MOVIE: The Forbidden Kingdom

The Forbidden Kingdom stars action legends Jackie Chan (who plays Lu Yan) and Jet Li (tplaying the Monkey King and The Silent Monk) along with Michael Angarano, Yifei Liu (played Sparrow) and Collin Chou playing the Jade Warlord.

Well the main plot of The Forbidden Kingdom starts off with the Monkey King (Jet Li) causing mischief against the Jade Warlord, andThe Jade warlord challenges the Monkey King to a duel. During the duel the Jade Warlord (Collin Chou) turns the Monkey King into stone just after the Monkey King casts his staff away.

Switch to sort of present day and we see Jason (played by Michael Angarano). He get out of bed and goes to a store in China town to buy some kung fu movies (this is were we see Jackie Chan playing the shop owner). Afterwards he gets chased after by as group of bullies and Jason is ends up inside The Forbidden Kingdom. Here he first meets Lu Yan (Jackie Chan) and they start a journey to help return the staff to his rightful owner. On the way they meet Sparrow (Yifei Liu) and the Silent Monk (played by Jet Li).

As being a big Jackie Chan Fan some could thing that this is a no brain of which way I might swing, but I much say that I did enjoy it but there are some issues I had with the movie. Although overall did I enjoyed The Forbidden Kingdom very much. Throughout the movie I was smiling from ear to ear in amazement.

First the good. Over and over, film after film Woo-ping Yuen always delivers when It comes to the choreography. Jackie Chan and Jet Li both are excellent during there selection of fight scenes with the best of course being when the two fought each other. I thought a lot of the scenes were really funny from when both Chan and Li were teaching Jason some kung fu, and even the "rain"scene put halfway into the movie. I also like Jet Li's version of the Monkey King I thought he was hilarious at some of the scenes, and really entertaining to watch.

As for what I disliked about the movie was a couple things. First I thought the direction could have been done a little better. Also in the beginning the actors that were picking on the main character couldn't act worth a damn, and I thought that the kid Michael Angarano was iffy, nothing that great. Shadowed by the real stars of the show Jet Li and Jackie Chan. Another think I must note is that I thought that the romance scenes really didn't need to be there. I don't understand why there always has to be at least some of a romance plot in movie that it obviously bogs down the rest of the story.

The Forbidden Kingdom was a wonderful movie I enjoyed very much. To see Jet Li and Jackie Chan attack each other with different style was very exciting, and could be one of funniest and entertaining fight scene for awhile. I would Strongly Recommend The Forbidden Kingdom.

DVD: Rush Hour 3

Yet once again the duo of Inspector Lee and James Carter are back, this time both of them are fish out of war. They are now in France.

During a conference of a World Criminal Council, there is a attempt assassination on Ambassador Han (Tzi Ma, from Rush Hour)life, and it fails. Lee (Jackie Chan) who is now working as Han's bodyguard chases after the assassin, clues lead both James Carter (Chris Tucker) and Lee to France. When the both of them arrive they get a warm welcome from a Detective named Revi (played by Roman Polanski), they befriend a local taxi cab driver and help a dancer, who maybe be connected with the gang who tried to assassinate Ambassador Han. Much like the other two Rush Hours (the first a Museum, the second a Casino) everything leads to a fight scene on top of the Eiffel Tower.

With the return of our favorite buddy cop duo Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan return to their characters Detective James Carter and Inspect er Lee in over 6 years. I was very, very excited to hear that Rush Hour was going to be back on the big screen once more, because I loved this series and am always looking to see Jackie Chan do his stunts.

As much as I hate to say this but this has to be one of the weaker points of the series. It was rarely funny (It has its times when it is funny), but overall this is the weakest out of the trilogy. The jokes throughout the movie didn't seem fresh to me and some tried to be funny but in the end it really wasn't. One great addition would have to be the cab driver named George (Yvan Attal) he has some of the funny parts, even when there's very few of them.

The real thing that saved Rush Hour 3 was the action that was in throughout the movie. One thing I had a problem with was towards the end of the movie, you could tell when they used a green screen at times which seemed too fake.

If it does happen and they decide to make a fourth Rush Hour (at least get this bad taste out of ending like this) lets have a story that it more focus with Chris Tucker's character. All three Rush Hour have been about Lee's troubles, maybe its time for us to follow James Carter to make it fresh again.

Take away the comedy there is still a decent and enjoyable action movie. While I have it Rush Hour 2 for me was the best then it goes, the first Rush Hour and with the newest installment lead the bottom of my favorites of the series. I would overall have say I barely, but this I would have recommend.

