies. On that score, the movie aims to please and does so for the right audience. — Tom Keogh

Beyond The Forbidden Kingdom on DVD

The Forbidden Kingdom Soundtrack

Stills from The Forbidden Kingdom (click for larger image)

Product Details

Title: The Forbidden Kingdom (2-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray]
Sales Rank: 546 in DVD
Actor: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Yifei Liu, Collin Chou
Director: Rob Minkoff
Studio: Lions Gate, 2008-09-09, Theatrical Release: 2008
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, Acpect Ratio 2.40:1
Languages: English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Running Time: 113 minutes
Package Dimensions: 6.6 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches, 0.22 pounds

Customer Reviews

Very good!: I enjoyed seeing Jackie Chan and Jet Li on screen at the same time. The movie is very engaging, and the martial arts are top rate.
If I had any complaint it would be that it was just too short. More reviews

Fun & silly Kung Fu fantasy: Jackie Chan makes a great drunken mystic, and Jet Li is as good as ever in this very entertaining film. The setpieces are great and there are quite a few good laughs involved in this movie. It is aimed at kids, but it's still good fun and well worth watching. More reviews

Definitely for a younger audience ...: I love me some Crouching Tiger-ish Kung Fu movies. I've had my eye on The Forbidden Kingdom since it came out, considering the film teamed up Jet Li AND Jackie Chan- two favs for me!- in a fantasy type period piece.
I, for one, wasn't disappointed although, because it seems to be targeting a younger audience doesn't hit the caliber of some other recent… More reviews

The Forbidden Kingdom: A nice light fantasy adventure movie with some Kung Fu fighting thrown in as well. This is not meant to be a serious kick tail Kung Fu movie. If you thought that you will be disappointed. It is much more serious than "Karate Kid", but it has a fair amount of humor thrown in initially. It is meant to be a movie the family can enjoy and they will. A nice mix of modern… More reviews

Below Average Kung Fu Movie!: I saw this movie couple times and both DVD and in the theatre. On average, this movie is below any kung Fu Movie either from China, Hong Kong or even Kung Fu Panda! Let me explain.
1. The main character Jason - the American kid he might be a teen ager, neither he is cute or handsome. I don;t why the director chose this guy,… More reviews