The Karate Kid: Review By Mieko_Siede

The Karate Kid remake has the makings of becoming its own stand alone classic for the family. Taking some subtle cues from the original film starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan take this on and makes it their own.

Although it should have been called, The Kung Fu Kid, this movie stays true to the growing pains of its original counterpart. Dre (Jaden Smith) has relocated to China with his mother so that she can pursue a job opportunity to make a better life for them. He immediately feels out of place as they get acquainted with their new digs. He tries to fit in on his first day taking to an American face by bonding at the park over a game of basketball. Unable to find his rhythm, he tries his hand at ping pong. All the while his attention is drawn to a young girl studying on a bench, Mei Ying. He's reminded quickly that he's an outsider as the local bullies pummel him swelling his eye.

He isn't so easily deterred from making friends with Mai, still he has to deal with the bullies that enjoy picking on the new kid. Meanwhile, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) is the maintenance man to the apartment complex that Dre and his mother reside. He watches Dre in his struggles but shows reluctance to get involved. Only until Dre is faced down and nearly beaten senseless does he stand in. This begins the start to their slow building relationship. After taking Dre to face his attackers at their martial arts studio he agrees to train Dre and teach him "real" kung fu.

Together they learn from one another about life. Dre learns to stand up for himself. He learns to focus his aggression while learning to respect all aspects of life. As Dre learns to face his fears and builds a relationship with Mei, Mr. Han also learns from his student. Dealing with the guilt of his family's death, he became a recluse, shut off from the world. Dre shows him how to breathe again. He shows him how to stand up after life has knocked him down. During their journey together they build a bond beyond teacher/student and become like family.

Much like Mr. Miyagi and Daniel-san, Mr. Han and Dre learn life lessons through the bonding experience of martial arts. But The Karate Kid is much more than that, it's a heartwarming experience. Far from perfect, you are still drawn in as you witness the growing pains of both characters. You are drawn in and begin to care about the plights of them and those connected. As a movie goer, I wasn't expecting much of this film. In the end I was pleasantly surprised with the final result. As family fun movies go, I highly recommend this film. Don't go expecting the greatest martial arts or most stellar acting performances you've ever seen. But expect to have fun as it pays homage to the original while taking on its own character.

"Take off the jacket...Now put it on...Now take it off...Hang it up...Take it down...Hang it up...Take it down...Put it on...Take it off...Hang it up............."