The Karate Kid [2010] [DVD]

Ok, I'm going to have to admit it, I loved this movie. I approached this with no small degree of trepidation, since the original had a special place in my memory from my younger days, and I had the horrible feeling that a remake would just be more of the same but without Pat Morita and with a predictable dose of sweetener in it. But I was wrong - the story has been sufficiently given a new dimension by setting it in China, meaning the theme of the outsider being shunned is all the more relevant. Also Kung Fu is somehow a more appropriate martial art than Karate. The biggest and best surprise is in the casting - Jaden Smith is more than ever a mini-Will Smith with all the charisma that implies, but it is Jackie Chan that is quite a revelation, genuinely acting and emoting in a believable way, without his usual tongue in cheek approach. The end result is a genuine and quite affecting story with believable characters, which nods to the original in a satisfying way, without ever treading the same ground too obviously - no `wax on, wax off' here, but a novel alternative instead. It's a little grittier than the original, in a way that helps sell the danger in a more believable way, but leavens it with just enough heart to keep it in PG realm.
Yes it is not going to hold any big surprises for you, but if you're half human you're going to find it at least a little heart warming, and if it suffers a little from being somewhat of a Tourism Board approved advert for China at times, well it's beautiful enough scenery to forgive. It's arguably better than the original in many ways, better written, better fight choreography and some better ideas - but I wonder if even with all that going for it, it struggles to match the teacher - pupil chemistry of the original . Having said that, this is a real treat, far exceeded my expectations - recommended.

My 7 year old loved the fight sequences.....but I think for his age group they were brutal. I am glad I watched it with my son to tell him it takes years of practice to get the moves/balance/flexibility...plus to tell him the 'healing' technique Jackie Chan carried out should not be attempted...ever! Just wanted to warn other parents who thought the film was merely harmless fun.

Remakes are now a well-established staple of the Hollywood output and as you would expect the quality of these films differ wildly. So it was a joy to watch a film like Karate Kid to see how a remake should be handled.

It rejuvenated and modernised the story whilst staying true to the essence of the original. Jaden Smith plays Dre, who is moved to China with his Mother due to a job relocation. At first he doesn't fit in. He runs into trouble pretty quickly and then continues to be bullied at school. That is until he meets Mr Han who can teach him Kung Fu.

Okay so yes the film is clichéd and yes it trots out all the familiar tropes you would expect. However this is just pure entertainment. When a film is enjoyable and well made it doesn't matter if it sticks rigidly to formula.

Jaden Smith is a joy to watch. He embodies his character very well and really gets stuck in to the story. His relationship with Jackie Chan's Mr Han is very well portrayed and they really do feel like friends. The martial arts on display is great fun in a kiddie friendly sort of way and the tournament at the end displays some proper feel good cheesy moments.

There are some faults with the film. Some moments are just a little too cheesy and clichéd. The moment when Dre finds out about Han's past and family feels a little shoe horned in to give Dre some credible motivation for his training. There could have been a few more fight scenes to break up the family saga and training montages but overall this is a really enjoyable film.

A remake that should definitely be given a chance. Great family fun.