Genre
Action/Adventure
Producer
Ryan Kavanaugh, Casey Silver
Distributor
Lionsgate
Release Date
Apr 18, 2008
Release Notes
Nationwide
Official Website
Review
In The Forbidden Kingdom, a teenage
martial-arts maven (Michael Angarano) passes through a portal in time
and is trained by Jackie Chan and Jet Li to go up against the Jade
Emperor and free the imprisoned imp-sage the Monkey King (also Li).
Having marveled at these stars in their prime, I’m too aware of the
occasional stunt double and the way the shots end right before what
would have been the most thrilling acrobatics. But now I sound like
Jade(d) Critic! Once past the clunky prologue, the film is great fun,
with a good balance between computer effects and athleticism. The best
part is when Chan resurrects his drunken-master fighting style and goes
hand-to-hand with the stoic but furious Li. Given their histories,
every blow lands like a caress.
— David Edelstein