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So I had the rare chance to take the whole family on an outing to the movies. The kids voted for the Karate Kid, which is fine in my book, because I was suffering from “remake disappointment syndrome”, having just dealt with Clash of the Titans, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. “So let’s give it a whirl, I thought, as we were sitting in the parking lot packing snacks into our pockets. (Hey, don’t judge, have you SEEN the prices of candy at the movies lately?)




Having a 5-year-old and a 10-year-old can be tough sometimes, because one is way into cartoon-movies, and the other is starting to like the tweenie-bopper entertainment.




However, by the time we were 10 minutes into the film, the kids were hooked.




I love when expectations are blown all to hell, and this film did just that.




It was very near to the original Karate Kid film in almost every way, even little thowbacks here and there (a quick “crane technique, and of course surprise kung-fu training the “wax on was off” style we’ve so become to know and love–however the basic story was exactly the same…. a young boy moves to a place (in this case, China, where he is bullied by a martial arts expert and his thug gang as he tries desperately to fit in to his new surroundings. Our new “Karate Kid” is cast as Jaden Smith. Yes, he’s the son of Wil Smith…yes, he’s new to the game and only has one film under his belt…Yes, his parents got him the gig, but guess what? He’s actually good. The boy had an on-screen presence that was rare, endearing and hypnotizing. You cared when he was sad, you worried when he was in danger, and you cheered at his small victories. I’m sure as he ages, he’ll get tired of being compared to his dad, but you could see a lot of Wil in his performance, the strength and pain in even his most silent of moments. All I have to say about this kid is bravo. Thanks for surprising the hell out of me, Jaden. I’ll be watching more of you, buddy.




The other co-star of the film was our known and beloved Jackie Chan, who, let’s face it people, just plain rocks on so many levels I lost count long ago. In this film, he’s more broken, heart-felt, and you care about his plight, and find yourself appreciating the fact that he needs the boy as much as the boy needs him. It’s a great relationship film as well as the fact it is packed full of valuable lessons and messages you find yourself learning in the same “wax on wax off” style as we see Mr. Han (Chan) teaching our little hero throughout the film.




It was wonderful to watch, a joy to experience, and I can say with full confidence now that my “remake disappointment syndrome” is fully cured. You should go and see this film with a friend of with your kids. Definitely worth the full price ticket, and if you can afford it maybe ONE Nerds Rope to share between you.




Have fun at the Karate Kid! I sure did!

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Filed under: Movie Reviews by Kia