DVD

The DVD of Rush Hour 3 is a Two-Disc set presented in 2.35:1 widescreen with 5.1 Dolby Digital and 6.1 DTS sound. Along with English and Spanish Subtitles. The features include:

• Feature Commentary by Bret Ratner.
• Theatrical Trailer.
• Outtake Reel.
• Deleted Scenes Including Commentary by Director Bret Ratner.
• Makin of Rush Hour 3.
• Le Rush Hour Trols Production Diary.

The features on this DVD is very good in my opinion. The Outtake reels that are on most of every Jackie Chan movie are always very funny. The Deleted scenes were good, I really liked the extended elevator scene and we get to see Roselyn Sanchez character again. The making of Rush Hour 3 is about 1 hour and 30 plus minutes long and I would say it was decent. and a very short Easter Egg of one of the fight scenes look if it was apart of Star Wars. Overall I really liked this DVD. I would say its a Buy.

DVD: Rush Hour 2

Rush Hour is back with Rush Hour 2. Our favorite duo of Inspector Lee and James Carter are back, this time they are hitting the streets of Hong Kong.

While James Carter (Chris Tucker) is on vacation in Lee's (Jackie Chan) home town of Hong Kong, Lee is still on duty as a cop and will not just relax and show Carter a good time. When they go to a local night club, Carter thinking Lees going to relax and not work they get in a fight with the local Triads. Lee soon finds out that Ricky Tan (John Lone) they person who was the old partner of Lee's father is working for the Triads, so Lee investigates. During the investigation mixes them up with the Secret Service where the two meet Isabella Molina (Roselyn Sanchez) who has them help them find out about some fake money, which might lead to Ricky Tan. The investigation takes the two to Las Vegas to a opening of a Casino call the Red Dragon where the Carter and James have a final showdown.

While myself really liking the first Rush Hour I couldn't wait for the second edition of the Rush Hour series. I must say I was not disappointed, Rush Hour 2 bring Chris Tucker to Hong Kong and have Jackie Chan's character show him around like the opposite of the first one. For me Rush Hour 2 had a much better story than it predecessor. The jokes throughout the second one is much more funnier, with every second I was laughing non-stop.

Much like every Jackie Chan movie that he's a part of has amazing fight scenes and Rush Hour 2 is no exception. All fight are top notch. One of the new characters in Rush Hour 2 is Ziyi Zhang who plays one of the villains in the movie he has a very cool fight scene with Chris Tucker which is also very funny.

Sometimes a sequel to a movie can not always equal up to the original, but with Rush Hour 2 it exceeds expectations making it funnier, more action-packed and a better story overall. Rush Hour 2 to a very good movie and I'm Strongly Recommending this movie.

DVD

The Rush Hour 2 DVD is a Two-Disc newly Digitally Remastered picture. Its presented in 2.35:1 widescreen with English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. The features on this DVD are:

• Ann Exclusive Sneak Peek at Rush Hour 3 (Part 2) - "The French Connection" Includes Behind-The-Scenes Footage and Interviews with the Cast.
• Jackie Chan's Hong Kong Introduction.
• Culture Clash: West Meets East.
• Language Barrier.
• Attaining International Stardom.
• Kung Fu Choreography.
• Bret Ratner Student Film Lady Luck.
• Fact Track.
• Deleted Scenes.
• Making Magic Out of Mire: A Look At Bret Ratner.
• Evolution of a Scene: Analysis of Selected Scenes.
• Fashion of Rush Hour 2.
• Commentary With Director Bret Ratner and Writer Jeff Nathanson.
• Visual Effects Demonstration.

Well what can I say about this DVD. Its action-packed with special features. With the movie being so good these features are too good and entertaining. There are a could features that can be skipped over but I thought everything was decent. I would Strongly Recommend the Rush Hour 2 DVD as a Buy.

DVD: Rush Hour

Rush Hour stars Jackie Chan as Inspector Lee, and Chris Tucker as James Carter in this hilarious buddy cop story.

When Consul Han's (Tzi Ma) daughter is kidnapped in America on her way to school the FBI comes into investigate, but Consul Han wants his own man work on the case with the FBI, Hong Kong Chief Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan). The FBI hates this idea and has the local police to keep Lee out of their way L.A.P.D. cop James Carter (Chris Tucker). So James Carter takes Lee sight seeing around LA, only to lose him and eventually meet up in Han house where the FBI is not that pleased with Lee appearing. So secretly both Carter and Lee help and try to bring the girl kidnappers to justice in this wonderful, action-packed, hilarious thrill ride.


