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The Forbidden Kingdom

The Forbidden Kingdom

2008
Comedy
Fantasy
1h 44m
An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself traveling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King. (imdb)
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The Forbidden Kingdom

2008
Comedy
Fantasy
1h 44m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 36.72% from 1728 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1728)
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Rated 15 May 2008
50
26th
Angarano is totally uninteresting and unconvincing as a hero, the dialog is simply atrocious, and the dramatic performances are universally awful. But it has Jackie Chan fighting Jet Li, and that alone is enough to make this film worth seeing once. Otherwise it's a massive letdown filled with lame, childish fantasy. I would LOVE this if I was 10.
Rated 18 Jul 2009
8
1st
I think this did everything within its power to piss me off. This piece of Orientalist shit combined the plots of the Monkey King, Zu Warriors (look it up) and Wizard of Oz into a racist masturbation session on the joys of everything Asian while simultaneously sucking the life out of its subject. I mean, Li and Chan are finally in a film together, and it has the audacity to have Li pissing into Chan's mouth for laughs. Kids' movie my ass.
Rated 13 Apr 2016
53
21st
Blindingly generic. The only highlight is Jackie Chan and Jet Li's fight, which is, of course, incredibly awesome.
Rated 18 Jun 2008
40
11th
The dopey "Forbidden Kingdom" exists purely as a wide-eyed kid's adventure of martial-arts sequences. Forget the teaming of Jet Li and Jackie Chan as anything special here, it's not. We see the two duke it out "Crouching Tiger" style, all done in the name of cheese and marketing. The plot only hangs loosely to connect the fight-sequence dots from one to the next, and while well-choreographed, they don't sustain the film.
Rated 07 Dec 2011
59
38th
Lesson to Americans: If you're going to make a hugely anticipated martial arts movie with the two biggest names in said genre, DON'T HAVE A WEASEL OF A BOY BE THE LEAD CHARACTER.
Rated 22 Apr 2008
3
28th
It's very much the Americanized, junk-food version of the typical wuxia formula, with a Mary Sue protagonist, a cleaner good vs. evil divide, and much broader fantasy and comic elements. But I don't necessarily say that as a bad thing, because I found it fairly easy-to-watch and entertaining, and I definitely enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than Curse of the Golden Flower. And of course, Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li.
Rated 22 Dec 2012
30
33rd
A few decent fight scenes, but nothing new. The shoehorned-in modern American dork who travels back to ancient China feels forced and unnecessary, and the plot is generic fluff. Chan and Li finally battle it out onscreen, yet all I can remember is Li pissing into Chan's mouth. Drinking pee as the standout moment in the script should be a sure sign to everyone involved that they're making a bad movie.
Rated 13 Mar 2011
63
34th
These two should have been in a straight up kung fu movie 15 years ago. Instead they are thrown into this muddled fantasy. Still they fight and it is pretty interesting to see.
Rated 14 Mar 2015
1
20th
From the lame shoe-horning of a white lead into something based on trad chinese tales, to the orange and teal wire-fu this was no good.
Rated 15 Jun 2008
55
26th
i was expecting something on the lines of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Not some kids movie. Good fight scenes and lots of different fighting styles.
Rated 23 Apr 2008
64
52nd
Not bad. Goofy, yet aware of its own cheese. Pretty enjoyable, actually.
Rated 30 Sep 2012
54
23rd
Off the cliche-ometer. Absolute waste of the dazzling array of quality elements available.
Rated 10 May 2009
64
36th
Not as great as I'd expected considering the film featured both Jackie Chan and Jet Li. I honestly think the film would have had more potential without the modern day American geek in it, but the story was a refreshing take on an oriental classic regardless. Still, for a kung-fu film it wasn't awful, and if you're a fan of martial arts movies, or especially Jackie Chan films, then this one is on par with most.
Rated 26 May 2008
55
53rd
It really is a *kids* movie, but the fight between Li and Chan in the temple was such a treat I would pay the ticket price again just for that. Jet Li proved once again that he is an actual actor, in addition to a martial arts master.
