Director Rob Minkoff brings us this action packed movie which stars both Jackie Chan and Jet Li together. I have to say I saw this movie enjoyed it immensely. It has all of the elements you like in a movie of this genre. Young Apprentice who knows know Kung-Fu until he is taught by a master, the drunken master who is reluctant to take on a student, the unknown opponent who turns into one of their greatest allies, magical evil immortals, a monkey king who is imprisoned in stone waiting to be released. The story is fun, simple and the action and choreography are entertaining. My only qualm about the film is the film is particular mean and violent in the beginning with the teenager Jason Tripitikas (played by Michael Angarano) who is attacked by hooligans who are particularly violent, especially when brandishing a gun and shooting the old shop owner, and chasing the boy threatening to shoot him. This is a little too hostile for a kung-fu film, and fantasy violence with kung-fu throwing opponents into walls, and arrows even though people die, the menace and vulgarity of the thugs in opening and ending scenes seemed a little out of place in the film. This movie would have been ideal for younger kung-fu fans ages 10+ if it wasn’t for a couple of overly violent scenes.

That being said that was my only negative about the film, Jackie Chan was enjoyable as the self proclaimed Immortal, who helps the boy return the magical staff to the Monkey King. The Silent Monk and the Monkey King both played by Jet Li, who does a great job and is good to see as a good guy as most movies I have seen him recently he is the villain. The English dubbing and voice work is a little bad, I think Jet Li and Jackie Chan were using their own English voices for the film, I am almost sure of it but couldn’t find out for certain.

The movie certainly is not meant to be taken seriously like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or House of Flying Daggers, which is what made it enjoyable. Jackie Chan is getting to be too old for martial arts movies and Jet Li is moving up there in age as well. They still shine for a little while longer, but Jackie Chan was much more agile and choreographed in such films as “Armor of the Gods” and “The Drunken Master”.

If you are a Jackie Chan fan, Jet Li Fan, or a fan of Kung-Fu or Karate movies, this is definitely worth a rent.

-Dragon Blogger

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