Rush Hour is a East meets West in cultures. With Jackie Chan's amazing stunts and Chris Tucker's fast talking jokes how can this not be good. And boy this is good this has to be on of my favorite buddy cop movies out. Jackie Chan's acrobatics are top notch and are really well done. Along with some great laugh out loud moments from Chris Tucker.

The story of Rush Hour is pretty basic, a daughter of a wealthy man gets kidnapped and the bad guys want a ransom. Everything here his pretty straight forward not that much twist and turn throughout this one, but the really shining moments are the chemistry between Tucker and Chan.

Rush Hour is a very sharpe, funny and entertain movie which anyone will like. If you like action or comedy then this one is for you. I Strongly Recommend Rush Hour, I loved this movie.

DVD

This DVD is a two disc newly digital remastered version of Rush Hour. Its presented in 2.35:1 widescreen with English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. Along with English Subtitles. The Features include:

• An Exclusive Sneak Peek at Rush Hour 3 (Part 1) - "Rush Hour: 1, 2, 3" Includes behind the scenes footage and interviews with the cast.
• Deleted Scenes.
• Music Video "How Deep Is Your Love."
• Original Featurette "A Piece Of The Action" - Behind The Scenes of Rush Hour.
• Short Film " Whatever Happened to Mason Reese?"
• Audio Commentary by Director Bret Ratner.

With this new Two-Disc Set of Rush Hour its a pretty well packed with features. The Exclusive Sneak Peek doesn't hurt either. Along with the movie its a fun DVD. I Strong Recommend Rush Hour Two-Disc DVD is a Buy.

DVD: Robin-B-Hood

One of my favorite distributors Dragon Dynasty has brought #21 Robin-B-Hood (use to be titled Rob-B-Hood) to DVD.

Jackie Chan and Louis Koo play two thief's who take whatever they can get money for. In till one heist has them looking after a baby. The baby bring responsibility to the two character changing they way they do business forever.

As a big fan of mostly all Jackie Chan films I was really excited for Rob-B-Hood to come out, and knowing Yuen Baio is it is, only a small part, also a big plus. In Jackie Chan's most recent films (with the exception of Rush Hour 3) he's been making more and movies with much better story rather than just having half of the movie consisting with fight/action scenes, it as more of a heart to it. Robin-b-Hood is a very good movie its one of Chan best as of late, I liked the Myth but this one to me has a much stronger story.

While this has a good story it sure doesn't take a lot of good old Jackie Chan action, it has a wonderfully done chase sequence that had me on the edge of my seat. Also a great martial arts fight scene in the apartment with a lot of enemies around trying to kill Jackie Chan and one there to arrest him. Very good stuff. As with almost every movie that Jackie Chan is in you can expect some laugh out loud funny moments. Robin-B-Hood is no different, there is this one scene that every time I watch it it always has me laughing. When Jackie Chan's character is movie the baby through there apartment with their baby holding on to the mop he's dragging around, they pass Louis Koo's character who is vacuuming and in a mix up the baby is being sucked onto the vacuum. And while Louis Koo lifts up the vacuum the look on his face is hilarious. Robin-B-Hood (or just Rob-B-Hood) is a wonderful movie to just sit back and enjoy, I recommend this movie.

DVD

The DVD of Robin-B-Hood is a Two-Disc Ultimate Edition and is presented in Widescreen, enhanced for 16x9 televisions. The movie comes with Cantonese Dolby 5.1 Cantonese DTS and English Dolby 5.1 with English and Spanish Subtitles. The Features to this two disc includes:

• Feature Commentary by Director Benny Chan.
• Crashing the Hood: A Featurette With Star and Action Director Jackie Chan.
• The Hand That Mocks The Cradle: An Interview with Director Benny Chan.
• Baby-Boomer: An Interview With Co-Star Conroy Chan.
• Playtime for Adults: On The Set Of Robin-B-Hood.
• Robin-B-Hood: An Original Making Of.
• Trailer Gallery.

Ever since I have know about Rob-B-Hood and have the duo of both Jackie Chan and Yuen Baio I couldn't wait to get this one on DVD. When this movie first came out on DVD I was going to straight away by it over seas, but something inside told me to hold out and wait. And here it is Rob-B-Hood has come to America, and i must say it a pretty solid collection of feature on this two disc collection. The Interview with Jackie Chan is 39 minutes and 04 seconds long, for me it was fun to watch hear Jackie's thoughts on how they got Rob-B-Hood made. The rest of the feature are also great for this DVD. I would Strongly consider this DVD as a Buy.