STORY STUDY - MEDIUM: FILM - “The Forbidden Kingdom”
I have previously written posts about a Jet Li film and a series literally titled “Jackie Chan Adventures.”
It’s only fitting that I bring the (as of right now) one and only film that featured both of the two martial arts stars: The Forbidden Kingdom.
Directed by Rob Minkoff and written by John Fusco, The Forbidden Kingdom tells the story of teenager Jason Tripitikas, an avid martial arts movie fan. One night, he is forced by a gang to rob the pawn shop that he frequents. Jason encounters the staff of Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, the same one from the Chinese novel, Journey to the West. The staff takes him to ancient China; specifically, an ancient China where magic exists.
He is saved by Lu Yan, a traveling scholar. He agrees to help Jason return home, since the Monkey King’s rival, the Jade Warlord, will be after the staff. In order to do that, they have to return the staff to its original owner: the Monkey King, whom the Warlord is keeping captive.
Along the way, they meet Golden Sparrow, who wants revenge against the Jade Warlord and a silent monk, who wants the staff for reasons he never explains.
The four goes off on a Wizard of Oz-like journey to find the Jade Warlord, and save the Monkey King.
Throughout the film, Lu Yan and the Silent Monk have taken it upon themselves to train Jason in martial arts and how to use the staff.
While the Jade Warlord isn’t an active villain, he does have someone who does the hunting: Ni-Chang, the White Haired Witch, another literary character that has been adapted into many Chinese films and television shows.
As expected, the film takes the opportunity to have their top stars have a fight scene with each other, even if they are both on the same side. The fight choreography is beautiful and brutal. You can almost feel the punch when one of them gets punched.
Speaking of beauty, the film is just filled with beauty. The set design is grand and epic, the costumes are unique for each character, and the scenery of ancient China, with its mountains and forests, just pop with its colorfulness.
I think it’s pretty obvious why I was glad this movie existed and I was in a rush to go see it. Sadly, it doesn’t get much praise, especially not in China. After all, it’s an English language film set in China and its sensibilities as a film fits more for an American audience, not a Chinese/Asian audience.
Plus, with all the controversies that keeps revolving around Caucasian leads leading an Asian cast (examples include The Last Samurai and the Zhang Yimou film The Great Wall) it’s no surprise why no one wants to acknowledge this film.
For me, I was just happy that two martial arts stars got to star in a film together, even if they aren’t the protagonist. But, that just makes it so neither one overshadows the other. The protagonist, Jason, sees and admires these two fighters; he sees them as equals, thus the audience should do the same. I can understand if someone would prefer seeing a film where Chan and Li played dual protagonists in a film, but I feel like if they were to partner up again, The Forbidden Kingdom is a great way to build the foundation of their chemistry together.
Take the journey, and check it out.
