Review of The Karate Kid (2010) by Adam L — 25 Nov 2012

One of the most frustrating things about the oversaturation of remakes in the last decade is the update either ruthlessly bastardizes its source material ("Death Race") or is a thinly veiled attempt to cash-in on a popular foreign language film remarketed to English speaking audiences who would otherwise refuse to read subtitles ("The Grudge").

Given that no film whether cult or classic is considered hollowed ground to the dim gold digging cockroaches pouring out of the crevices in Starstruck Town it was only a matter of time then before Hollywood looked to reupholster the young adult classic "The Karate Kid" (1984).

Generation X could probably think of fewer staples of Regan era Americana they'd like to see receive a new millennium upgrade of less and perhaps that's why it may come as a surprise to some and a shock to others that "The Karate Kid" remake works as well as it does.

The key to the remake's charm isn't in the likeable chemistry recreated by stars Jayden Smith and rapidly aging martial arts icon Jackie Chan but how well the new film both honors its inspiration by effectively lifting several key sequences from the original and reimagining ones that decidedly no longer lend themselves to do-overâ(TM)s.

In a bold move, "The Karate Kid" one-up's its predecessor by moving the proceeding to mainland China capturing the nation's many awe-inspiring locales through Roger Pratt's cinematography that proves so affective it feels as if you're discovering China for the first time not unlike the film's pint-sized protagonist.

Adding to the items one would never expect to see in a Hollywood remake of "The Karate Kid" starring 56-year-old Jackie Chan, the martial arts choreography is fast, fresh, and inventive -- a tribute to the actor's namesake and something sorely missing from Chan's below average Hollywood output.

Sure, "The Karate Kid" isn't without its setbacks: as good as Chan is here his Mr. Han does not possess the depth or the comedic timing of Pat Moritaâ(TM)s immortal Mr. Miyagi. And while 11-year-old Jayden Smith is quickly becoming one of the most reliable young actors in Hollywood despite doing little more than acting out his father's imprint the role is still better suited for teenager; those volatile years of confusion resonating more with the stranger in a strange land trope.

Further, one gets the impression the remake pulls a punch by only implying there's more than just the protagonist's foreign status that has caused him to draw the ire of his Chinese classmates when he falls for an adorable violinist (excellently portrayed by newcomer Han Wenwen).

Then again when you consider everything "The Karate Kid" remake does right it's hard to get hung-up on the few things that it does wrong.

Wax on.