Forbidden Warrior (2005) User Reviews

Cute & Campy & Consistent

[mwendel · 5/10 · 17 December 2005]

While many people probably expected this movie to be some kind of great martial arts / sword fighting flick; it only delivers on a juvenile level. The fighting contains very little blood, and that which it does have isn't like what you would see even in a PG-13 movie today, but I can't say it was bad fighting, not can I say it was great fighting.

This movie because of the way it was shot reminded me of watching a very long episode of a Hercules style television show. So I'm not sure if this was originally intended for the television or the big screen.

I think the story makes a lot of assumptions about what the watcher knows. They don't explain much about the geography used. Characters have little to know background given. The characters in some respects I believe are so proto-typical that they probably didn't feel the need to tell much about them since their appearance could tell you quite a bit. While I like this about the movie, and it makes it very easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys, in many ways its what I don't like about the movie too. I like characters, well, to have some more character and depth to them! I don't think anyone who watches this will be left going, ugh what a terrible movie, if they have the right mindset. But if you're looking for a serious martial arts / Asian flavored movie then this isn't the film for you.

Only for martial arts junkies desperate even for some mediocre action..

[valter17 · 3/10 · 27 April 2005]

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.

Chinese Take-Away?

[journalist1 · 3/10 · 16 April 2005]

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 pulled a "Soprano." Very disappointing.

[samuraizack503 · 1/10 · 28 October 2008]

At the start of the movie, it seemed to be a rather entertaining story, full of martial arts and magic--two things I'm very fond of in movies. I was expecting this to be SO much more. I was just getting into the movie and it ENDED. I was like "WTF!?!?!?!?" Seriously, this movie was the most disappointing thing I've ever watched. I could have personally done a better job with the storyline than this pathetic director, script writer, and/or whomever is responsible. This movie had tremendous potential to be a great movie, but it was ruined by it's sudden ending that leaves SO much to be unknown.

SUGGESTION TO THE DIRECTOR/PRODUCER IF (S)HE EVER READS THIS: They either need to default and just remake the whole movie and continue the storyline or make a Forbidden Warrior 2 with these actors, provided they're still alive and look relatively similar--maybe they can just say that Seki has been in training for 4 years. Come on people! Let's not let a perfectly good story go to waste!

An Unfortunate Display of Opportunism

[gradyharp · 1/10 · 14 August 2006]

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.

Don't go and don't SEE THIS FILM

[happy_z00 · 1/10 · 13 April 2005]

I am writing this because the reason I went to see this film is because I saw the IMDb rating and at the time it was 7,5!!!! Usually IMDb rating mirrors reality and I trust it, but this time these people who voted for this film must be crazy or the ones making this childish naive production!! I like fairy tales and legends and I though this film would be something like that but the scenery, stage effects, dialogues and even the costumes makes it look just silly. Bad acting, poor script, really silly graphic effects! I recommend to see something else...even a child's fairytale! And of course NO comparison to Lord of the Rings, or even Harry Poter! My vote is so low because I got a bit angry with those that voted with 10(!!!) and persuaded me to go and see this NOT AT ALL cinematographic attempt.

So bad it's beyond laughably bad.

[andrewhollingsworth · 1/10 · 18 April 2005]

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.

A Frame of Reference for a Really Bad Movie

[Bill-2274 · 1/10 · 11 December 2008]

I encourage you to see this movie but not for the reasons you think. Although this movie was probably meant to be serious, it's really one of the funniest movies my family and I have seen. That's because it was so poorly made. I'm sorry to those involved in making the movie if I'm hurting your feelings but this film looks like a high school project. The acting, the script, the sets are so corny it's hard to believe this film was taken seriously. I think the funniest thing is the guy wearing sunglasses in a time period meant to be hundreds of years ago. After we watched this movie on DVD we were cracking up so much wondering how this film actually got distributed. Then, the icing on the cake was that they had special features... interviews on how the movie was made...etc. I know this review sounds mean but I couldn't resist. Just the same,I hope all involved in the film have gone on to better things...but this film is really bad. For those that haven't seen it, I encourage you to watch it so that you'll have a frame of reference for a really bad movie.

Hip Hop Martial Arts Epic

[scottshimamotocomic · 9 November 2008]

I'm all for Asian Actors getting some featured roles in TV and movies, so this is no criticism of the actor's work.

I'm saying Hip Hop because of all the "sampling" that is going on in this movie...

The theme music is the same as the one from the original Six Million Dollar Man...

The guy that is with one of the brothers squats down and talks like that dude in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy...

The white blind master guy has crazy eyes like Master Po from Kung Fu...

