The Forbidden Kingdom - Review

This movie was excellent. And I agree that it felt like The Neverending Story with martial arts. I had mid-expectations for this movie, and it turned out to be wonderful. My only cripe with this movie was the stupid humor like the peeing scene, and some of the stupid language (but I blame that on them trying to cater to American audiences). I would have preferred that this movie originally be made in Chinese with English subtitles. Then they wouldn't have to add stupid jokes in order to cater to the American audience. American teenagers and Asian teenagers in other countries think and speak completely differently (and I'm not just referring to the obvious, like language).

I just saw the movie on an airplane crossing the Atlantic. I first opted for the Will Smith movie "Hancock" which was very disapointing, and then watched the Forbidden Kingdom. I had never heard of the movie so had no expectations. I Loved the Movie. I enjoyed the movie. No intellectual challanges here, however, very entertaining and heart warming. The movie is a fantasy, so you have to play along. I have always liked to play and this movie is fun. Good Job Jackie. I am sure your a good guy. Thank you.

I bought this movie 4 days ago and have already watched it twice. I'm thinking about watching it again... right now. It is a fun, fantastical, fighting fairytale! And ALL of the Chinese actors were hamming up the accent but someone would have to be a moron not to understand them.

I'm going to see the movie this week. And people, stop hating this movie! I'm sure the storyline sucks, but it's Jackie Chan! AND Jet Li! Have you ever even seen a Jackie movie? The story always sucks. (Except maybe for the classics like Drunken Master.) It's about the humor and the action. People who hated this movie, probably expected too much.

I enjoyed watching this movie. If you liked 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and 'The Neverending Story', you'll probably love it, it's that kind of story. Jackie Chan and Jet Li are both great, as is the main teenage actor.

I loved it, I didnt watch it on release because was fed up of the latest kungfu movies but this is a film for the whole family its really enjoyable jackie chan and jet li are legends.

The film is a feel good martial arts movie nothing over the top just perfect entertainment you wont be bored watching this one.

i think this movie is awesome. It's a modern twist to the classic monkey king. I advise you to watch the original monkey king before you watch this movie or else you'll think its corny or cheesy( which alot of clueless people do)
= I loved the part when
jet li urinated on jackie keke, and close to the ending when jet li fought the immortal and turned into one of the monkey king's strands of hair.

I really liked this movie. You must not expect a movie with a great story, but it was entertaining. They made the story of the monkey king more suitable for a western audience. The pissing scene was very funny, really jackie humor.

The thing with this movie is that you can't take it that seriously. If you go into it thinking you're watching an epic Chinese Kung Fu history movie with a deep and meaningful storyline then you'll probably be superbly disappointed. But for us who watch the movie just for the joys of watching a funny movie with awesome kung fu scenes then we'll enjoy it.

Also, I don't agree that a lot of Chinese people would find it that bad. My whole family, friends that have watched it thought it was okay (I'm Chinese). Like I said, as long as you don't take it seriously.

The accent problem. Well I complained a bit about it but I got used to it. And if I listened hard enough I understood enough.

If you notice some of the sayings that Jet Li and Jackie Chan say during the movie, they are actually really deep and meaningful Chinese sayings. I guess by Hollywoodifying the movie made it sound lame but they seriously do have deeper meanings.

Finally I just wanted to say that this movie is not that bad. It's not superb but its entertaining and the fighting, the setting (how beautiful was it) and the simplicity of the storyline makes it a movie worth watching. As long as you don't hold the presumption of it being something that its not.

Hey, I totally know Chan and Li, having watched their movies since childhood, and I didn't like the movie... It was boring, predictable and really a big waste of the J&J team-up. You don't need Jackie Chan and Jet Li together to make a movie for kids. And that's exactly what the Forbidden Kingdom is: an entertaining movie for parents to bring their children to.

Movie was entertaining & i recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good kung fu action w/ a comedy twist type of movie ... it was created for the american audience so the story line might be hard for some to follow but overall was great! ... as for all the critics & the "chinese movie fans" who gave it a bad review, do some research - understand the basis of the "monkey king" and the importance of his character in the chinese culture, watch an authentic actual chinese movie that had all the crazy special effects well before the matrix ever existed and you might begin to comprehend a little of what the story entails!

Quite possibly the worst movie I have ever seen in my life. A couple of the fight scenes were cool, but the story was just completely retarded.

As a Chinese movie fan, I watched it a week ago. I could tell from their faces that Chinese audiences were quite disappointed. Why? They simply hate the story.

he movie is great in the sense that it blends a western-style story and western life with oriental martial art, through the white boy. So I basically understand why it's popular in the US and other countries.

I read a few bad reviews but the kids wanted to see the movie so I took them. They had a great time and I must confess that I enjoyed it as well. When the movie ended the audience cheered.

It seems that some reviewers are so full of themselves that they miss the intent of some movies. Some times I wonder if they are really looking at the same movies as the rest of us are. If you have kids take them and they are likely to have a great time.

I really enjoyed the movie and like the previous person said it was the wizard of oz. Jackie does a good job as cowarsdly lion and jet li as the scarecrow.

i like this film
whery much
thenks for this

This film was better than expected. The attempt to Americanize Chinese legends is fraught with problems, but they pulled it off pretty well; the structure felt more like WIZARD OF OZ than ZU WARRIORS. Still, the casting and the choreography sold it to the audience.

Doesn't matter what the movie is even about, all that matters is that its Chan and Li in the same freckin movie!! Are you serious this is fantastic, now I can sleep at night,....hope Chan blows Li's grill out!

Overall the movie is good.
Though there where some english phrases/words spoken by the chinese actors which I didn't understand.

I'm not being racist or anything, i'm chinese too.

I disagree. I think his review is completely and utterly wrong. But, different people are going to have different opinions.

The urinating scene was hilarious... and somewhat in keeping with Jackie Chan's usual, somewhat silly comedic style. Again, I come back to the notion that the people hating this movie are people who have no idea who Jackie Chan and Jet Li even are.

Josh T, you are completely wrong.

Orndorf's review is dead-on about this awful film, and his points on the "Hollywooding" of the film are articulate and very true. Plus the urinating scene? Unforgivable.

You bash him because you're not ready to accept what he has to say, hiding behind tired arguments of "he doesn't get it." Hogwash.

"Kingdom" is a terrible motion picture. Orndorf is exactly right.

good to know it's family friendly. I may bring my kids too..

The kid in the movie is out of place. If it would have been just jackie and jet. the movie would be awesome.

Cant' wait to watch

hey this was really good now i want to go see this movie i tought it would be a movie that my dad would like more but know i really like it. it look really good and imm going to go see it with some friends