"The Karate Kid" delivers a high-kicking knockout revamp

Director: Harald Zwart

Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Genre: Action

Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan

There comes a point in movies where new ideas are no longer original. A point where the characters and setting may be new but the themes and concepts have already been introduced to us in the past. The downfall of new films are that they never really reach the level of their predecessors. I'm going out on a limb here to say that Harald Zwart's attempt is a very respectable remake of the martial art's classic.

The story is ultimately the same - young boy and his mother move to a new city where said boy is picked on by a gang of bullies. Young boy learns self-defense from neighborhood maintenance guy and is forced to face his arch rival in head to head combat at the story's climax. What differs here are the details. Instead of 17 year old Daniel-san we have 12 year old "Xiao" Dre Parker (Jaden Smith); instead of Mr. Miyagi we get Mr. Han (Jackie Chan); instead of the prolific crane stance we get the snake; and of course, instead of karate in California, we get kung-fu in China.

Now I'm a purist and it irks me to no extent that a movie entitled "Karate Kid" has absolutely zero karate. However, the 2010 redux accurately conveys many of the issues and plot dynamics that made the original so good. Whether it be Mr. Han's struggles with his own past, our hero's love interest, or even just the every-day activity-turned fight training, Zwart has spared no expense in making his film thorough. And at a run time of roughly 135 minutes in length, it is reassuring to note that every single scene that happens, happens for a reason.

The acting is stellar. Jackie Chan shows that he is more than just an action/comedy star. There is enough emotional depth in his character to garner the sympathy of the audience. Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith) shows astounding versatility for a young actor his age.

The story is very fun too! The kind of trouble Dre gets into as a 12 year old in China is pretty intense - and that makes for one heck of a ride. Harald Zwart really did his research when he created this film. Bruce Lee compared jeet kun do, his martial art based on the foundation of kung fu, to water - like water, his art was formless and could take any shape and move at any speed. Zwart seemingly followed this philosophy as "The Karate Kid" has a form and pace that would make even Bruce Lee smile in acknowledgement.

4 out of 5 stars.

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