Plot: What’s it about?
Jason (Michael Argarano) loves kung fu movies, he watches them like a religion and collects the videos, posters, and whatever else he can track down. As much as he loves to watch the epic martial arts battles, he never learned any of the disciplines he saw in the movies, however. A little training might not hurt either, since the bullies tend to pick on him and leave him beaten down. When he visits Hop’s pawn shop one day, he sees a bo staff that sparks his interest, since he has seen the weapon in his dreams. When he takes the staff, he finds himself transported into the past, to ancient China. There he meets Lu Yan (Jackie Chan), a beggar with a hidden persona who tells Jason the tale of the staff. He says legends tell of a seeker who travels through time to return the staff to its rightful owner, the Monkey King (Jet Li). But with no real martial arts skills and a drunken mentor, can Jason somehow fulfill this quest of destiny, or is he simply in over his head?
Talk about a dream team, this movie unites international action heroes Jackie Chan and Jet Li for the first time. As a fan of both, I couldn’t wait to see The Forbidden Kingdom. The result is a journey through a mythical landscape, but has a warmer tone than I had expected. An adventure movie at heart, The Forbidden Kingdom doesn’t forsake the action elements, as fight choreography legend Yuen Woo-Ping crafts almost endless, beautiful to behold battles. I do think the action is a little too frequent, even for a martial arts picture, but its so well done that I didn’t mind. As far as Jet Li and Jackie Chan, they play off each other well and do what they do best here, but they’re in supporting roles. In other words, they’re present often and share ample screen time, but they’re not the focal point of The Forbidden Kingdom. In the end, this isn’t quite the kung fu epic I wanted, but it is solid fun and so The Forbidden Kingdom earns a high recommendation.
Video: How does it look?
The Forbidden Kingdom is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is about as good as it gets and is a visual treat for viewers. The movie’s lush visuals just shine here, with vibrant colors that leap off the screen and detail that is eye popping. I went back to several scenes more than once, just to see how vivid the hues were one more time, that is how dazzling the color in The Forbidden Kingdom is. Just as impressive is the contrast, which supplies inky, stark black levels that never waver in the least. Add in depth that shows off even the smallest details, and we’re talking one incredible transfer. If you’re looking for a reference disc, this is a prime candidate, as these visuals are show stoppers, without question.
Audio: How does it sound?
Not to be outdone by the visuals, this DTS HD 7.1 option delivers on all fronts. The surrounds will pulse with presence, from intense power to immersive atmosphere, without a single touch missed. The attention to detail is remarkable, as even the most minor elements seem to come to life, while the power booms when it needs to. As loud and powerful as the audio is at times, it always has a natural sound, so it is never forced or hollow. No issues with dialogue either, all the vocals sound clear and audible. Simply put, a pitch perfect soundtrack that adds so much to the experience. This release also includes English and Spanish subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Bonus View mode enables a picture-in-picture option that lets you see behind the scenes clips and interviews, all while you remain within the main feature. This is well executed, but I found the actual content supplied to be mediocre at best. An audio commentary is next, as director Rob Minkoff and writer John Fusco discuss the production. This is a decent track, not loaded with insight, but it does have some worthwhile moments. So if you have a boring weekend afternoon sometime, this would be a decent way to burn some time. A bunch of featurettes have been included as well, but all run ten minutes or under, so there isn’t much time for in depth insights. If you combine them all however, you can piece together a decent inside track on the shoot. This release also includes some deleted scenes, a reel of outtakes, and a DVD with a digital copy of the movie for your portable device of choice.
