"The Forbidden Kingdom" is a martial arts disaster. The story is everywhere and actually goes nowhere. In the movie we follow a kid obsessed with martial arts movies to a forbidden place. The movie does not know what crowd is it attracting too--is it kids or adults? And why is it PG-13? Because it felt like a Disney movie.
Martial arts films have been getting better over the years. With the international release of "Flash Point" and "SPL", people have forgotten all about flying heroes and CGI magic. What the real fu fans want is something real. We've seen a lot of flying people and magic in Chinese films such as King Hu movies and even the Zhang Yimou films and the Ang Lee film. "The Forbidden Kingdom" does the same thing as the other movies. I have seen it before and it was done better.
I admit I only saw the film for the fight between Jackie and Jet, but as soon as that scene was done I just felt the magic was gone. The fight could have been better with less wires and CGI crap.
I am giving the film 1 star for its fight scene, but other than that it's really not a movie for the true martial arts fans. It squashes everything that a fu fan loves and makes into crap. "The Forbidden Kingdom" is a disaster. And what is Jet doing with all that make-up?
This movie is not for martial arts fans, it's just for people that do not know anything about martial arts cinema. The movie is written by the guy who made "Young Guns". I'm not squashing "Young Guns", but what does this guy know about Chinese culture? And he is trying to remake "The Seven Samurai"? Give me a break. The director made the movie "Stuart Little". If you liked this movie even a little bit you really need to buy more kung fu movies then.
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It had some good times but I agree that it did feel as if it was trying to attract the mainstream audience.
True, it's not a movie for a serious martial arts fan. But that doesn't make it totally worthless. You complain about Jet Li having make-up? He's playing a classic character from Chinese folklore. Come on, lighten up a bit.
Philosophy Of A Knife (product link) Documentary / Horror This movie is not for the weak. Trust me on that. I liked the movie a lot when I saw it at the festival. The crowd and I were really shocked about the images onscreen. If you haven't seen this film yet, then pick it up, but watch it with people because if you watch it by yourself then that's weird.
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this is the most in human film ever made, if you want some really sick stuff, than pick this up, what's more friehten is, that everything in this film actually happend, but any way, it did not scared me a bit!
Seven Swords (product link) Martial Arts / Swordplay/Sword(s) This was a great movie from Tsui Hark. I am not a big fan of Tsui Hark's directing stuff, I thought "Zu Warriors" was eye candy full of garbage. "Seven Swords" proves me wrong. The movie has great action and a wonderful story. I heard there was a 6-hour version out there, wondering if it's true.
Return Of The Deadly Blade (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure 5-star movie all the way! If you haven't seen this yet please buy a copy today. The movie is just amazing. There is a lot of replay value in this film.
This movie sucks hards too. the only thing that this movie is worth watching was the beginning only with Hwang Jung Lee, otherwise, you are on serious narcotics.
If you haven't seen this film yet, then don't bother. It goes nowhere. The director of the movie, Dennis Lew, just can't make a good picture. He just copies something from a better movie and passes it off as his own movie. "Fatal Contact" was a disaster, a movie for women and women only, with bonus fight scenes for the men so they won't feel left out.
"Fatal Move" is another disaster. He just took the "Infernal Affairs" movies, added some "Election" stuff and called it "Fatal Move". The movie is a nightmare. We have great actors playing bad and being very bad-ass, though the story and acting just do not mix well. The action is also bad. Nothing really amazing in this picture. The last fight is out of nowhere too. The whole time I was saying in my head, WTF is this film all about?
I am going to be simple: the film is basically about nothing but of bunch of men trying and acting hardcore gangster, but it fails because it is not believeable.
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I wouldn't give this zero but I don't like Dennis Lew films ither.
This movie will forever remain a classic in action cinema. The story is also satisfying, about cops and thugs. The film just glues you to the screen until the end.
John Woo is an intense genuis. His films always amaze me. The film "Bullet in the Head" is just brilliant. "The Killer" is also a classic action film. If you haven't seen "Hard Boiled" then please get this film now.
