Last night I went to see The Karate Kid. Director Harald Zwart has created an outstanding film that is better than the 1984 version.
The movie triumphs over the original by movie the action China. Here the kid is truly out of his element. He tries to get by on his natural charm and charisma, but everything is foreign and strange and when he becomes the target of a bunch of kung-fu fighting bullies it is more than he can handle.
Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith (who produced the film), plays Dre Parker a boy transplanted from Detroit to Beijing. He gives a performance that is nuanced and heartfelt. Is natural exuberance comes through, but he also excels portraying a child living in fear.
Like in the original movie, the boy is rescued by the handy-man who is much more than he seems. Jackie Chan plays Mr. Han, the boys new mentor, as a world weary man who has seen more than his share of troubles and was hiding from the world until this boy came along. It's a more mature role for Chan and he plays it with depth and subtlety
The movie follows the script almost exactly, Kung-fu replaces karate as the martial arts skill the boy needs to learn. Most of the comedic moments that were in the original movie has been removed and the film is a straight drama with any humor coming naturally as Dre and Mr. Han get to know each other. Both actors work well together which is why the movie succeeds so well.
The finale takes place at the Kung-fu tournament and the movie benefits from today's modern editing techniques. The fights seem realistic and brutal. The director manges to maintain suspense even though the outcome is foreshadowed by the first movie. There is a moment at the end when the rivals grant respect to Mr. Han, respect Mr. Miyagii didn't received.
It is a great story of an underdog working hard against impossible odds to become victorious. Along the way there are some serious life lessons to be learned. I really enjoyed this movie. It was uplifting and inspiring and it was the second film in a week to cause cause me to have tears in my eyes.
Jaden Smith is now a star in his own right and I can guarantee there will be a sequel.
At The Movie House rating ***1/2 stars. Add a half star if you are 12 years old or still in touch with the 12 year old inside you.
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