Rated 12 Aug 2009
72
35th
Expecting the first uniting of the two most famous martial arts actors today would be more of a climactic battle between titans, I was disappointed to find them playing cartoon cutouts following a pubescent douche though mythical china.
Rated 13 Jun 2008
35
5th
As a child movie this might work, but I was interested in seeing these two martial arts masters in one good, serious movie. Instead it was all too goofy, not so funny, cheesy, with still great fight careographies which was the only thing that kept me watching till the end.
Rated 21 May 2008
71
60th
Better than it should have been but I really would have liked to see Jackie and Jet meet up 10-15 years earlier.
Rated 01 Jun 2009
60
57th
This movie is as generic as it's title. It's not bad but that's about all I can say about it. The monkey king would be a better title though.
Rated 01 Jun 2008
86
48th
Not bad. Anytime people are actually fighting, the movie's pretty fun. Great fight choreography, pretty good camera work, great locations. The plot, however, is a mess, and I wasn't exactly blown away by the American kid. It's like they wanted to have every single Hong Kong movie cliche going on at once -- EVERYONE is a "mysterious stranger with no past", and there's an "orphaned girl on a quest for vengeance". It's both too complicated and feels like it's on rails.
Rated 08 Aug 2012
50
11th
A great example of how entirely ignorant and horrible Hollywood treats with Asian stars. However, I do think the creators of the film were genius in tapping into the ultimate white-man fantasy: two legendary warriors are fighting over who can train you, the clueless suburban warrior, in martial arts while an exotic cute Asian girl has eyes only for you while you save her savage kingdom because you are "the chosen one."
Rated 06 Sep 2008
70
49th
A generally enjoyable experience, despite the film's silly nature. It commits to being a little ridiculous, which makes it okay in my book.
Rated 31 Jul 2008
45
31st
I am not a great fan of this genre. For the one who likes the style, certainly it is going to like. The movie has good scenes of fight and a fantastic photography, showing several sceneries of China. Jet Li and Chan are good and funny here. But I have the impression, of which it might be better, if it focused the history only in the China.
Rated 04 Jul 2009
71
43rd
Enjoyable silliness with some great martial arts on display.
Rated 18 Jul 2008
73
52nd
Fun, but not very memorable. If you like movies in which a white guy undergoes strenuous training to learn martial arts, and this training is played for comic effect, then you'll love this film. If not, then stay away.
Rated 19 May 2008
70
80th
Michael Angarano is like the worst actor to pick for that part, had something of a karate kid that didnt want the job, the movie was actually below average when it comes to wuxia movies, but you just have to love the jackie chan vs. jet li fight, jackie chan doing the drunken master again and jet li as monkey king was amazing, never thought he could be that "funny"
Rated 01 Jul 2008
76
53rd
Kick assery galore!
Rated 24 Nov 2018
10
0th
How do you mess up having both Jackie Chan and Jet Li in a film? By making the lead character an anemic white American teenager. That's the start of what makes this film so disappointing.
Rated 25 Dec 2013
64
37th
This hotly-anticipated pairing of martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li features dazzling fight scenes but is weighed down by too much filler.
Rated 20 Apr 2017
4
19th
Would have been much more enjoyable if either Jackie Chan or Jet Li was the protagonist instead of some bland mary sue white kid.
Rated 06 Nov 2012
80
50th
Heavily underrated film O-fuckin-K the plot sux and the movie is full of cliches, we all know. But where else can you see drunken-fist Jackie Chan against Jet Li? Pretty neat action scenes.
Rated 24 Apr 2008
72
20th
Good, silly, clichéd fun.
Rated 27 Jul 2008
30
20th
Can't really think of anything good to say about The Forbidden Kingdom except that it had few nice looking fight scenes.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
30
3rd
The only thing this movie had going for it was Yuen Woo-Ping's fight choreography, even if he did repeat himself in some places (DRUNKEN MASTER, anyone?). Still, it tried too hard to be a Shaw Bros. film, THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, and THE MATRIX all rolled up into one. And, don't get me started on the race thing...
