Teen Review: The Forbidden Kingdom

By Jeremy G. Vinluan

Teen correspondent

Going back in time to ancient China. Teaming up with a group of unusual warriors. Fighting the Jade Warlord and his evil minions. Learning the way of kung fu, strongly recommended to get back home.

“The Forbidden Kingdom” tells a tale about a modern-day American teenager named Jason Tripitikas who finds an interesting artifact that takes him to ancient China.

At this week’s Tuesday, sneak-peak showing at MacArthur Center in Norfolk, a lot of people came and filled in every seat with more people waiting outside. No everyone got in, which shows this movie had hype surrounding it, and people wanted to see it.

Two legendary actors – Jackie Chan & Jet Li - are finally on screen together as the drunken immortal and the silent monk respectively. Both characters are surprised that the staff - the artifact that transports Jason back in time - chooses Jason to free the imprisoned Monkey King. Why? Because Jason is the “white demon,’ as the ancient Chinese natives would call any Caucasian American, or simply a foreigner. This cultural difference was discussed not in English but in Chinese dialogue with English subtitles. Be prepared for the subtitles, characters do speak Chinese in the movie.

This may be an American film, but it bears resemblance to foreign language films. Plus, most of the filming took place in China.

In it, it is good to know that the spirit of the “Wizard of the Oz” is alive. Like Dorothy, Jason longs for returning home throughout the movie. This movie may be unoriginal and predictable, but the fable of the Monkey King has been unheard until now. So let’s free the Monkey King by watching “The Forbidden Kingdom” with family or friends.

Jeremy G. Vinluan, a senior at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, no_1jeremy@yahoo.com