Invincible Pole Fighter (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure There is no doubt about it, this is Gordon Lui and Shaw Brothers at their best. The film is simply amazing and very thrilling.
Mad Detective (product link) Drama / Crime The movie is short but still it has a lot going on in it. This is classic Johnnie To production. The music was haunting and mixed really well with the actors. I really enjoyed this picture a lot.
Fist Of Legend (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This is a classic movie and I think the best remake of a movie ever made. The action is incredible. "Fist Of Legend" is a blast and it delivers the goods.
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yea man I totally AGREE the tops . Fantasic in everyway and thats Entertainment -YO !
Philosophy Of A Knife (product link) Documentary / Horror The movie is absolutely terrifying, because the filmmaking is real and tough. This movie is so much better than the all the other horror films that come out. The movie is a tough experience but it is a great one.
Sukiyaki Western Django (product link) Action/Adventure / Western This is all right tribute to Italian Western films. The film was over-long but it was never boring. The action is very nice. "Sukiyaki Western Django" will forever remain a cult classic, because it was fun, but nothing really memorable.
Immortal [2008] (product link) Martial Arts / Thriller I love The Stunt People. Their films are very odd, but they deliever a great, watchable movie. "Contour" was very weird but had striking action scenes. "Immortal" is also weird but it delivers furious and intense moves. This is a recommended flick.
Brotherhood Of The Wolf (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts "Brotherhood Of The Wolf" is very bold filmmaking at its best. Every scene screams out, look at me! The film is visually impressive and the action sequences are simply amazing. The picture is done very well and there is a lot of replay value.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre [1974] (product link) Horror / Thriller Classic, classic, classic. The orginal is always better. They don't make great guerilla style filmmaking in horror movies anymore. This is a must-see for all your friends too.
PTU (product link) Action/Adventure / Crime The movie is slow, but you really have to be patient in a film like this. Johnnie To directs this movie that takes place in one night. And somehow he makes it look so cool. The detail of the streets and the actors' wardrobes just adds flavor to the coolness. The music is catchy and the action is well shot.
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I agree that the movie unfolds slowly, but to me it was never boring. It's definitely worth watching.
This is not considered one of To's best but it is one I really enjoyed. The pacing of the night's events take time to unfold but it's a good ride to an explosive conclusion.
Inside (product link) Horror / Thriller I think Hollywood should take note of this French horror movie. This is what an orginal horror movie is. Hollywood just upsets me in that genre. "Inside" is a very tense and gory movie. The movie is awesome, a must-see and -have for anyone that has not got this yet.
B13: Banlieue 13 (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts The movie is wild and entertaining. The film is very short but it delivers the goods on action. The action is impressive--some are original stunts, others we've seen before. The film is very good.
The Accidental Spy (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts The film was very fun and has great Jackie Chan fights and stunts. A really fun movie.
Atonement (product link) Drama / Romance "Atonement" is great filmmaking! The film is wonderful, yet it is a chick film. The movie is very intriguing and amazing. I agree with one reviewer that the tracking shot is wonderfully done. Not since "The Protector" tracking shot have I ever been so amazed.
Invincible Pole Fighter (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure A movie that will last forever in my heart. I love this movie so much! The action is very good. The actors have done another impressive job.
The Warlords (product link) Action/Adventure / War This was an all right movie. The battle scenes were done well. The actors did a really amazing job. I just didn't get into the whole story as others did. But it was an all right film.
Come Drink With Me (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Director King Hu was ahead of his time in making this picture. The movie is an absolute blast from start to finish. I really enjoyed this film a lot.
Kiltro (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts A fine low budget martial arts film from Spain. The movie is intriguing though it is a little slow. But it's still great because a lot of hard work was put into this small movie. The last action scene was done well. The movie is for people who want to see the same thing, but in a way we have not seen before. "Kiltro" does just that.
Flash Point (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts The last action scene saved this picture. The movie was all right and then the final 20 minutes it explodes into something really great. I guess you always have to wait for something amazing. The movie taught me to be patient and I got a really impressive pay-off.
