ALARIS' REVIEWS

20th September 2010
The Karate Kid (2010)

Remaking a classic movie like The Karate Kid (1984) was always going to be hazardous. Casting Jaden Smith (from The Pursuit of Happyness, 2006) and Jackie Chan (needs no introduction) made it sound like the rebooted movie was going to be emotionally harrowing slapstick.

There wasn’t nearly enough slapstick.

Dre Parker (Smith) and his mother (Taraji P Henson) have just relocated to China, and Dre is lonely, lost, and being bullied at school. Enter Mr Han (Chan), an antisocial maintenance worker who must transform Dre from an undisciplined child to a kung fu hotshot before a martial arts tournament in which Dre’s tormentors will be competing.

The Karate Kid remake isn’t painfully bad, but it’s disappointingly mediocre. It doesn’t have enough pace for an action movie, and the plotting isn’t compelling or sophisticated enough for a meaningful drama. There are moments of humour, but they’re passing asides. Chan’s sole action scene is the comedic highlight of the film, and there should have been more.

The acting can’t really be faulted. Smith is committed to his role, and his naturally plaintive expression lends itself well to tears and anguish. This kid will go far. Drama isn’t Chan’s strong suit, but he’s likeable as always, and his one real, dramatic scene is quite moving.

The Karate Kid sits in an uncomfortable space between low key drama and predictable homage, with some dubious messages about fighting mixed in with the usual proverbs.

The trailer promises high octane, coming of age, culture clash, martial arts drama. What we get is a passable drama, with the conviction of a telemovie.

Verdict: A very average martial arts drama: not quite aimed at kids, not quite aimed at adults, not quite…aimed.

If you’re a diehard Jackie Chan fan, you might enjoy this.