The Karate Kid, 2010

The Karate Kid. Columbia Pictures, 2010. (Feature Film) starring Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith and Taraji P. Hensen. Directed by Harald Zwart.

Fans of the original Karate Kid film will not be disappointed. Those who were NOT fans of the original film may be pleasantly surprised. Not only does this movie boast high-profile main characters (Jaden Smith, son of superstar Will Smith, and co-staring international martial arts actor Jackie Chan),but it is well-made to boot. Everything from soundtrack, cinematography and quality of acting are solid and enjoyable through-out. My one warning: not for a realist. The odds of a young boy who has never done martial arts before rising up the ranks and winning a huge tournament are slim, as are the chances of most mothers allowing their twelve year old sons to run around the streets of Beijing alone (as the mother in this movie does). But that is not the point of the movie. This movie is meant to be a feel-good story with heart.

The material and subject matter will appeal especially to tweens: first love, displacement and culture shock, loss and grief, school bullies, right and wrong, honor, and achieving goals and dreams. And, like his father, Jaden Smith has an attractive, winsome way about him that young girls and boys alike will appreciate.The soundtrack is appealing to both tweens and adults, featuring the likes of Lady Gaga, John Mayer, and Justin Beiber.

As an adult, I appreciated the attention to detail as the characters experience a foreign country for the first time, and the ability to acknowledge both the positive experiences and the challenges of moving abroad. Jakie Chan's portrayal of the reluctant martial arts instructor was surprisingly genuine and dramatic. The references to the original movie were blatant, and brought a smile of nostalgia to my face as I once again rooted for the underdog.

One slight annoyance: the title of the movie is The Karate Kid and yet, because of Jackie Chan's influence, the protagonist actually learns Kung Fu. I understand why this is done, but in 20 years it will be quite confusing to some.