The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
*The Forbidden Kingdom* is an action film produced in China and the United States, released in 2008.
The story
begins with a boy named Jason who is obsessed with Chinese martial arts and kung fu movies. One day, he goes to a pawn shop where he discovers an ancient Chinese staff that once belonged to the Monkey King. When he touches the staff, a power transports him to ancient China. In this world, he encounters kung fu master Lu Yan, who, despite appearing as a beggar, possesses great strength and skills that lead Jason to become his disciple.
Jason also meets two skilled kung fu masters, a girl named Golden Sparrow and a man named Silent Monk. After learning about Jason's story and the staff he possesses, they decide to embark on a special mission. The tale unfolds with the revelation that the Monkey King is imprisoned under a mountain called the Five Fingers Mountain, and he was imprisoned by Buddha himself. The prophecy states that a foreigner will be the one to free him. The staff will also return to him, allowing him to return to his homeland.
However, when Emperor Jade learns about the boy and the staff, he sends three of his most skilled guards, led by the White-Haired Witch, to capture the boy and obtain the staff. This sets off a chase and the forbidden kingdom's story unfolds.
Cast:
- Jackie Chan
- Jet Li
- Michael Angarano
- Liu Yifei
Jackie Chan's Start in Acting:
Jackie Chan's journey in the film industry began with his association with the "Seven Little Fortunes," a performance group known for its dangerous acrobatic stunts. As a member of this group, Jackie was recognized for his exceptional martial arts skills. Growing up with the members of this troupe, including Sammo Hung, they all took separate paths as they matured.
After Jackie had grown, Sammo Hung signed a contract with Golden Harvest, a film production company. When Jackie performed some acrobatic moves in front of the officials, he caught the attention of Willie Chan. This encounter led to Jackie presenting a collection of films previously made by Bruce Lee. However, this idea was unsuccessful, as critics believed that Jackie's style differed significantly from Bruce Lee's.
In 1978, Jackie Chan's international breakthrough occurred with the release of the martial arts comedy film "Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu" and "Snakes in the Eagle's Shadow." These films marked the beginning of Jackie's global recognition. The turning point in his career came with the success of "The Drunken Master" in the early 1980s. He officially joined Golden Harvest in the late 1970s, and Willie Chan became his manager.
Throughout the 1980s, Jackie Chan starred in several successful films like "Project A," "My Lucky Star," "Dragons Forever," "Heart Of The Dragon," and "Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star." His success continued into the mid-1990s. In the late 1990s, Jackie Chan returned to Hollywood, and his luck changed with successful films like "Mr. Nice Guy" and "Rush Hour," co-starring with Chris Tucker. He further solidified his position with movies like "Shanghai Noon" alongside Owen Wilson.
Jackie Chan's ability to blend action and comedy in films like "Rush Hour" and "Shanghai Noon" established him as a dominant force in action-comedy movies, and he continued this success with his later films, including "Chinese Zodiac."
Jet Li's Martial Arts Background:
Jet Li is a master in various styles of Wushu, particularly Changquan (Long Fist) and Fanziquan (Tumbling Fist). He has also studied other martial arts styles, including Baguazhang (Eight Trigrams Palm), Taijiquan (Supreme Ultimate Fist), Xingyiquan (Form-Intention Fist), Zuiquan (Drunken Fist), Yingzhaoquan (Eagle Claw Fist), Tanglangquan (Praying Mantis Fist), and many more.
Jet Li's training encompasses a diverse range of martial arts techniques, and he is skilled in the use of various traditional Chinese weapons. He has expertise in weapons such as Sanjiegun (Three-Section Staff), pistols, Dao (Broadsword), Jian (Straight Sword), and others.
It's noteworthy that Jet Li did not learn Nanquan (Southern Fist) because his training focused on Northern Shaolin styles. His proficiency in both empty-hand techniques and weapons contributes to his remarkable performances in martial arts films, showcasing a broad spectrum of traditional Chinese martial arts disciplines.
Michael Angarano
(born December 3, 1987, in Brooklyn, New York, USA) is an American actor who
began his artistic career in 1997.
Liu Yifei (Chinese: 刘亦菲),
born An Feng on August 25, 1987, is a renowned Chinese singer, actress, and model. She is also known by her legal name Liu Ximeizi (刘茜美子) and holds American citizenship. Liu Yifei is considered one of the most beautiful Chinese actresses, earning the nickname "Fairy Sister" in the film and entertainment industry.
Personal Life:
In 2015, while filming the Chinese film "The Third Way of Love," Liu Yifei started dating her co-star, South Korean actor Song Seung-heon, before they separated in January 2018.
Budget and Revenue:
The production cost of the film was approximately 55 million dollars, while it garnered revenues
estimated at 127,906,624 dollars.