The Forbidden Kingdom

Name: The Forbidden Kingdom
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance
Released: April 18, 2008
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano

2008

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 114 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 114 Ratings

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Forbidden Kingdom

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Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: April 18, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano

Summary: While hunting down bootleg kung fu DVDs in a Chinatown pawnshop, Jason Tripitikas makes an extraordinary discovery that sends him hurtling back in time to ancient China. There, Jason is charged with a monumental task: He must free the fabled warrior the Monkey King, who has been imprisoned by the powerful Jade Warlord. Jason is joined inWhile hunting down bootleg kung fu DVDs in a Chinatown pawnshop, Jason Tripitikas makes an extraordinary discovery that sends him hurtling back in time to ancient China. There, Jason is charged with a monumental task: He must free the fabled warrior the Monkey King, who has been imprisoned by the powerful Jade Warlord. Jason is joined in his quest by wise kung fu master Lu and a band of misfit warriors including Silent Monk. But only by learning the true precepts of kung fu can Jason hope to succeed--and find a way to get back home. (Lionsgate)… Expand

Director: Rob Minkoff

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

Michael Sragow

Kung fu purists may scoff, but escapists with a sense of humor should romp through The Forbidden Kingdom. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

To see the two of them on screen together, even past their primes, is a delight. Read full review

A.O. Scott

A faithful and disarmingly earnest attempt to honor some venerable and popular Chinese cinematic traditions. Read full review

Empire Helen O'Hara

The missing link between '00s wushu, '80s kids' fantasy and '70s chop-socky, this manages to be thoroughly entertaining - and the face-off between Chan and Li is worth the entrance price alone. Read full review

Nick Pinkerton

Taken as a whole, though, it's an amiable lost-and-found of epic-adventure tropes. As I still illogically treasure "Willow," many a 10-year-old who sees Forbidden Kingdom will remember it fondly in spite of its flaws. Read full review

Stephen Farber

Will please its core audience but won't enthrall anyone over the age of 16. (Even that might be stretching the point.) Read full review

Adam Markovitz

This kingdom really should be forbidden. Read full review

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User Reviews

AaronF.

Apr 21, 2008

I think it was absolutely brilliant. The style was a lot of fun to watch, and they handled a plot that could have been incredibly cheesy with a lot of finesse and believability. From a critical standpoint, they did a great job with this movie in the atmosphere they intended. In reviewing I think it was absolutely brilliant. The style was a lot of fun to watch, and they handled a plot that could have been incredibly cheesy with a lot of finesse and believability. From a critical standpoint, they did a great job with this movie in the atmosphere they intended. In reviewing any movie, you have to consider what the intent of the movie was before you decide if it was good "for you". More critics (at least profession ones) need to learn to review from the point of view of the intended audience, not the reviewer him/herself, to decide whether the movie was good.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

CatS

Jun 19, 2008

I thought this movie was tremendous. I love martial arts flicks, and this one was funny, well-acted, and had lots of nods to fans of the two leads. I enjoyed the heck out of it!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Vhin

May 29, 2018

The story is to return the staff to the right owner. Great movie. Full of action. A decent martial arts movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

HuaweiW

May 4, 2008

Pretty good. The fighting was exciting, the dialogue was interesting, and the concept was excellent. Unfortunately the movie felt kind of rushed to me. It was too short and if it was to be really good it should have been lengthened to a trilogy.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

spadenx

Dec 29, 2011

It was ok suprisingly. The action was good and it was great to finally see Chan and Li fight against each other in a film. The plot was alright but it was just a bit too stupid at times. Overall though it was entertaining and worth the watch.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Zilcell

May 26, 2012

Jet Li and Jackie Chan's combination of powerful performances combined with decent storytelling make this a decent action movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

William

Aug 1, 2008

I desperately looked forward to this and was thoroughly disappointed. The story was garbage, the kiddie lead annoying, and they didn't give Li or Chan enough quality fighting time.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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