Seki's father in the movie looks just like Sho Asahara from the Aum Shinri-kyo doomsday cult in Japan...

The tall dude is a rerun of Andre The Giant's character in "Princess Bride"...

Should I go on? I must say that Marie Matiko and Musetta Vander are very hot!!!

The lameness is not the fault of the acting or even on the concept, it's on who ever thought that people wouldn't remember all these "rip offs" of other people's original ideas...

If you don't have anything better to do,read a book or go for a walk...

[manassis · 1/10 · 7 April 2005]

Actually this movie made up-or down if you like too- to number 3 in my personal worst 2004 movies list.And if you consider that my worst was Dracula 3000, a movie I wish no one had to see but me you might get the idea.I feel it is my duty to write a comment for this one,since I have a degree in cinematography and I got really disturbed that someone wrote that this was similar to Tolkien's and Jackson miracle. The story is one of the most typical: king versus king,heir of the throne gets saved from death,baby grows up to a fine and pretty lady that is destined by prophecy to save the world,learns karate and how to use the "force" from an old blind wizard-which is the only actor that cares about his role- and then the bad guys come to claim the child.Till now everything sounds OK but sadly it is not.The plot is irrational and seams to move in the limits of despair and stupidity,scenario is written like the guy used his feet instead of hands and also the characters would be kindly described as pathetic and lousy actors that had to do this and never wanted too.As i said before the only good acting is from the part of the good wizard but sadly his magic can not save the movie from itself. Forbidden Warrior is a typical B-Movie and actually if you are below 12 years old,your IQ is about 80 or your favourite magazine is Hot chicks-Fast Cars you might love this one...

One of the worse movies I ever seen

[thesmithstampa · 1/10 · 11 August 2010]

Seriously people. How did this even get out of the terrible imagination of some bad writers mind? The acting was terrible. The storyline thin and almost incoherent at times.

The people reviewing high on this film must be involved in the making. Terrible waste of time I will never get back.

In all consideration, someone else could probably make something out of the idea of this story but a good start would to pretend this film was never made. There is nothing redeemable about it. The martial arts, magic, revenge could all be made into something decent but the acting, writing, effects, costumes, casting and, well just about everything else feel short.

Sad sad sad. I feel bad for anyone who invested in this.

Entertaining

[muximas · 8/10 · 30 September 2010]

Seeing all the negative reviews I just have to write one that contradicts this. People seem to go into this movie with expectations of another Crouched Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This it is not, having trained in 5 different martial arts I could appreciate the fights in this movie a lot more than those in CT,HD though as there are no ridiculous fights in tree tops or moves so fast that they are impossible to pull off...

I love the movie Kung Pow and although that was an intended totally ridiculous movie this one did have some references to it, but it also had a lot of references to Star Wars with the very Obi-Wan like Master, an evil empire chasing the princess and the orchestral score.

Most of the scenes were cut a little short and the actors may never get any Oscars but at least it never felt like the movie was dragging along (LOTR - are we there yet?) and it had adventure, treason, romance, a master and an apprentice, decent not over the top fights, some kind of land pirates, magic, an ancient riddle, and a Chosen One...

I watched the movie with my 16, 18 and 22 year old kids and none of us got bored, at times we good a good laugh with the references to other movies and we enjoyed it, only the lack of a decent ending was a let down but kept us wanting to see the sequel...

It's not a pretentious movie and if you can look at it that way it's really a good one!

Entertaining and enjoyable

[panther419 · 7/10 · 12 January 2009]

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.

School Pantomime anyone?

[onesky_onedestiny · 2/10 · 15 April 2005]

Where do i start on such a monumental film? To steal a quote this film makes Lord of the Rings look like an epic, but of course i wouldn't make such wild claims without backing them up so read on... I started watching this film with out any expectations, saw a nice title section to lure me in but it became quite apparent that most of the actors weren't taking the roles as seriously as the plot (characters like Mouse - a Grima Wormtongue wannabe, Tall Tall - he's...um...tall, and Gibberish - a man who can only speak random words which apparently can be translated into fluid English descriptions of battle, watch and see). While watching you can't decide whether it is laughing at itself or taking itself too seriously..mixing "emotional scenes" and some fairly good choreography with the bad placement and overuse of effects of Billy Zane's "Invincible". Sometimes you wonder why there are so many western actors in a film set in what appears to be medieval Mongolia (or Chinese - there is no actual placement reference i can see apart from the reference to Khans). To summarise - a very American take on an eastern style film. Fails by employing actors who don't want to take it seriously, harming the entire cast by making them look bad (if they try to act), using special effects at every chance, poor sound effects, and above all when a person gets stabbed through the heart with a large sword you would expect it to at least leave a small exit wound on his back, no?

