This martial arts fantasy epic will be the answer to the newest question in Trivial Pursuit. What movie marked the historic first-ever onscreen pairing of Chinese superstars Jackie Chan and Jet Li?

The initial opening credit cleverly uses the letter “J” to join these two names across and down like a crossword puzzle.

While American boys grew up on Westerns starring Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, Asians idolized the exhilarating kung-fu genre where hands and feet are quicker than the eye. People will flock to this unique pairing in droves regardless of quality. I am glad to say it lives up to expectations.

Director Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King” and “Stuart Little”) has two aces up his sleeve by bringing onboard Oscar-nominated cinematographer Peter Pau (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) and stunt choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping (“The Matrix” trilogy).

The screenplay written by John Fusco (“Hidalgo”) is loosely based on “Journey to the West,” one of the greatest classic novels in Chinese literature. The characters are taken from Chinese mythology and pulp fiction.

A kung-fu obsessed Boston teenager, Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano from “Sky High”), finds in a pawnshop a fighting stick that used to belong to a king now imprisoned in stone by the Jade Warlord (Collin Chou). Jason travels back in time to ancient China where he joins up with a band of martial arts warriors. His mission is to fulfill a prophecy by returning the weapon to its rightful owner, thereby freeing the exiled ruler.

Jet Li plays the dual role of the Monkey King and the emotionless, white-clad Silent Monk. Jackie Chan reprises his Drunken Master personality in the dual role of Lu Yan, an inebriated wine-guzzling poet, and Old Hop, an aged Chinatown pawnshop owner.

Before they realize they are on the same side, the dynamic duo of Chan and Li square off in a breathtaking extended fight sequence in a temple. Their legions of fans will have many energetic moments to savor. The two actors look like they are having fun with an amicable give-and-take camaraderie.

The movie’s only weakness is their broken English is hard to decipher.

Angarano had to be thrilled working alongside these two cinematic legends. His likeable, charismatic presence gives us a rooting interest while serving as our window into this ancient world.

The easy-to-follow story bears a striking resemblance to “The Karate Kid” and “The Wizard of Oz.” The action speaks for itself without the need for extensive dialogue or lengthy exposition. The movie is briskly paced and never drags.

The movie’s innumerable strengths include the amazing stunt work and spectacular visual effects. The stunning cinematography takes the viewer on a scenic journey through a rainforest, desert and mountain fortress. The ornate costumes, colossal set designs and a glorious musical score produced by Harry Gregson-Williams (the “Shrek” trilogy and “The Chronicles of Narnia”) are also integral parts of a winning formula.

The movie has humorous moments and a romantic angle to give viewers a breather between action pieces.

The knockout beauty of Asian women doesn’t take a backseat with Crystal Liu playing Golden Sparrow and Li Bing Bing as the bullwhip-wielding demoness.

This coming-of-age adventure yarn even has a positive message to convey to young people: Learn to find your own way in life.

Review By:
Keith Cohen, The Movie Guy