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"The Forbidden Kingdom"
Running time: 110 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13
For decades, martial-arts movie fans have been dying to see an onscreen
match-up between Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Finally, in "The Forbidden
Kingdom," we've gotten our wish -- sort of.
I'm not saying "The Forbidden Kingdom" is a bad film. To the contrary.
It's a pretty enjoyable film, and the action scenes are awesome. It's
just that it would've been cooler to see Chan and Li do this 15 years
ago, when they were both in their prime. Still, I'd rather have "The
Forbidden Kingdom" than nothing at all.
The story: A dude named Jason (Michael Angarano) from modern-day Boston
gets his hands on a magical quarterstaff and is transported to a magical
and mythical ancient China, where he must deliver the staff to The
Monkey King (Jet Li), who has been turned to stone by the evil, immortal
Jade Warlord (Collin Chou). If he can free The Monkey King from his
magical prison, Jason can return home to Boston.
To aid Jason in his quest are a drunken master (Jackie Chan), a monk
(Jet Li again) and a beautiful and deadly musician named Golden Sparrow
(Liu Yifei). In their path are many perils, enemies, and worst of all, a
white-haired and beautiful witch named Ni Chang (Li Bing Bing). Will our
heroes succeed? Well, duh.
"The Forbidden Kingdom" is beautifully photographed, the fight scenes
are brilliantly choreographed and the acting is not too shabby, except
for Angarano, who looks too much like Shia LaBeouf, only with even less
talent and charisma -- a feat I didn't think possible. Thankfully, Li,
Chan & Co. have such powerful onscreen presences that Angarano's
shortcomings are only slightly annoying instead of totally ruining the
film.
"The Forbidden Kingdom" is definitely a fun matinee choice if you're
looking for an entertaining Saturday afternoon. Check it out.
GRADE: B-
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Summer Movie Preview
Even though we're starting with the traditional Memorial Day
weekend, the summer blockbuster season began earlier this month with
"Iron Man" and "Speed Racer" (two movies you need to check out).
This year looks like a pretty good crop of popcorn flicks: Heavy on
the CGI and special effects, and lots of stuff blowin' up real good.
Expect a huge number of comic-book-based movies.
Here's a list of the releases you should mark your calendars for:
MAY
 Indiana
Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull -- The final Indy
film. I don't care if Shia LeBeouf is in it and gonna stink up the
joint. I want to see Harrison Ford in that fedora one last time.
(May 22)
The Foot Fist Way -- It's a low-budget indie comedy about an inept
martial-arts instructor. I saw the trailer for it online and it
cracked me up. (May 30)
JUNE
You Don't Mess With the Zohan -- Adam Sandler stars as an
Israeli commando who fakes his death in order to come to America and
follow his dream of becoming a hairdresser. (June 6)
Kung Fu Panda -- Animated feature starring the voice of Jack
Black. Guess what it's about? (June 6)
The Incredible Hulk -- The second attempt in as many years to
jumpstart a franchise featuring the Big Green Smashy Thing. It's
starring Edward Norton, so who knows. I just hope it's better than
Ang Lee's version. (June 13)
Get Smart -- Steve Carrell takes a stab at filling the
phone-shoes of Don Adams' iconic klutzy spy, Maxwell Smart. Anne
Hathaway co-stars as Smart's long-suffering partner, 99. (June 20)
Wall-E -- The lastest Pixar animated extravaganza tells the
story of a lonely robot who finds love. (June 27)
Wanted -- "Matrix"y-looking action flick starring Angelina
Jolie as an assassin who can bend a bullet's trajectory so that she
can shoot around corners. (June 27)
JULY
Hancock -- Will Smith stars as a down-and-out superhero who needs a
public-relations makeover. (July 2)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army -- Guillermo del Toro's sequel to
the awesome "Hellboy." I've watched the trailer online about 10
times and every time it makes me squeeee. (July 11)
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