The Forbidden Kingdom

The Forbidden Kingdom is an outdated, unremarkable and unoriginal film. At the same time, however, it is harmless and without any specific mistakes, so there’s simply nothing to criticize. Despite that, I will probably only remember it because of the actors who appear in it. And I appreciate that the screenwriter treated them fairly, providing them with really nice roles that made use of their respective characters. (05/11/2008)

At first, I wondered why Rob Minkoff got the job, but as it started to follow the storyline of The Neverending Story, I regretted not being twelve because then I would have definitely appreciated it. The film was actually made for one scene, but it's unnecessarily overwrought and you’ll forget the rest of it with the closing credits. Minkoff is just a dry routinist that throws up one pretty image after another, but there’s nothing to it. The plot doesn't resolve much and Yuen Woo-Ping can't do much without wires. In an Asian production, it would have been the battle of the decade, but this is a fairy tale that I watched for less than two hours that doesn't entertain the kids and doesn't excite the adults. At least it went by fairly quick. (25/10/2008)

A fantasy fairy tale with a pleasant eighties feeling to it. It does try to be something it isn’t, but as a whole it's actually quite playful. For me, the experience of the expedition to the petrified Monkey King was determined mainly by nostalgia. If you manage to tune into the era when children’s movies like The NeverEnding Story (it has surprisingly much to do with it and it is no coincidence that it is mentioned so often here), Willow, or The Golden Child were popular, then you’re half way there. Plus, if you can fine-tune your nostalgia so precisely that you forget how agile Jet Li and Chan used to be, and that they can of course no longer bend like young branches, then you are completely good to go. In terms of physique, here they are merely a shadow of their former glory, but they are still absolutely enjoyable to watch with their charmingly imperfect English. The technical aspects are ok; the screenplay does not deviate from the confines of the genre; the musical selections are perfect; the pacing works overall; and so the only downright bad element is the actor in the main role, Michael Angarano. Even the German soccer team is more likable and has more charisma. He is no new Bastian. Overall, however, I was satisfied, although, as I have already mentioned, mainly thanks to that tricky beast that calls itself nostalgia. (31/05/2008)

NeverEnding Story with Chinese motifs. If it weren’t for Jet Li or Jackie Chan, I doubt the producers would have ever approved a screenplay like this. All possible clichés fill out the “journeying" breaks between fights which, luckily (thanks to Yuen Woo-Ping), are really good. Perhaps the next collaboration between Jet and Jackie will (allegedly for China) turn out better. This is just slightly above average. (25/05/2008)

At times it's more of a comedic farce than a solid action kung-fu movie, but Jackie Chan plays the drunkard so enthusiastically that it's impossible to be angry at him. The guys prove that they still know how to handle themselves excellently, and even though there are many shots (especially the entire Mythology) and scenes that could be seen as copied from The Lord of the Rings, the whole thing is so likeable and heartfelt that you are willing to turn a blind eye to the mess. Sometimes, I might imagine less flying and more solid action, but you cannot expect from Eastern warriors what is commonly done in Europe or in the US. (11/10/2008)

In order for it to be something truly special, it shouldn't be clichéd from the beginning. However, I simply like the legend of the Monkey King, whether it is presented in any version. The story is quite straightforward, but the fights are fantastic, which is due to the Chinese co-production. I really liked the exteriors, which are sometimes simply beautiful. Otherwise, I probably won't remember this movie for long. It's like "Karate Kid" tuned into a fantasy fairytale. (28/03/2014)