Forbidden Kingdom (2008)

Powell's Pick --
LOOKING FOR:

• 80's Adventure
• Good Natured Kung-Fu
• Safe for the Kids

MOM ALERT:

• Some crude language
• Street gang
• Kung-Fu Violence
  

DO NOT EXPECT:

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
• Hero
• Memoirs of a Geisha
  

EXPECT:

• Karate Kid
• Coming of Age Story (Where Kid Learns Responsibility)
• Way Fun Kung-Fu Movie
  

WHY WATCH IT?

• A really fun 80's movie with 2008 production values
  
• Jet Li and Jackie Chan in the same movie
• Badass White-Haired Kung-Fu Chick
  

At last, a return to the tried-and-true motif where the New Kid In Town is having a hard time fitting in, and is befriended by a Wise Man who teaches him the Way of Awesome, that he may Pick Up Chicks. Why this motif was left to die in the '80s, I will never know (but I suspect Karate Kid IV had something to do with it...) In any event, this film speaks out to the misfit youth in all of us, the one who always wanted to go to a fay away land and save the world. In the 90's, they gave us action heroes, but Forbidden Kingdom has once again entrusted the fate of the planet to a youth. And you know what? It's about damn time. -- POWELL

IN SUM: A great movie for the family, or for anyone who loved the child heroes of the '80s. Watch with like-minded friends for maximum enjoyment, or watch alone if your friends are snobs.
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Eidem Adds--
LOOKING FOR:

• Lighthearted Kung-Fu
• Nostalgic Comedy

WATCH OUT FOR:

• Slight Violence

DO NOT EXPECT:

• Once Upon A Time In China
• Legend of Drunken Master

EXPECT:

• The Karate Kid
• 3 Ninjas

WHY WATCH IT?

• Watch a 2008 Movie That Could Have Been Filmed In The 80’s

A movie that is very reminiscent of a time that was. Forbidden Kingdom is a story of a kid who adores kung-fu movies and wants to be like the heroes from those stories, but in reality is a nerd who gets picked on. Through mysterious happenings, he gets thrown into a world like the ones he loves and he must become more to save the day. Alongside him are two characters played by two of the greatest martial artists of our time, Jet Li and Jackie Chan. When I saw those two names attached to a movie, I was deadset on watching it. I was slightly disappointed in the fact that a movie with those two actors was not a martial arts epic. But once I got over that and started letting myself go into the story, I was brought back to a time when I was a kid who loved these types of movies. I would not recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a martial arts masterpiece, but anyone who is in the mood for a kid friendly kung-fu fantasy will not be disappointed. This is a movie that I will watch with my kids and feel safe that they are getting enjoyment and a good moral story. --EIDEM

IN SUM: If you are looking for Jet Li/Jackie Chan martial arts extraordinaire, then this is not your movie. If you are looking for an 80’s style, kid saves the day kung-fu move, you will be entertained.