Movie Review: The Karate Kid 2010

Originally published on Yahoo Voices

'The Karate Kid' 2010 staring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan is a remake of the 1984 classic movie 'The Karate Kid' staring Ralph Macchio and Pat Marita.

This movie is very entertaining and worth watching even if you saw the original. It follows the general plot of the original, but is not an exact duplicate.

The movie starts with a boy name Dre and his mom moving to China. At first Dre experiences the usual relocation problems; missing his old school buddies and entering a new school and a new home. However, Dre soon finds a new friend. Her name is Mei Ling and she likes him. While talking to her, they are approached by a boy named Cheng who wants Mei Ling to stay away from Dre. A fight breaks out between Dre and Cheng. This fight provides the viewer with the nature of both Dre and Cheng. Dre fights like an 11 year old with no Kung Fu training. Cheng is a brutal fighter and a Kung Fu tournament champion. He throws Dre to the ground, wherein Dre lands on his back, at least several times. Each time Dre gets back up and the fight continues. Dre won't give up until he cannot get up. This fight sets the stage for the rest of the film.

Cheng's Kung Fu coach is Master Li. Master Li teaches his students to attack their opponent when their opponent is down. He instructs them to have no mercy.

Dre has no King Fu teacher and no place to turn. He refuses to confide in his mother. He does visit a Kung Fu training center only to find Cheng there. After that, Dre's desperation plays a part in a verbal argument with his mother. Dre needs to learn Kung Fu to protect himself from Cheng who has been bullying him ever since that first fight. But Dre has no one to turn to for help. Or at least, that's what he thinks. He knows the maintenance man, but does not know that the maintenance man, Mr Han, has been watching him.

The acts of Cheng and his friends are nearly maniacal. A fight scene later in the movie reveals how maniacal. Dre is down on the ground in great pain and unable to get up. Yet Cheng moves toward Dre to hit him again after reminding one companion that Master Li said 'No mercy!'

Mr Han is a non-violent person who learned Kung Fu from his father. With Mr Han's help, Dre learns Kung Fu. The story's climax is the King Fu tournament. It is a better climax than the climax in the original movie.

I found the movie very entertaining. It almost becomes the classic story of good against evil. It is a story of a young boy who doesn't quit; a young boy with the courage and determination to pick himself up and try again no matter how many harsh blows life deals him. It is the story of the courage, tenacity and strength one needs to be a success in what often is a heartless, cold world. And that is why I think this movie is well worth watching.