Review: The Karate Kid (2010)

Jackie Chan turns master in this flick, 'The Karate Kid'. Is it worth the watch? Is it the usual Jackie Chan flick? Find out the answer below.

Harald Zwart, the director who made average flick 'The Pink Panther 2' and 'Agent Cody Banks' is back with 'The Karate Kid', which seems to be an above average flick carved out with a huge budget and a protagonist duo of Legend Jackie Chan and a budding legend Jaden Smith but the latter takes much of the screen space and literally steals the thunder but he does it with stupendous awe. This movie takes him to high altitudes in terms of his acting skills and the little chap needs serious 'pats on the back' for his brilliant performance in 'The Karate Kid'.

The movie on the whole is a huge drag, runs for over 2 hrs. It could have been loved even more if the drags were dropped but the director thinks this serene version of the classic would work. Seriously, it works wonders.


PLOT:
12- year old Dre parker moves to Beijing owing to his mom's sudden transfer of work.And then there is the usual, He totally hates the place, he meets a cute girl, he gets bullied by her admirants (:P) and then it turns out to be a one-on-one encounter between the kids. They choose a kung-fu tournament to display their wits.

Such is the story of The Karate Kid. Doesn't it seem to be 'Kollywoodish'. Yes, it does and the stunts and drama make it similar to one South-Indian flick.


But what makes it click in the viewers' mind is the style, the charisma, the stunts of young lad Jaden Smith and of course the mesmerizing music of James Horner coupled with some really awe-inspiring cinematographic shots by Roger Pratt (of Troy and Harry Potter 2 & 4 fame).

Jaden finds love, Jaden finds kung-fu, Jaden finds acting, Jaden conquers it all. Will Smith's magnetism is felt all over Jaden's expression. He certainly has made his dad real proud. You've done it, Jaden. Keep up the good work going. His mere screen presence and eloquent dialogue delivery shows his panache and his apprehension of cinema in such a young age.Hats off to you!

Jackie Chan, probably for the first time in his life doesn't beat up anybody and neither does his funny bone (Screen presence in itself) tickle ours. He surprisingly plays a serious teacher without any fuss. At the end of the movie, you just take him as a ordinary character in the movie and the only reason for this is Jaden Smith's ecstatic and powerful performance.


Music by James Horner (of Avatar fame) is simply spellbinding, hypnotic and soulful. It simply boosts up your energy and deviates it to your heart and mind only to LOVE the movie even more.

Cinematographer Roger Pratt adds life to the existing beauty of the exotic locales of China. It looks like as if you are watching discovery or national geographic channel (It wasn't an offense of any sort. I meant only the scenery to resemble those coming in the mentioned channels and nothing else. :) )

The stunts were stunning with the average viewer wanting more of it.

All in all, The Karate Kid gets a two thumbs up from me. Watch it in the theatres to get engraved in Harold Zwart's The Karate Kid.

Negatives: A little stretched, less of stunts, little over dramatic.

Positives: Music. Camera. Screenplay. Dialogues. Depth in storyline. Sticking to the classic story. and Jaden Smith's screen presence all the way.



Watch it for the soulful music, Watch it for the magical imagery.Watch it for Jackie Chan's sombre yet inspiring avatar. Watch it for Jaden Smith's amazing and charismatic performace.
If not for all these, Watch it for the entertaining summer movie experience.


Rating: 3.5/5


The Karate Kid : Magical, Soulful, Inspiring and of course Entertaining!