Rated 29 Aug 2015
100
91st
Along the journey he meets several people who accompany him on his journey. First is the drunken master, Lu Yan (Jackie Chan), an immortal who must stay drunk to stay vital. Next is a young woman, Golden Sparrow (Yifei Lui) who was orphaned when the evil warlord killed her parents. She is set on revenge. And then there is the Silent Monk (Jet Li), who is also a fallen star. Their path is blocked by Bing Bing Li (Ni Chang), a witch with powers to kill them all.
Rated 23 Jun 2008
7
5th
I do not like Jet Li humour. At all. Actually it makes me mad. Waste of time. Easy martial arts movie for masses.
Rated 22 Jul 2010
30
11th
i would have liked it to be much darker to see 2 of my beloved action heros duking it out. not the childish shit they were doing.
Rated 27 Jul 2008
20
7th
A few neat battles aren't enough to save a movie that's badly acted and written and just horribly directed.
Rated 13 May 2009
70
47th
Finally Jet Li and Jackie Chan in the same movie!!!! This is a good little fantasy film with likeable characters and great action scenes. Jet Li seems to love playing the part of the Monkey King. Although this may not be everyones cup of tea as it is aimed at younger audiences it does remind you of how and why you came to love kung-fu movies as a child. And if you ever did fall into a fantasy world and get taught kung-fu then you could do better than these two
Rated 13 Feb 2013
35
38th
A poor plot and with J.Chan and J.Li past their prime, but they and Yuen Woo-ping's action-choreography make those fight-sequences enjoyable enough; add in some good-looking scenery and ditto actresses and this isn't that unbearable. *Preview*: #13#, exp-3*, popcorn, story, cast, R2.
Rated 18 Dec 2008
74
48th
If you're between the ages of 5 and 8 and think ninjas drive around at night drifting in Hondas while drinking whatever the most popular energy drink of today is then this movie is for you. If not it's essentially two hours of a mildly mentally retarded white kid cramping Jackie Chan's and Jet Li's style. I also understand that if you have MAD KUNG FU SKILLS you can negate the laws of gravity, so I better start practicing.
Rated 27 Mar 2013
50
0th
Awful!
Rated 13 Nov 2010
85
49th
its about as good as a movie about a white kid who learns karate can be.
Rated 18 Apr 2009
20
9th
My GOD, I never thought I'd be able to yawn all the way through a movie. How could anyone squander both the potential of Jet Li AND Jackie Chan? Simply a dull and cliche kung-fu movie. Watch "Unleashed" instead.
Rated 06 Sep 2008
40
24th
Unremarkable in all respects but not really "bad" as such.
Rated 03 Mar 2009
50
13th
Production: The best. Action scenes: Very good but nothing new. History / script: Awful, Boring, dull, kill me for even write a script for this movie. So good money from production in a sooooooooo bad script... lame.
Rated 11 Dec 2012
64
29th
The definition of generic action. The amount of underwhelming this film throws at you is staggering if not genuinely frightening.
Rated 29 Nov 2008
65
19th
Awesome action, atrocious acting.
Rated 23 Mar 2009
70
42nd
Fun film on martial arts and kung fu films.
Rated 14 May 2008
49
20th
A mind numbing, childish martial arts movie..
Rated 01 Feb 2014
20
12th
As a fan of kung-fu, I'm surprised not only that I didn't like this, but that I abhorred it. Just terrible.
Rated 10 Nov 2008
69
65th
Like everyone else, I'm a bit annoyed by the apparently obligatory inclusion of an American boy who doesn't know crap about kung fu but has to learn. He doesn't add much of anything to this. Jet Li, however, is highly enjoyable as the impish Monkey King, and in his second role as a tough-as-nails monk soldier. It's also a real thrill to see Jackie Chan fight drunken style again. Parts of this are quite corny and predictable, but overall I enjoyed it very much.
