DVD review (region 2)
Directed by Rob Minkoff
Starring Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Yifei Liu
Release date Out now

A teenaged boy, who also happens to be addicted to kung fu DVDs, befriends an ageing antiques dealer in modern day New York. However, shortly after a botched robbery takes place at his elderly chum’s store, our young hero is handed a mystical staff that transports him back to ancient China…

Perhaps the oddest thing about The Forbidden Kingdom is that it plays out like a remake of family classic The Neverending Story; just with added martial arts and a much bigger budget.

Yes, we once again have a bullied youth who comes to find his inner strength thanks to a mystical adventure – although in this case it involves learning some canny fighting skills and joining Jackie Chan (who essays a wise, but tough, travelling scholar) in his battle against a legendary figure called The Monkey King.

Naturally, the big selling point of The Forbidden Kingdom is in seeing Hong Kong superstars Chan and Jet Li square off and, while their final battle is certainly outstanding, there is very little else to blow the mind in this largely contrived outing.

However, this DVD is nothing less than fantastic, featuring lots of behind-the-scenes gems, deleted sequences, a gag reel and a commentary track. Indeed, anyone interested in seeing Chan and Li will be more than satisfied. Calum Waddell

VERDICT: 6/10
A kingdom of disappointment considering the talents of its two leading men.