Hellboy (product link) Action/Adventure / Science Fiction This director knows his comics. "Hellboy" is a fantastic ride. The film is thrilling and fun. The action and visuals are impressive. I did find the movie over-long--both the theatrical cut and the drector's cut. But the film is really great.
If you haven't seen "Hellboy 2", watch that. It is 10 times better then the orginal. The movie is fun, and like I said Del Toro is a true mad genius who knows his stuff.
Dragon Inn [1992] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Classic movie. It's great that a movie such as this still stands for audiences of today. The movie is very good and has great action scenes. It delivers the goods.
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"...It delivers the goods." I like the way that reads.
Live Free Or Die Hard (product link) Action/Adventure / Thriller "Die Hard 4" is intense. I really enjoyed this movie a lot. I have been a big fan of McClane's over the years--he's just the every-man person put in a situation involving terrorists. Though in "Die Hard 4" the whole every-man thing gets old and McClane is like a superhero in this film. But the film is fun and the action is very good. The action is also very original.
Shinobi Complete Collection [4-Movie Set] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I really enjoyed this collection a lot. The films are great and it's just a blast.
The Moss (product link) Crime / Action/Adventure The film goes everywhere, leading the audience nowhere. The film has great filmmaking but the movie just goes everywhere.
Hell Ride (product link) Action/Adventure / Thriller I saw this film in theaters the other day and it was a blast. The film has explosive action. Though it is another grindhouse experience, I felt as if it was better than "Planet Terror" or "DeathProof" The film is ultra-violent and it has great one-liners. It's a great film, but only for geeks such as myself that love witty action movies.
Shinobi No Mono (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I really liked this film a lot. The film is old but it still holds up today. A really great achievement from yesteryear.
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon (product link) Drama / Historical This was a lot better than "Dragon Squad" but not really a great movie. The movie goes everywhere. I am thankful that it is short though, and the movie does go fast. It has some nice visuals. The acting is very flat and the action is not done well. It's not worse then "Fatal Move".
The film is directed by Daniel Lee, who made "Star Runner" and "Dragon Squad". I don't like his style of filmmaking--it just seems like he can't make a good picture. "Three Kingdoms" is the highest rating he'll get from me for any of his movies. Hopefully in the future he does make a decent movie.
Angel Terminators (product link) Girls With Guns / Bullet Ballet The film is really fun, and the action delievers the goods. "Angel Terminators" is a very good picture. There are cheesy parts but hey it's the 90's I can forgive them on that.
The Machine Girl (product link) Action/Adventure / Girls With Guns The film is overrated, but it is good and it does have some great and gory action sequences. The movie is not for everyone's taste, but hey I absolutely loved "Hell Ride" and that movie is not for everyone.
"The Machine Girl" would definitely make a great comic series. Because that is how the movie feels. The film is fun but a lot of folks are calling this classic or epic. Don't believe the hype, the movie is fun and that's all it is.
Fist Of The White Lotus (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I love director Lo Lieh, his work is always impressive and done masterfully. "Fist Of The White Lotus" is an amazing martial arts film. It is breathtaking and I absolutely love it.
7-Man Army (product link) Martial Arts / War The film was done really well and it has nicely done action scenes. Fans of Shaw Brothers should pick up this flick.
Royal Warriors (product link) Martial Arts / Girls With Guns This is a terrific action film from the 80's. I love Asian Cinema from the 80's because it delivers on everything and the action sequences are amazing. "Royal Warriors" is a great film, the action is well done.
Tiger On Beat (product link) Action/Adventure / Comedy Now this is what "Lethal Weapon" should have been. I love the "Lethal Weapon" movies, but "Tiger On Beat" is a very good movie which I love. The action is great and very gritty.
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I love this movie too, but it sure is not worth no 5 stars-- 3 at best.
Love Chow Yun Fat but this isn't one of his better films and shouldn't be anywhere near 5 stars. I think 3 is more realistic as it is not in the same league asThe Killer
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