Rated 10 Jan 2017
60
26th
This fantasy martial arts flick had its moments, and I was thrilled to see Jackie Chan and Jet Li face off, but the lack of real payoff gave me a sense of regret that it didn't happen years before when they were in their prime, and weren't given a Hollywood treatment.
Rated 18 Jun 2008
74
72nd
Loses points for mandatory white guy for western audiences.
Rated 14 Apr 2014
50
50th
The answer, I think, depends on the person watching, in part. And it depends on the story that's being told. And it depends on the writer who created the story. And the director who executes it. Nobody's ever been able to fully answer this question to the satisfaction of all interested parties. But I guarantee you that it's a question well worth asking all the same. (pluggedin.com)
Rated 06 Aug 2009
32
20th
A really WASTE OF TIME!
Rated 26 Jan 2009
70
54th
Great fantasy movie! Nice to see jackie chan and jet li in a movie together!
Rated 25 Nov 2011
65
39th
Worth seeing just for the fact that Jackie Chan and Jet Li are in the same movie, but it would've been a lot better if not for that phoned-in plot about how everything has to revolve around this white American guy. I guess because they think Americans don't care about a Chinese story, so it has to be made into an American story?
Rated 23 Aug 2010
40
16th
Solid fight scenes, and Li is the best choice for Sun Wukong since Stephen Chow, but I really could have done without the "how the white man saved China" subtext.
Rated 08 Apr 2011
66
23rd
While I enjoy the "Kung Fu Wizard of Oz" angle, this movie really doesn't hold up on a second viewing. The plot is simply too light to allow the action scenes to carry the film. You'd think with Jackie Chan and Jet Li co-starring that the movie would at least be fun, but it's kind of a slog.
Rated 04 Jan 2010
50
15th
Decent action, particularly an around 10 minute fight between Li and Chan, but nothing much else to write home about
Rated 12 Feb 2011
75
73rd
I found this movie to be a highly entertaining and fast paced action-fantasy.The fight scenes are frequent and quite well done,especially the end fights.Both Jet Li and Jackie Chan seem to revel in there roles.The story is good enough not deter from the action.
Rated 08 Feb 2009
75
41st
mixed feelings
Rated 24 Jun 2008
53
14th
Awesome kung-fu masters alone don't make a good movie. Inspiration from a great story and culture alone doesn't make a good movie. One bad director alone can certainly make a good movie bad. Sad :(
Rated 08 Feb 2009
50
30th
My second viewing left me disappointed in most of this film. If you just want to watch over the top, physics breaking Kung Fu (it does look fun) you should enjoy this. However, if you want an engaging story, interesting character development, and decent to good comedy go watch something else, like Kung fu Panda 1 & 2. The Forbidden Kingdom isn't horrible but it's also not good. Nit-Pick: found myself wishing the main character was asian, this one and Dragonball Fail. It's such a weird choice.
Rated 26 Jun 2008
50
35th
A great kids film with some incredible fight scenes, its about all its worth watching for.
Rated 23 Jun 2008
65
24th
A remake of "Karate Kid".
Rated 27 Apr 2008
74
46th
this wasnt terrable, although i would have done many things differently the kung fou scenes were pretty neat, Jackie Chan brought back the drunken master which i got a big kick out of that but I would have done the story a bit differently mostly the beggining, the end, and the damn white guy.
Rated 18 Mar 2011
57
23rd
a recycle story but charming performances
Rated 10 Jan 2011
5
0th
The Forbidden Kingdom's high-flying exhilaration strikes the right note for the first onscreen pairing of action-movie legends Jet Li and Jackie Chan.
Rated 23 Jul 2008
71
52nd
A pretty decent action flick.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
70
52nd
Fun.
Rated 22 Sep 2015
50
49th
An entirely forgettable story, choke full of stupid malarkey. The acting is campy & silly. Precious few good martial arts exchanges. At least there is Jackie Chan & Jet Li. Hokie magic, supernatural crap, immortality & other ridiculousness. Despite the garbage, it is somewhat watchable, if only for the few clever fights, elaborate costumes & sets, or the idiotic but sometimes humorous plot & dialog.
