Forbidden Warrior

Anytime the urge rises to be entertained with an escapist film the top of the list becomes one of the Asian martial arts films, films of stunning beauty, breathtaking choreography, handsome actors, and enough legend to make the storyline fascinating, e.g. 'The House of Flying Daggers'. This pathetic film is packaged like those wonder movies and so deludes the public into thinking it is in an equal category. Not even close! A child is born to a couple informed that their progeny will be a male warrior who has the secrets to read the codebook that contains the key to the power of the universe. The pregnant mother is stabbed by the evil adversaries but the baby lives, 'disappointingly' a girl! The girl Seki is transported via a leaf boat to a blind wise magician who cares for her and teaches her Taiji and Kung Fu, raising her to return to the world and discover life along with her gifts. A family who wants to maintain dominion over China sends two sons (one evil and the other kind) to capture the girl and steal the code to the sacred book. The evil son is accompanied by warriors: the kind son is accompanied by Caucasian Marx brothers. The rest of the story is too simple-minded to discuss.

There are so many errors of judgment in the making of this film, not the least of which is a nebulous and silly script, that disrupt what might have been an honest attempt for Hollywood to make a martial arts film. But the acting is poor, combining Asian actors with non-Asian actors makes both look ridiculous, the special effects are clumsy, and the mood of ancient China is completely destroyed by the computer generated graphics superimposed on the real location of Griffith Park in Los Angeles! The three stooges added to the good warrior's team are so silly that they pass funny into absurd. There is no ending to the movie: instead it feels like the producers just ran out of money. A must miss.

I am shocked to read how many other people dis-liked this movie, but perhaps that is only because all the people who enjoyed it weren't as driven to comment. This movie was great as a film for humor and action - as well as exactly the story telling you would expect. No this isn't a blockbuster film, and I wouldn't expect that out of a film I never heard of until I went to the rental store. Forbidden Warrior is a story about a strong woman and it includes the elements of fighting, magic, love, etc. If you aren't into fantasy story-telling, particularly styles like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (but remember Forbidden Warrior is written in English, not a 'foreign' film (if you happen to be American)). It is a bit campy or cheesy if you're looking at it seriously, but if you enjoy good-hearted characters, a strong woman story-line, fantasy and magic, and a movie made by people who seem to have had fun making it (having watched the behind-the-scenes). In conclusion, if you pick up the film to sit down and enjoy a bit of entertainment as a film is meant to be, you'll like it. If you are looking to critique and can't handle watching movies that haven't won an Oscar, then don't pick it up. This film is great for a certain category of audience, if you're not sure that's you, please take into consideration the other comments about this movie - as it is understandable if this isn't your 'cup-of-tea', but it is mine.

I will not bore any readers with anything about the story of this film. Except that the story is more corny than ten tons of popcorn. Just do not waste your time watching this film. Everything about it is incredibly inept. The acting, the script, the costumes, the choreography, the CGI .... the list goes on and on. Films like Catwoman, Elektra and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen are all examples of bad films, however, they all look like masterpieces compared to this film. It has been claimed to be like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter and that it is very good. You cannot get further from the truth. Why so many have given it 10 out of ten is beyond me. Please do not see this film or you'll regret it.

Chinese film is currently going through a well-deserved revival, the cinematography, character creation and plot are for the most part excellent. Hollywood saw this and this has to be their take on the Chinese film phenomenon, and their way of cashing in. And what a joke it is. You can't just take Chinese-American actors, steal parts lock, stock and barrel from Tolkien's work and hope for the best. Does Hollywood think us idiots? Or consider the movie-going public morons? They must do if they think people are going to stomach this rubbish.

Hollywood HAS to stop leeching other nations creative and brilliant works and try and call it their own. I've only seen one decent example of this type of plagiarism and it's a video game of all things, Jade Empire by a Canadian company called Bioware, their work is meant to be a reflection of esteem onto the creators of genre, not a asset strip. If you want to see real personalities created, marvel at the scenery, gasp at the battles and generally bask into all things eastern give it a look.

this movie is the worst excuse for Chinese mafia to laundry money.. just joking, but seriously, the production reminds me the medium quality of some porn movies. the battles seems are alright nothing fancy but still not the worst ever existed but the slow scenes are so pathetic..and the acting so bad.. i mean seriously was it a Excellent parody made to even make fun of the audience? or is it just a serious action movie that has nothing to offer, in my opinion better watch couple of Arnold movies,you know which ones i mean..the really cheap ones..that have couple of jokes pathetic but still alright for a few desperate laughs.

No really point to see the movie..

P.S.

The cameras remind me of 1970 cheap filming.