Elena Morey
A&E Editor
In 2008, director Rob Minkoff and writer John Fusco created a Chinese-style, Western action film hybrid starring Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Michael Angarano. The “Forbidden Kingdom” is the perfect mix of Western action as well as utilizing Chinese-style combat, acting, imagery and mythology. White main character Jason (Angarano) is a young teen who is obsessed with old Chinese kung fu films and is transported back into traditional China to return the all-powerful staff to its rightful owner. Along the way, he meets Lu Yan (Chan), an old drunk master, and the Monkey King (Li), a silent monk, who attempt to teach him the real ways of martial arts and their various forms.
The film as a whole is a perfect blend between the two contrasting genres. The Chinese mythology is portrayed in proper style as well as bridging the culture gap for the more European and Western viewer. Meanwhile, the Western star makes the film feel approachable for all audiences. What the film does best is utilize Chinese and Asian actors on screen to promote authenticity. Actors Chan and Li enhance the film and bring their Western acting styles to their home-grown Asian styles. Their charisma and the great writing enhance the film as a whole.
The “Forbidden Kingdom” is a fantastic film for audiences to get into more Asian-style films without being taken aback by the stark style of combat and the almost “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” jumpy and flippy versions of hand-to-hand fighting. This graceful and flighty style is a strong staple of most Asian films, and the “Forbidden Kingdom” does not overdo the classic combat attribute. Instead, the director happily marries the realistic martial arts style as well as the supernatural powers of some of the characters to a more Western style of special effects and movie composition.
The soundtrack is beautiful and creates a vast expanse that matches the landscape of the film. It is subtle at times, but really enhances the overall atmosphere of the film. Furthermore, the attention to detail to create a convincing Chinese past takes the audience’s breath away. The first depictions of the landscape and environment makes the audience feelings parallel the main character’s feelings as he attempts to gather his bearings. At times, one forgets that this is a film and not a lens into the past.
Chan and Li’s characters offer some comedy gold and action vibrance to the film. Some scenes leave the audience giggling for minutes, whereas others leave viewers with their jaws agape. The two film legends really understand their characters, the significance of the Chinese mythology and the martial arts styles from the era. The two legends go head-to-head in one significant scene and it is truly stunning. Their display of power, grace and technique sets up the rest of the film for an action-packed ending. Furthermore, their love for the boy creates tension between them as they both desire to be his martial arts master.
As a whole, this film is the perfect step for a Western audience to experience an Asian-style film. Its difference is not too stark to turn an inexperienced viewer off, but inspires further curiosity into the genre that is more uncommon in the West and Europe.