WISE Score
Avg. Tomatometer
Martial arts meets the Roman mob in a surprisingly well-reviewed action flick that keeps things mostly family-friendly.
90%
90%View →This isn't your typical bargain-bin action movie. With a high critic score and a unique Italian setting, it’s a stylish martial arts flick that treats its audience with some respect.
It’s a solid pick for a family movie night if your kids are into 'hero' stories and can handle some PG-style punching and kicking. It avoids the nihilism of adult action movies while still feeling like a 'real' film.
Best for kids 8 and up who have graduated from animated action but aren't quite ready for the heavy grit of R-rated thrillers.
It centers on family loyalty and helping a stranger, though the 'criminal underworld' setting naturally brings some grit and underworld ethics into play.
The juxtaposition of traditional martial arts tropes with a modern Roman setting is a creative pivot from the usual genre locations.
Common Sense Media rates it for ages 7+, but the 'ruthless' criminal elements and fight sequences mean parents should expect stylized action violence.
Offers a decent look at cross-cultural cooperation and standing up against systemic corruption, even if it's wrapped in an action-movie shell.
Most martial arts movies stick to a very specific playbook, but The Forbidden City decides to run that playbook in the middle of Rome. The title might make you think of Beijing, but the story is firmly planted in the Italian underworld. It follows the son of a restaurant owner who teams up with a girl to find her sister, and they end up fighting their way through the Roman mob.
What’s surprising here is the critical reception. A 90% on Rotten Tomatoes for a mid-budget action movie is almost unheard of. It suggests that the choreography isn't just mindless flailing and the script actually has some meat on its bones.
For parents, it’s a great 'bridge' movie. It’s for the kid who thinks they’re too old for Kung Fu Panda but isn't ready for the grim violence of John Wick. The action is stylized and high-energy, but it stays within the bounds of what a typical 8- or 9-year-old can handle. Plus, the cross-cultural cooperation between the leads is a nice touch that doesn't feel like it's preaching. If you can find it on the Hi-YAH Amazon Channel or other digital stores, it's a worthy rental.
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