Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Han Wenwen
Director: Harald Zwart
Rating: 4/5
When it was announced that The Karate Kid was going to get a twenty first century makeover I must admit that I was one of those people who asked why?
But if you are expecting a scene for scene remake that's faithful to the original then you are going to be disappointed but if you want to see a new take on an old classic then The Karate Kid is well worth a watch.
12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible.
Even worse, Dre's feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts "the karate kid" on the floor with ease.
With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.
Jaden Smith has landed his first major lead role with The Karate Kid, he has come a long way since The Pursuit of Happyness, and it's a great turn from the twelve year old and you would think that he is a lot more experienced than he actually is.
Smith shows a huge dedication to the movie as you see his body transform during the film as he learns the art of kung-fu under Jackie Chan's guidance.
It's also an emotional performance from Smith as he struggles with the move to China, the argument with his mother about wanting to go back home is particularly good, not knowing the language and being bullied for being an outsider.
While the movie does focus on Smith character Dre it's Jackie Chan who steals the show as the sweet natured maintenance man who helps the youngster on his journey.
As we have come to expect from Chan his action sequences are amazing and he bring humour, humility and respect to the kung fu aspect of the film.
But it's the bond between the two characters that is the heart and soul of this film and they help each other stand back up after life has knocked them down, the car scene where we learn about Mr Han's past is a great performance from both Smith and Chan, as well as making one another better people.
The Beijing setting makes the movie visually stunning as Zwart shoots in The Forbidden City, outside the Olympic Stadium as well as on the Great Wall of China.
And while it is a tender story about the growing relationship between two people if you want to see some fighting then the movie doesn't disappoint in that sense either as the kung fun tournament at the end really is one of the high points of the film.
Zwart has produced a movie that does not sully or trample over the fond memory of the original, forging it's own identity whilst bringing an old story to a new generation.
The movie is tender hearted and engrossing and you never feel like it's cashing in on or exploiting the love so many have for the eighties original.
The Karate Kid may be twenty minutes two long but the action, relationship between Dre and Mr Han as well as the performances from the two lead actors more than makes up for the slow start.
Everyone says that sequels never live up to the original but The Karate Kid could be one of those movies that breaks the mould... Jacket on, jacket off!
The Karate Kid is out on DVD now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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