Allow me to promptly get the praise out of the way... Considering two of the most famous martial artists to ever grace the screen appear in this film, it goes without saying that the kung fu sequences were top notch. They were well choreographed, and always entertaining to watch.
And now what you care about, the CRITICISM... Normally I would be willing to disregard any minor idiosyncrasies in a film like this and just kick back and enjoy the ass-kickery, however, this particular film is an insult to any moderately educated brain.
Point 1, there is a lack of backstory for absolutely every character, which leaves you caring even less than you thought possible about the pencil neck geek who was horribly miscast as the lead.
Point 2, while at first there is a laughable attempt at comedy (no pun intended) as the nancy choir boy of a lead fails to communicate with the Chinese speaking villagers, things inexplicably become convenient for all as everyone from Jackie Chan to the endless useless henchmen happens to be a fluent scholar of the English language.
Point 3, now I knew before seeing this movie that the noodle-armed white guy was going to have a kung fu training montage, yet I was still disgusted when I saw it for it featured a truly shameful CG stick twirling episode which would've been completely beyond the ability of anyone after a day or two of training, even from JC or Jet Li.
Point 4, the lead has a ponytail, and I don't care what anyone says, that brings your badass meter way down.
Point 5, Why is the director relying on the acting prowess of Jackie Chan to deliver deep, philosophical, and apparently meaningful one liners amidst a movie that features monkey men that can fly and shoot lasers?
Point 6, It's evident that the "Jade Warlord" had some personal issues, but how the crap does he find an entire army of equally spiteful jerks who have no issues butchering innocent people?
Point 7, That girl who can hit a moving target with a bow from 900 yards away had inconsistent hair length, perhaps this was a goof made by the editing department. Unless of course her hair was magical, I could accept that.
Point 8, When the film finally returns to the Boston setting, it's no longer fantasy rules! no matter how good of a teacher he had, that twig of a lead would've been snapped by those 5 ruffians, simply because he weighs a buck 10 tops, and 3 days of kung fu training can only do so much.
Finally, point 9, the way this film should've ended is this... when the white kid proves he's got some skills and the bullies have run off in terror, he is seen standing there flexing like a real tough customer. Instead of making things completely strange by having that girl reappear in the present day, simplify things and give us action lovers what we all crave and A) have the bullies come back with chains and pipes and beat the kid senseless or B) the kid should've just exploded without reason and the word FIN should've been shown in white text on a black background, but now i'm just splitting hairs...
And now what you care about, the CRITICISM... Normally I would be willing to disregard any minor idiosyncrasies in a film like this and just kick back and enjoy the ass-kickery, however, this particular film is an insult to any moderately educated brain.
Point 1, there is a lack of backstory for absolutely every character, which leaves you caring even less than you thought possible about the pencil neck geek who was horribly miscast as the lead.
Point 2, while at first there is a laughable attempt at comedy (no pun intended) as the nancy choir boy of a lead fails to communicate with the Chinese speaking villagers, things inexplicably become convenient for all as everyone from Jackie Chan to the endless useless henchmen happens to be a fluent scholar of the English language.
Point 3, now I knew before seeing this movie that the noodle-armed white guy was going to have a kung fu training montage, yet I was still disgusted when I saw it for it featured a truly shameful CG stick twirling episode which would've been completely beyond the ability of anyone after a day or two of training, even from JC or Jet Li.
Point 4, the lead has a ponytail, and I don't care what anyone says, that brings your badass meter way down.
Point 5, Why is the director relying on the acting prowess of Jackie Chan to deliver deep, philosophical, and apparently meaningful one liners amidst a movie that features monkey men that can fly and shoot lasers?
Point 6, It's evident that the "Jade Warlord" had some personal issues, but how the crap does he find an entire army of equally spiteful jerks who have no issues butchering innocent people?
Point 7, That girl who can hit a moving target with a bow from 900 yards away had inconsistent hair length, perhaps this was a goof made by the editing department. Unless of course her hair was magical, I could accept that.
Point 8, When the film finally returns to the Boston setting, it's no longer fantasy rules! no matter how good of a teacher he had, that twig of a lead would've been snapped by those 5 ruffians, simply because he weighs a buck 10 tops, and 3 days of kung fu training can only do so much.
Finally, point 9, the way this film should've ended is this... when the white kid proves he's got some skills and the bullies have run off in terror, he is seen standing there flexing like a real tough customer. Instead of making things completely strange by having that girl reappear in the present day, simplify things and give us action lovers what we all crave and A) have the bullies come back with chains and pipes and beat the kid senseless or B) the kid should've just exploded without reason and the word FIN should've been shown in white text on a black background, but now i'm just splitting hairs...