Spring Break
Li, Chan Team Up For Kung Fu Film 'Kingdom'
Movie Review
Natalie Abreu
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Focus
When the film genre of "kung fu" comes to mind, two names automatically spring out like a whopping kick to the gut: Jet Li and Jackie Chan. Though both have proven masters of the genre in martial arts choreography and skills, "The Forbidden Kingdom" is the first time in which these two living legends meet on the silver screen. Full of laughs, thrills and awesome kung fu, this film proves to be an enjoyable ride for both general audiences and kung fu die-hards alike.
Though the trailer would have it appear to be a typical kung fu film in which evil forces need the power of two kung fu masters to be defeated in ancient China, "Forbidden Kingdom" both embraces the traditional plotlines of kung fu and adds a whole new twist to the story. The film is being marketed as a meeting of kung fu legends, but the real plot of the film is a surprise. Beginning in Boston, the film introduces a bumbling and awkward kung fu-obsessed teen named Jason, played by Michael Angarano of "Sky High." Then the audience then gets transported into the mystical kung fu-centered world of ancient China after Jason buys a mystical staff from a pawn shop owner (Jackie Chan, in his first of two roles in the film). Though it might seem hokey to have the film have an American twist, taking away from the original Chinese filmmaking style, the film definitely tips its hat to the Chinese style of film, even filming scenes in China and having renowned kung fu choreographer Yuen Wo Ping create breathtaking fights between the two martial arts legends, Chan and Li.
Throughout his journey in this strange world, Jason encounters a band of warriors, including a drunken fighter (Chan) who acts as a Chinese kung fu version of Jack Sparrow, and a mysterious monk (Li). The chemistry between Li and Chan is something that adds to the experience of the film. As if in a buddy comedy, Chan and Li both use their acting talents to balance out their effectiveness as a duo. Chan, as a drunken master, plays for laughs while Li, a solemn monk, proves to be the straight man, knowing when to get a task at hand done. Along with an orphaned girl, the motley crew aim to defeat the evil warlord Jade (Collin Chou) and free the Monkey King (Li).
The director of this film, Rob Minkoff, has an eye for a multi-layered stories and visuals as seen through his previous films, "Stuart Little" and "The Lion King." This film echoes Minkoff's two other films in that he knows when to use different elements such as humor, adventure, dialogue and kung fu fights - to progress and tell a fantastic story.
Although not perfect, this film proves to be an experience and definitely worth watching, at some point. Watching Li and Chan fight on the silver screen is an experience to treasure. On DVD, you will stop and play those amazing fights sequences over and over again and admire the fact that this film puts two amazing kung fu film legends on the same screen.
Contact Natalie Abreu at Natalie.Abreu@UConn.edu.
Though the trailer would have it appear to be a typical kung fu film in which evil forces need the power of two kung fu masters to be defeated in ancient China, "Forbidden Kingdom" both embraces the traditional plotlines of kung fu and adds a whole new twist to the story. The film is being marketed as a meeting of kung fu legends, but the real plot of the film is a surprise. Beginning in Boston, the film introduces a bumbling and awkward kung fu-obsessed teen named Jason, played by Michael Angarano of "Sky High." Then the audience then gets transported into the mystical kung fu-centered world of ancient China after Jason buys a mystical staff from a pawn shop owner (Jackie Chan, in his first of two roles in the film). Though it might seem hokey to have the film have an American twist, taking away from the original Chinese filmmaking style, the film definitely tips its hat to the Chinese style of film, even filming scenes in China and having renowned kung fu choreographer Yuen Wo Ping create breathtaking fights between the two martial arts legends, Chan and Li.
Throughout his journey in this strange world, Jason encounters a band of warriors, including a drunken fighter (Chan) who acts as a Chinese kung fu version of Jack Sparrow, and a mysterious monk (Li). The chemistry between Li and Chan is something that adds to the experience of the film. As if in a buddy comedy, Chan and Li both use their acting talents to balance out their effectiveness as a duo. Chan, as a drunken master, plays for laughs while Li, a solemn monk, proves to be the straight man, knowing when to get a task at hand done. Along with an orphaned girl, the motley crew aim to defeat the evil warlord Jade (Collin Chou) and free the Monkey King (Li).
The director of this film, Rob Minkoff, has an eye for a multi-layered stories and visuals as seen through his previous films, "Stuart Little" and "The Lion King." This film echoes Minkoff's two other films in that he knows when to use different elements such as humor, adventure, dialogue and kung fu fights - to progress and tell a fantastic story.
Although not perfect, this film proves to be an experience and definitely worth watching, at some point. Watching Li and Chan fight on the silver screen is an experience to treasure. On DVD, you will stop and play those amazing fights sequences over and over again and admire the fact that this film puts two amazing kung fu film legends on the same screen.
Contact Natalie Abreu at Natalie.Abreu@UConn.edu.
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