FILM REVIEW : The Karate Kid

Posted by: Tony – Jun 11, 2010

Before the beginning of The Karate Kid, the latest franchise reboot to hit the scene, I unavoidably considered childhood memories of the original film on which it is based. It was so inspiring and uplifting that it carried with it a strong Rocky effect, in that you may feel an overwhelming urge to start working out the next day after watching it. I wondered if this reboot was going to succeed in capturing the same triumphant charm that made the original such a joy to watch. Unfortunately, though the movie delivers a feel-good fun time, it does not have the power of its predecessors to pack people into gyms and dojos.

The film follows the same basic plot as the original. A single mother moves with her young son to a new town. There, the boy, Dre, begins to have trouble with bullies who are trained in martial arts. He finds an unlikely instructor who trains him to defend himself, and he is given an opportunity to earn the bullies’ respect in a fighting tournament. The obligatory reboot twist this time is that the new town Dre finds himself in is Beijing, China. This adds to the feeling of isolation, as Dre is hard pressed to find anyone who can understand him when he speaks in English. He could not tell his teachers about the bullies even if he wanted to. Fortunately, handyman and secret kung fu master, Mr. Han, speaks fluent English.

A major strength of the film is the lead actors. Dre is payed by Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. He is a natural on screen. He has found his way into a few major films over the past couple of years, and though he has not grown very much as an actor, he has inherited charisma to spare. He is supported by Jackie Chan, who plays Mr. Han. This is a very appropriate role for Jackie Chan as he is now pushing 60 and is no longer believable as the action hero he once was. The wise teacher ready to train the next generation is a perfect turn for him, and he does not disappoint.

Perhaps the biggest problem for the movie is its 2 hour and 20 minute run time. There are several parts of the film that just feel too long or unnecessary, not the least of which is the love story between Dre and a cute Chinese girl he meets. She is necessary because her interest in Dre gives the bullies reason to pick on Dre in the first place, but that is really all we need out of her. He likes her, she likes him, and the bullies are jealous. We do not need to see them solidify their relationship over a game of Dance Dance Revolution, or worry about whether or not she played well enough at her violin recital to be accepted into a prestigious music academy. It is just filler for a movie that is already more than long enough.

Despite the length, The Karate Kid still delivers an immensely enjoyable underdog story that should please fans of the original and newcomers alike. The story is difficult to mess up, and the star power helps a lot, especially for a big budget Summer film. It is not be able to recapture all of the power of the original film, but that is really more a credit to the original than a detraction from this remake. It may not be the best around, but it is still a lot of fun to watch.

By Gareth Mussen