The Karate Kid

Director: Howard Zwart
Cast: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P Henson, Wenwen Han and Zhenwei Wang
Releasing in cinemas: 1 July 2010 (QLD, VIC, TAS) & 8 July 2010 (NSW, SA, WA)
Rated: M

This remake of John G Avildsen’s 1984 classic The Karate Kid is one of the better remakes of recent years. While it remains faithful to the original, journeyman director Harald Zwart (The Pink Panther 2) ensures that the film also manages to establish its own identity. The film was shot on location in China and it probably should have been renamed The Kung Fu Kid, as that is the martial art of choice in that country. But that is a minor quibble about a film that is actually very good. The film runs for over 130 minutes, and there is some padding as the filmmakers try to include some insights into the culture and natural beauty of contemporary China.

The main protagonist here is 12 year old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith, the son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, who are also credited as producers). Dre is resentful when he is transplanted from his familiar Detroit to Beijing when his widowed mother (Taraji P Henson) moves there for work. He has trouble adjusting to the unfamiliar customs here, especially when he finds himself bullied by a group of Chinese youths. They are trained at a dojo where their sensei instils in them the motto: “No weakness, no pain, no mercy.”

There is no iconic Mr Miyagi here; instead Dre finds help from Mr Han (Jackie Chan), the maintenance man who works in their block of flats. Mr Han has his own tragic life and personal demons to work through, but he eventually agrees to train Dre for an upcoming kung-fu tournament so he can face his tormentors. Han teaches Dre discipline, focus, respect, and shows him that kung fu is not merely a means of fighting but it also shapes every aspect of how one leads their life. “When life knocks you down you get back on your feet,” Han tells his youthful charge. A strong bond of friendship develops between the alienated boy and the sad Han.

A tentative romance between Dre and a violin prodigy (Wenwen Han) feels a little forced, and this subplot only serves to further reinforce that sense of cultural displacement felt by Dre.

This is one of the best things Chan has done in his uneven career in Hollywood, and he brings a sly humour and quiet strength to his performance as the wise mentor. He is perfectly cast, and his martial arts work is as usual fine. Young Smith has a natural screen presence and appeal and is very good here. He is slightly built, small and vulnerable, which lends credence to his role as the victim of bullies.

Anyone familiar with the original film will know the outcome of the climactic tournament, but it is still exciting stuff. Some of the violence is a little brutal for younger audiences, so parents should exercise discretion.

Greg King

Read more of Greg King's reviews at filmreviews.net.au