Rated PG-13 for sequences of martial arts action and some violence.
Directed by Rob Minkoff (Haunted Mansion, Stuart Little and Lion King)
Starring Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Michael Angarano, Collin Chou, Crystal Liu Yi Fei, Li Bing Bing
Jackie Chan and Jet Li…together, and still not a “Rental.”
Jason (Michael Angarano) is an American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics. When he makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King, his life is changed forever. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself traveling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.
I’m the furthest thing from a fan of the classic Kung-Fu movies, but I’ll admit to watching a few of them as a teenager. I enjoy any movie with Jet Li in it and Jackie Chan is just plain amazing. So when I first heard they were finally in a film together, I was floored. But this movie had one major flaw: the American teenager. I can get past all of those over the top elaborately choreographed fight scenes and special effects, but to ask me to believe that some American teenager is a kung-fu master because he did a few Rocky-like training scenes is just too ridiculous.
Then there are the characters of Jackie Chan and Jet Li. I think I can count on one hand how many times I have scene Jet Li smile so it took me awhile to adjust to seeing him as the flamboyant Monkey King. And as much as I love Chan, it just seemed like he didn’t know if he was a drunken boob or the wise mentor.
Besides the American teen, the American influence is overwhelming and ruins the movie. I wish I could give it a better score but “Only If Free” is the best I can do.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The violence is very mild compared to most PG-13 movies and to their credit they stay away from foul language and sex. You should know that Jackie Chan’s character is intoxicated throughout the entire film.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
