{"id":29,"date":"2010-08-22T17:41:40","date_gmt":"2010-08-22T17:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/?p=29"},"modified":"2010-08-23T09:35:43","modified_gmt":"2010-08-23T09:35:43","slug":"the-karate-kid-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/action\/the-karate-kid-3\/","title":{"rendered":"The Karate Kid – 3*"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It\u2019s the week for the remakes. All those fond childhood memories of TV and films from the 80s, and for some of us fans, a nervous wait to see what\u2019s been done to our beloved characters that were so iconic at the time. So, although The A-Team<\/em><\/a> got a bit of a kicking, there is something quite charming to be had by Harald Zwart<\/a>\u2019s version of The Karate Kid<\/em><\/a> (2010) \u2013 even if it could have done with a bit of a trim here and there.<\/p>\n

This version seems to fill its predecessor\u2019s big boots, both in acting, script and scenery, taking on all the trappings of a big budget epic, but keeping its personable and stirring side, far more than the original did in places, in fact. Yes, little Jaden Smith<\/a> as Dre Parker has the all the charisma and get-up-and-go expected from a 12-year-old starlet from a famous acting couple (the Smiths), and he does handle the emotional moments incredibly well for his years, in both poise and timing, but it\u2019s Jackie Chan<\/a> as Mr Han who steers proceedings on course and gets the real crux of the story going. In fact, the plot up until Mr Han puts his oar in with the bullies is in danger of going a little flat and clich\u00e9d. Even though Smith does his best to flesh out his character and portray how Dre feels moving far from home to a strange city and culture, Smith alone doesn\u2019t have the acting presence to carry the story on much further after this point. Hence the editing suggestion above\u2026<\/p>\n

In some of the most bone-cracking and visually physical fight scenes seen in any kids\u2019 film that actually border on child abuse (with many a \u2018look away\u2019 moment), Chan still manages to \u2018lighten the mood to maim\u2019 between the kids in the most controlled, but humour-filled and sweet-natured way. It\u2019s a play of contradictions: one minute you wince horribly as one kid knocks ten bells out of another, like watching a disturbingly realistic video game, then chuckle manically as the playful Mr Chan disperses a whole gaggle of intense kiddie \u2018killing machines\u2019. Perhaps this is down to the cartoon-style kung fu and his standard, fun-loving characters that he\u2019s associated with, or some clever direction from Zwart, in that he shows \u2018warts and all\u2019 to highlight the impact of bullying, then brings the humour straight back with the arrival of wise-cracking clown Chan. That said Chan gets to demonstrate some impressive tormented moments in a diverse character spectrum that compliments Smith\u2019s performance. Both actors are very well cast opposite each other.<\/p>\n

The Karate Kid<\/em> also serves as a nice little present-day case study of interracial harmony in communist China \u2013 naturally, with all the best, fluffy bits of living in such a vibrant and developing nation rolled out for all Western audiences\u2019 eyes to see. It\u2019s almost like a video postcard, a national advertisement with its modern and historical scenery that will have some considering a visit to the country after watching the film. Others could cynically add that it\u2019s propaganda peddling, mixed up in a coming-of-age drama. Or, perhaps, this is reading too much into it? It certainly crossed the mind.<\/p>\n

Smith Jr., like Smith Snr., has inherited all of Dad\u2019s on- (and off) screen likeability, so placed with goofy Chan they produce an entertaining dynamic in a remake that could actually be better than its legacy, in some respects, with superior writing, direction and action sequences \u2013 well worth catching at the cinema for its values, humility and inspiration. The Karate Kid<\/em><\/a> is like this year\u2019s kung fu Step Up<\/em> or StreetDance<\/em> for all its young characters\u2019 dedication and choreography.<\/p>\n

3\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

By L G-K<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s the week for the remakes. All those fond childhood memories of TV and films from the 80s, and for some of us fans, a nervous wait to see what\u2019s been done to our beloved characters that were so iconic at the time. So, although The A-Team got a bit of a kicking, there is … <\/p>\n

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