The Karate Kid (Columbia Pictures)
Audiences Are Clapping For This Film
When is the last time you went to the movies and the audience actually clapped for the ending of the film That is what is happening across the country for The Karate Kid. The ending is so exciting and so well done that audiences are gasping, yelling and clapping to show their appreciation. The original film was a solid success but this new version is going to outdo it.
Jaden Smith (son of Will and Jada) plays Dre, a twelve year old boy who moves with his mother Sherry (Taraji P Henson) to China after his dads death. Her job requires this move and though she knows it will be hard on Dre, she has no choice.
In China, Dre finds it hard adjusting to the school he attends. He does meet a pretty girl named Meiying (Wenwen Han) who befriends him but a boy named Cheng (Zhenwei Wang), who also likes her, bullies Dre relentlessly.
Dre finds a protector of sorts in the apartment maintenance man, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). He knows kung fu and becomes Dres teacher. All of this leads up to a tournament battle between the two boys and this makes for the climactic ending.
The story of senior mentor and young protge is lifted directly from the original film. There it was karate which was taught and in this film it is king fu, although Sherry gets the two confused. The scenes of Dres training are the slowest part of the film and make the middle a little sluggish.
It all perks back up in the final scenes which are Rocky time all over the place. This is what sends the audience out cheering and makes the entire movie a solid entertainment treat. We all like to see heroes on the screen and The Karate Kid gives us two in Mr. Han and Dre.
Young Jaden Smith is quite the natural actor and he compliments that talent with his physical prowess. He holds his own against the adult actors and he and Chan make a winning team. Chan is not yet the most accomplished actor but he is certainly competent in his role as mentor. The film gives Mr. Han a back story and that adds to the overall enjoyment and understanding of the movie.
The film is rated PG for mild profanity and violence. Some of the fighting may be a little too intense for the younger kids.
The Karate Kid takes the simple story from the original film and makes it appealing to a whole new audience. Smith and Chan bring their kung fu skills, their acting abilities and their natural charm to the screen and create a team that has the audience pulling for them from the start. Young Mr. Wang makes for a fearful bully and Ms. Han is perfect as the girl. Henson could play her role in her sleep but she is always a welcome addition to any film.
Though a little slow at times, The Karate Kid emerges a winner thanks to the overall feel good atmosphere with which it leaves you.
I scored The Karate Kid an athletic 7 out of 10.
