The Karate Kid traces its roots to the original film of the same name starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita released in 1984. With a film that scored at the Box Office with an instant home run, the 2010 installment was bound to flop completely if it failed to capture the same magic. The Karate Kid (2010) combines all the right elements to recapture the feel of the original.
The Karate Kid brings together Jaden Smith (Dre Parker) with martial arts superstar Jackie Chan (Mr. Han). Dre Parker and his mother Sherry (Taraji P. Henson) relocate to China as part of a motor industry related job transfer. Following the footprint of the original, Dre finds himself taunted by toughies in his new home. Struggling to adjust, Dre needs to find balance. But he really needs to find a mentor that can help him kick butt. He finds that mentor in Mr. Han. The routine is the same...mundane motions lay the foundation for martial arts moves that later become combination moves. A challenge lands Dre in competition against the tough guys, led by a ruthless sensei (Master Li, played by Rongguand Yu).
Dre-san has a love interest, Meiying (Wenwen Han) along with all the other key elements from the original. Set against the rich backdrop of China, the film skillfully brings together the best elements of the original in a hackneyed but enjoyable tribute. The competition portion of the film seems abbreviated from the original, but employs the same devices of cheating, overcoming physical injury, continuing for the right reasons and ultimately, a show of respect from the losing team. I was amazed that this film managed to move me in spite of how closely it tracked key elements of the original. The film is tastefully done. Writers Robert Mark Kamen (story) and Christopher Murphey (screenplay) understand a winning formula and don't try to get so cute that they lose the magic.
I am a huge fan of Jackie Chan. His antics have taken the martial arts genre to a new level. Rather than simply choreograph fights, Chan manages to incorporate his surroundings into a seamless set of prop-driven reactions to his opposition. Chan's incredible skills are displayed in the film, along with a decent dramatic performance. Jaden Smith had great chemistry with Chan and made the role believable in spite of his wiry build (another homage to the original, Daniel-san?) Henson takes a back seat in the film, but provides a strong supporting performance. Her character is less developed, but delivers some decent "mother moments." The film succeeds on the performances and interaction of Chan and Smith.
Karate Kid (2010) takes the formulaic story and sets it in the rich backdrop of China. Director Harold Zwart did not waste the opportunity to show off some great Chinese landmarks. Beyond the then freshly minted Olympic Stadium, we get to see the Great Wall incorporated into the film along with some great pastoral scenes and a mountain temple. The rich visual qualities frame the story nicely. The quality of the film itself surprised me. I went to the second or third showing and observed a great deal of light fluctuation in the film. I am not sure if it was the theater or the quality of the film, but it was distracting at times. The choreography was also exceptional, featuring young fighters that deliver amazing realism in their fight sequences. A few of the young martial artists were nothing short of spectacular.
So maybe I am a sucker for a good formula. This film tracked the basic tenets of the original so closely that the film was predictable in spite of being an original installment in the franchise. That quality did not ruin the film for me. Even the original was fairly predictable. It is the manner in which the story is allowed to unfold, the truths it holds and the richness of the characters that make it work. The special relationships (who is really helping who?) become the ying and yang heart of the story. It is that quality that reaches the audience. A film true to the original in many ways. IMDb voters have been harsh to this film, with an aggregate 6.2. I am way above that rating. 7.5/10.
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