This engaging remake of the classic 1984 original features Will Smith’s talented son, Jaden Smith, as Dru Parker. Dru and his mother move to China (she’s transferred because of her job). Dru immediately runs afoul of some thuggish teens. After taking a lot of physical punishment at their hands, Dru decides to learn karate. He finds an unlikely teacher: the maintenance man in his apartment building, Mr. Han (played by the genial Jackie Chan) who just happens to be a kung-fu master. Some of the training takes place in the scenic area around The Great Wall. Very nice. The story is predictable, but Jaden Smith’s charisma will carry you through to the exciting conclusion. GRADE: B+
I don’t know if anyone can replace Ralph Macchio
Jaden Smith may give old Ralph a challenge, Patti. I found his performance convincing.
Remakes, remakes… why on earth can’t movie makers either come up with an original idea or convert a novel into a film without ruining it? I guess the answer to that is the last original thinker left Hollywood thirty years ago, or maybe more.
It’s all about risk, Rick. Ticket buyers loved THE KARATE KID in 1984 so you have a built-in audience for the remake in 2010. The same goes for IRON MAN 2, SEX & THE CITY 2, TOY STORY 3, etc. Hollywood is all about making money, not Art or entertainment.
So you figure they think people want to watch the same movie every 20-30 years? Then why not watch the original? I understand it’s about money, but a sequel is one thing, a remake an entirely different animal.
You might want to read The Hollywood Economist: The Hidden Financial Reality Behind the Movies by Edward Jay Epstein, Rick. That’s where I get most of my Hollywood economics takes.
This is a worthwhile switch on the original. I find Hollywood lazy, too, but on the other hand, there’s more than one Hamlet movie.
I’m not sure Hollywood is lazy, Max, just risk-adverse. The thought process for preferring remakes to original movies centers around the perception that remakes are less risky. Broadway seems to taking the same path with play revivals (PROMISES, PROMISES and FENCES) come to mind.