nearly speechless

[soopermanluvr · 1/10 · 12 May 2005]

from my title u probably thought i was speechless due to the positive impact this film had. erm let me put it this way, this film was the closest thing to pain without someone actually touching you. i must have said "please god don't do this to me" 3 times in this film at least. reason being, because it sent a shudder down my spine (like someone was opening my back and throwing salt in it) every time a cliché would come this film is full of the usual Asian-American no hoper actors who regularly put their names down for b movie films. including a return to screen of the evil emperor dude from big trouble in little china, and that little guy with the beard who's in every American martial arts film ever made! I'm serious, unless you are intrigued my mighty morphin power rangers, which come to think of it was probably better, then you will hate yourself for getting this. PLEASE LISTEN TO ME for you own sanity for god sakes! also includes a love story which ignites within the space of 30secs of the couple meeting each other (think bollywood). people i urge you, stay away. i signed up just to write this because i feel after watching this i may never watch another film again :-( nah, but seriously down watch it!!!

Worst... movie...ever

[wasbeermeneer · 30 April 2006]

That was beyond doubt the worst movie I ever saw. I just continued watching it to see how they would beat the big bad guy and retrieve that magic book, only to find out: There isn't even a real ending.

Don't watch this unless you like watching very, very, very , very bad movies

The acting is bad, the costumes are hilarious, the plot makes absolutely no sense. For example: whats the whole deal with the pirates. Why are they even in the movie? They probably needed some more people to die. The only good character was the guy who's always asleep and only wakes up when something important happens.

An atrocity. Seriously, WORST. MOVIE. EVER.

[YellowMonkey · 1/10 · 22 July 2006]

While the production values are not terribly bad, EVERYTHING ELSE IS. The lead is reasonably attractive but is a pretty poor actress overall, performances by the rest of the cast are laughable, worse than community college theater (which is probably where they were found). But the worst aspect of this movie by far are the story and script which happen to be the most contrived and clichéd that I have EVER had the misfortune of enduring.

This is the sort of tripe I expect from low-budget Saturday morning cartoons created solely to sell action figures. The fight scene choreography was mediocre and very poorly filmed. The laziest community college hack could have come up with a better storyline than this mind-numbingly boring and insultingly trite tale of an airhead and pure-hearted warrior girl who undergoes a craptacular quest of clichéd craposity to learn about love, destiny and her one dimensional self. Seriously, this movie is more shallow then a puddle in the sahara, and more predictable and unimaginative than a bologna sandwich on white bread with mayo.

Please do yourself and the rest of the world a favor by not renting, watching or coming within 10 feet of this movie. Do not watch it because you expect a movie so bad that its funny. Its not, trust me. It is just cringe inducingly bad all around. This is fair review of this movie and it rightly deserves only 1 star.

If you enjoyed this movie, you are probably under the age of 14 and have never seen a martial arts movie prior to this one.

Worst Martial Arts Film EVER!!!

[e_kelso · 1/10 · 8 September 2006]

Completely Unwatchable!!!!

Complete false packaging, we were expecting "Flying Tiger, Hidden Dragon" type movie with subtitles. Instead we get a VERY bad impersonation, all in English (with Spanish subtitles) and not even in 5.1 surround.

DO NOT waste your time with this movie. My wife and daughter who are very big into Karate made me turn the movie off. It looked like it was filmed as some sort of television series.

See the other negative reviews as they have summed it up perfectly in greater detail.

The worst thing i've ever seen in my life

[lathieeshe · 1/10 · 3 April 2006]

Awful is being nice. Whoever made this, really needs to either stop making movies altogether or go back to school and take the course on FILM again. They've must of been a sleep the day they taught acting. I think i actually got dumber watching this movie. I would have left and gone for a drive if it was for the fact, i was already on my bed and was too lazy to get up and turn the TV off. I did learn one valuable lesson. That you should always keep your remote control near you in situation like these. The acting was the worst. I have seen better acting from Keanu Reeves in one scene, then this entire movie has to offer. The special effects are pathetic. It's not about cost of doing CG, anyone could do better sitting at home, on their home pc. I can prove it if anyone wants to see. The dialog, OMG. Don't make me start. It's like a blind nun who speaks and writes Zimbabwe Sign wrote the English script. There this one guy, and every line, he keeps going "My Child". It so irritating, you want to do physical harm to this guy but he's already blind in the movie. Please don't watch it. I beg you whatever you do, don't watch it. This is the new standard in craptacular. I have seen many hundreds of movies. This is by far the worst. The kicker is the fact this movie ends with a sequel like ending. I hope it's never made. Even Chunk Norris could not save this one people.

