“Learn the form, but seek the formless. Hear the soundless. Learn it all, then forget it all. Learn the way, then find your own way.”
– The Silent Monk (The Forbidden Kingdom)
I have to admit that this is one of my favorite Jackie Chan movies. The Forbidden Kingdom was not what I was expecting when I first saw it, but that was a good thing. It ended up being even better. It had all of the action that you would expect from a movie starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li, but there was so much more to it than just being a great Kung Fu movie.
The Forbidden Kingdom follows a young kid that seems like he knows everything there is to know about Kung Fu. He “knows” all of this stuff from watching any and all Kung Fu movies so he is never short of answers. That is until he is put into a situation where he quickly learns that he knows absolutely nothing. His “knowledge” of fighting is quickly proved to be inadequate for the situation and he is forced to truly learn.
Experience and humility are great teachers. So are Jackie Chan and Jet Li’s characters. During the journey that takes place in The Forbidden Kingdom, both the characters and the audience are taught that there is so much more to Kung Fu than fighting. Kung Fu is an entire philosophy. A way of life. It is a never-ending lesson about living that doesn’t discriminate and everyone could learn from.
The Forbidden Kingdom teaches that those who think they know everything, actually know nothing, and those that know they will never know everything, know more than most. There is plenty of action and suspense for those uninterested in the message, but for those looking for inspiration, look beyond the fight scenes and you will see. If ever there was a movie full of philosophical wisdom, it is this one.
Journeyman's Legacy 