Find your way to this 'Forbidden Kingdom'

By: Keith Cohen, The Movie Guy

THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM

Rated PG-13

This martial arts fantasy epic will be the answer to the newest question in Trivial Pursuit. What movie marked the historic first-ever onscreen pairing of Chinese superstars Jackie Chan and Jet Li?

The initial opening credit cleverly uses the letter “J” to join these two names across and down like a crossword puzzle.

While American boys grew up on Westerns starring Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, Asians idolized the exhilarating kung-fu genre where hands and feet are quicker than the eye. People will flock to this unique pairing in droves regardless of quality. I am glad to say it lives up to expectations.

Director Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King” and “Stuart Little”) has two aces up his sleeve by bringing onboard Oscar-nominated cinematographer Peter Pau (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) and stunt choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping (“The Matrix” trilogy).

The screenplay written by John Fusco (“Hidalgo”) is loosely based on “Journey to the West,” one of the greatest classic novels in Chinese literature. The characters are taken from Chinese mythology and pulp fiction.

A kung-fu obsessed Boston teenager, Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano from “Sky High”), finds in a pawnshop a fighting stick that used to belong to a king now imprisoned in stone by the Jade Warlord (Collin Chou). Jason travels back in time to ancient China where he joins up with a band of martial arts warriors. His mission is to fulfill a prophecy by returning the weapon to its rightful owner, thereby freeing the exiled ruler.

Jet Li plays the dual role of the Monkey King and the emotionless, white-clad Silent Monk. Jackie Chan reprises his Drunken Master personality in the dual role of Lu Yan, an inebriated wine-guzzling poet, and Old Hop, an aged Chinatown pawnshop owner.

Before they realize they are on the same side, the dynamic duo of Chan and Li square off in a breathtaking extended fight sequence in a temple. Their legions of fans will have many energetic moments to savor. The two actors look like they are having fun with an amicable give-and-take camaraderie.

The movie’s only weakness is their broken English is hard to decipher.

Angarano had to be thrilled working alongside these two cinematic legends. His likeable, charismatic presence gives us a rooting interest while serving as our window into this ancient world.

The easy-to-follow story bears a striking resemblance to “The Karate Kid” and “The Wizard of Oz.” The action speaks for itself without the need for extensive dialogue or lengthy exposition. The movie is briskly paced and never drags.

The movie’s innumerable strengths include the amazing stunt work and spectacular visual effects. The stunning cinematography takes the viewer on a scenic journey through a rainforest, desert and mountain fortress. The ornate costumes, colossal set designs and a glorious musical score produced by Harry Gregson-Williams (the “Shrek” trilogy and “The Chronicles of Narnia”) are also integral parts of a winning formula.

The movie has humorous moments and a romantic angle to give viewers a breather between action pieces.

The knockout beauty of Asian women doesn’t take a backseat with Crystal Liu playing Golden Sparrow and Li Bing Bing as the bullwhip-wielding demoness.

This coming-of-age adventure yarn even has a positive message to convey to young people: Learn to find your own way in life.



FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL

Rated R

Writer/director/producer Judd Apatow (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” and “Superbad”) has developed a reliable stable of talent to churn out outrageous comedy films for dating couples and swinging singles in the 17 to 35 age range.

This latest outing features a cast of television stars. Good-natured Jason Segel (“Freaks and Geeks,” “How I Met Your Mother”) wrote the screenplay and plays the lead role of Peter Bretter. His tall and chubby character is a sensitive, lovable loser who composes incidental music for a television crime show starring his beautiful girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell from “Veronica Mars” and “Heroes”). He is content to live in her shadow while serving as her escort at premieres and photo shoots.

He is devastated when she suddenly dumps him after five years. Peter needs to get away from Los Angeles and decides to vacation in Hawaii.

Things turn awkward for Peter when he discovers that Sarah is staying at the same resort with her new boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Snow is a self-absorbed, hedonistic British rock star.

Heart-broken Peter makes friends with members of the hotel staff. They include Rachel (Mila Kunis from “Family Guy” and “That ‘70s Show”), a flirtatious, dark-haired goddess at the reception desk; Chuck (Shawnee Mission West graduate Paul Rudd), a spaced-out surfing instructor, and Kemo (Taylor Wily), a cook with a sumo wrestler’s body.

The movie pushes the envelope on promiscuity and kinky, casual sex. Every below-the-waist body part is referred to and discussed in detail.

The movie holds your interest because you can identify with the malaise resulting from breaking up with someone you love after a long-term relationship.

The original screenplay insightfully comments on jealousy, competitiveness in dating, sexual prowess and tactics used to attract the opposite sex. The false perception of “the grass is always greener” philosophy comes through loud and clear. The movie makes the point that you never truly appreciate what you have until it is gone.

The sight gags, college dorm pranks, frat boy humor and wisecracking dialogue send the laugh-o-meter soaring. The movie is bookended with some unnecessary full frontal male nudity. Bell and Kunis are easy on the eyes with their distinctive wardrobes and contrasting blonde and brunette hair.

The tropical Oahu scenery and a lively soundtrack add to the enjoyment. Fans of the earlier Apatow comedies will want to add this very funny movie to their collection.