A new series?

[ami-40 · 5/10 · 26 May 2006]

Frankly, when the movie ended I thought to myself: hum, let's check for episode 2!!! Since there is no real beginning to the story, and it doesn't really end either, I thought this was like a TV series pilot or a mini series!! The actors are not all that bad, although the main character can't act! Very cute though!! Ah well, if you like a movie with a strong script that actually does have an ending and a story, then this movie is not for you! LOL! Sometimes it's okay if there are some good fights, or lots of martial art action! But you won't see this either. No beautiful scenery or great camera work, no great actors...looks like made for TV I'm telling you!!!

A fun and magical adventure..

[myflower4you2005 · 8/10 · 29 July 2005]

This is the kind of film that the whole family would enjoy seeing. The story is filled with wonder, great special effects, and the martial arts are very exciting to behold. you never find yourself wondering when the movie is going to be over, rather wanting to see what's going to happen next, and hoping that a sequel will be in the works. I liked how much action there was, and it had several lines that made me laugh. It was very enchanting, charming, and full of surprise. the music was also very dramatic, and incredible to listen to. I enjoyed the whole experience. what made it even more wonderful, and very inspiring, was seeing a woman being the hero!

Rich in Taoism

[steve-2296 · 7/10 · 4 November 2005]

The most Taoist of film sense Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon! For those versed in the martial arts, both internal and external, this movie captures all the the best of the arts. Very little WIRE-FU and rich in philosophy I vote to add this movie to my collection.

The Heroin Siku is taught the way of Taiji and Kung Fu. She must master herself before confronting others. Like the way of water she becomes fluid and free. The movie takes the art of WUJI, emptiness to an whole new level.

Focus on the relationships between middle path (father) Yin, silent warrior, and Yang (Killer) to best understand the hidden meaning.

very enjoyable family film

[jamikeclark-1 · 9/10 · 7 November 2005]

I cant remember how long its been since I've viewed a film that i could enjoy with the whole family. There is a little something for everyone.It is a fun and magical adventure that kept my children's interest even the little one.Its full of profound messages that promote good moralistic values that you rarely see in todays movies.Tony Amendola did a superb job of depicting his character and Mary Matieko was a breath of fresh air.In all hats off to cinimour entertainment. For a first time director this was an excellent independent film.I feel we will see a lot more good movies from this new company in the future.i added it to the collection.cheers!

A Tearjerker action story

[kiwilove2006 · 6/10 · 5 July 2010]

This movie reminds me somewhat of "The Silent Flute" - while that was a martial arts story of an international flavour - which is set anywhere in the world, this particular movie "Forbidden Warrior" is a Chinese Eastern story which features various European actors in supporting roles - being a French or International funded movie, it seemed to suffer from a clause in which European actors must be used in a supporting role - otherwise there is no sense or reason to have them there, otherwise.

I will add a spoiler - in that this movie does draw at your emotional heart strings with full orchestral score. I don't think it is suitable for a young audience because of this. People do die in this story - major characters and minor.

I personally liked this story more than "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and while the fight scenes are not as good as in that movie - they are still of a high enough standard, unlike some other international movies with a martial arts touch -whose fighting standards were lower.

This is a Good versus Evil mythical story - and it is about fighting and conflict - universal theme with a touch of romance.

I did feel that the movie fell short - in not having a final confrontation with the evil ruler - that I half expected a confrontation scene with the heroine and evil ruler that never happened. That would have brought the story full circle with a more complete closure - but perhaps too Hollywood? I found that I did not enjoy the early part of the movie because of the oddness that is present in it - that once you accept that this is an International flavoured movie set say in Ancient China, you then more readily accept the presentation. Just like with Jackie Chan in "The Spy Next Door" - it is a good story, on different levels.

A good epic tale, clean and soft but not as simple as it looks!

[johnsayada · 10/10 · 1 February 2006]

Definitely not a Lord of the ring neither Narnia, but somehow in between. Clearly like a B type TOEI production. If you're looking for a good Asian fighting movie (e.g. Ong Back) to share with friends and some beers... if unless you are pretty naive, you'll be disappointed. But if you are definitely a manga fan, and you have kids around... well you'll have no excuse not to sink into this tale... Although, there is no blood, no strong plot to destroy the earth by cutting heads off and raping whatever moves... the story is still very very dense... full of clichés that's granted but the overall makes it very happening and if you don't have a strong manga culture, you'll need a second sight to get it fully. The directing, the edition, the special effects, the music are very very clean, I insist, it's a clinical work. I am sure Forbidden Warrior will stay in posterity of one the best Asian Epic Family movie of the last years.