The Forbidden Kingdom
Headline: ** Eastern Mythology Meets West **
Title: THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
Quality: * * * Acceptability: -1
SUBTITLES:
WARNING CODES:
Language: L
Violence: VV
Sex: None
Nudity: None
RATING: PG-13
RELEASE: April 18, 2008
TIME: 113 minutes
STARRING: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Liu Yifei, Collin Chou, and Li Bing Bing
DIRECTOR: Rob Minkoff
PRODUCER: Casey Silver
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Ryan Kavanaugh, Yuen Wo Ping, Jon Feltheimer, and Rafaella De Laurentiis
WRITER: John Fusco
BASED ON THE NOVEL/PLAY BY: N/A
DISTRIBUTOR: The Weinstein Company and Lionsgate Films
CONTENT: (PaPa, FR, B, L, VV, AA, M) Strong pagan, slightly mixed, worldview with immortal characters and a couple allusions to Buddhism (including a God-figure who goes away to meditate), ethical monotheism, paganism, and Chinese folklore, plus some moral elements, including the defeat of an evil witch; four obscenities and one strong profanity mentions Jesus; strong action violence with a little blood includes martial arts duels with people being thrown against mountains and pillars, battle scenes, man shot with arrow, woman falls to her death, etc.; no sex scenes but one chase scene goes through building where men are with women, who might be Chinese prostitutes; no nudity; alcohol use and drunkenness; no smoking; and, tyranny rebuked and magical elixir can render one immortal.
GENRE: Martial Arts Fantasy
INTENDED AUDIENCE: Teenagers and adults
Please address your comments to:
Jon Feltheimer, CEO
Lionsgate AKA Lions Gate Films
(Roadside Attractions)
2700 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: (310) 449-9200; Fax: (310) 255-3870
Website: www.lionsgatefilms.com
SUMMARY: THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM is an Americanized martial arts fantasy dealing with Chinese mythological beings, in a story about a young modern American in ancient China who must return an ornate Chinese fighting staff to its rightful owner, the fabled Monkey King, who has been imprisoned by the evil Jade War Lord. THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM is a winsome, lively and lushly photographed action fantasy, but it requires caution and parental guidance for its mixture of allusions to Buddhism, ethical monotheism, paganism, and Chinese folklore.
IN BRIEF:
THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM is an Americanized martial arts fantasy dealing with Chinese mythological beings. In the story, an ornate Chinese fighting staff magically whisks a young American named Jason back to ancient China. There, Jason learns he must return the staff to its rightful owner, the fabled Monkey King, so the Monkey King can be freed from the powerful Jade War Lord who imprisoned him 500 years ago. Joining Jason's quest are three warriors, two of them played by international action stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Before they can challenge the Jade War Lord, Jason must learn how to use kung fu by training with Chan and Li's characters. Everything leads to a final battle with the Jade War Lord and his minions.
THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM is a winsome, lively and lushly photographed action fantasy that has exciting moments, especially in the climactic battle. The movie doesn't quite deserve four stars, however. Except for a couple oblique references to Buddhism and allusions to ethical monotheism and paganism, THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM mostly treats Chinese legends and mythology as a source of entertainment and fantasy. Nevertheless, caution and parental guidance are advised.
