The Forbidden Kingdom

You would have to be a misanthrope to find fault with The Forbidden Kingdom. It represents everything that the 21st century represents - the merging of American narrative and Chinese myth.

Yes, this film pairs Jackie Chan and Jet Li and the chemistry is worthy of De Niro - Pacino pontification. But the main character is an American lad who (does he) daydreams the whole scenario. Michael Angarano may not be a household name but he's the poor man's Shia LaBeouf, and he holds his own against Li and Chan, themselves making their first movie appearance together. When Li and Chan face off in their first fight it takes the viewer to the place where happy movie memories reside. Angarano played the young guy in Almost Famous, but his recent work in this film and Snow Angels bears notice.