Rated 16 Nov 2008
28
21st
bad movie
Rated 26 Nov 2012
35
16th
This is just stylized pap at its worst. I mean, it has some cool fight scenes but that is sort of a given with both Li and Chan there. Otherwise, there is not really much that holds this movie together. But it leads nowhere and the acting is bland and the film is rushed and the concept of a time-travelling American teenager saving a holy Asian kingdom is just dumb. If you want a martial arts movie, don't watch this; then again, that should go for any martial arts labeled as "Chinese-American".
Rated 18 Jan 2009
70
31st
Finally Jackie Chan and Jet Li together. A good one.
Rated 02 Oct 2008
68
47th
This hits just about every cliche in the book but despite that (because of it?) it's quite accessible and fairly entertaining in it's simplicity.
Rated 28 May 2015
73
69th
nice score
Rated 25 Nov 2017
63
24th
The kung-fu is good, the white guy can fuck off though
Rated 04 Jul 2009
3
47th
Funny parts are funny (Jet Li pissing on Jackie Chan's head) and the serious parts are funnier. Action was good. If the Golden Swallow (lol) character were removed, could've been way better.
Rated 28 Dec 2008
59
26th
Never really takes off despite some decent ingredients.
Rated 20 Feb 2014
90
59th
The movie is the first work together by Jackie Chan and Jet Lee. Great fight scenes.
Rated 25 Jan 2023
75
48th
Definitely low to mid tier Jackie, but worthwhile for the HEAT equivalent confrontation between Li and Chan, and generally excellent production values, especially the rich and colourful cinematography (with some shots even echoing Minkoff’s own THE LION KING). Gets extra points for its straightforward and brisk introduction of the conceit and concept ala THE NEVERENDING STORY; Angarano can’t compete with his Eastern co-stars, but does a serviceable enough job as the bland, Skywalker-like hero.
Rated 27 Jan 2023
60
42nd
Feels like very watered down, babyfied, and regurgitated version of some kung fu myth movies. Big names in it are made to seem lesser as they leave room for a flat and uninteresting white kid coincidentally the chosen one who saves everyone. It doesn't help that the said kid looks like some 40 years old greasy diner cook. I guess kids can like it and not see the many flaws
Rated 19 Feb 2024
15
3rd
Stinky.
Rated 11 Sep 2017
6
3rd
2/4
Rated 26 Jan 2022
60
38th
The story is told terribly. The plot is never properly explained, nor are the characters' motivations, the start moves too fast, then the middle drags. Stakes are never established. The Jet Li -Jackie Chan fight was very good, the rest of the action was good but not amazing. Acting was preety bad too. Gets an 'alright' because of the kung fu but really just watch the Li-Chan fight on Youtube and skip the rest.
Rated 29 May 2015
65
31st
65.000
Rated 27 Apr 2013
60
58th
ger; [Forbidden Kingdom]; ein junge soll den stab des affenkönigs zurückbringen - dabei helfen ihm ein stummer mönch, eine junge kämpferin und ein trinker.;
Rated 16 Oct 2011
20
41st
"Forbidden Kingdom serves up convoluted mythology with mild indifference." - Nick Schager
Rated 06 Jan 2018
70
57th
Jackie Chan ve Jet Li kapışma sahnesi için bile tekrar izlenir.
Rated 02 Feb 2013
40
38th
What better way to introduce the world to the classic Chinese fable "Journey to the West" and the beloved Monkey King Sun Wu Kong, then to make it all about a little white American boy! WTF??
Rated 22 Oct 2016
87
79th
I love Jackie Chan and Jet Li, and when this movie first came out, it blew my freakin' mind...not so much anymore, but I still have mad respect for the cinematography, choreography, and musical score. I wish Jackie Chan and Jet Li worked on more projects together because even Jackie said he instantly felt chemistry with Jet Li and they didn't need to film their sequences over and over. It only took a few takes to get it right.

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