Chan and Li unite for action-packed ‘The Forbidden Kingdom’

Kung fu crazy misfit Jason (Michael Angarano) often visits the Chinatown pawn shop run by doddering Old Hop (Jackie Chan).

Unfortunately, the schoolboy is a prime target for a gang of violent bullies who use him as bait to force their way into Old Hop’s shop, fatally wounding the owner.

With his dying breath, Old Hop instructs Jason to return one item — a valuable golden staff — to its rightful owner, the legendary Monkey King (Jet Li).

The boy flees with the artefact and in the ensuing chase, Jason is magically transported to ancient China where he joins forces with drunken master Lu Yan (Chan again), dart-wielding Golden Sparrow (Liu) and the Silent Monk (Li again) to defeat the villainous Jade Warlord (Chou).

The Forbidden Kingdom is an action-packed romp for the whole family, uniting martial arts titans Chan and Li on screen for the very first time.

Rating: 3/5