Oh no another remake! Another 80's film remake as well, has Hollywood run out of original ideas? I doubt it, I just think the studios like the easy option, and remakes are that option.
I don't mind them to be honest and sometimes they could do with a remake. I perfer the Texas Chainsaw remake, the Dawn of the Dead was much superior to the original. But they got it wrong with the Amityville horror, and oh so wrong with The Omen.
So the Karate Kid gets a makeover, now to me the original is a 'good' movie, nothing special it's just good. A prime candidate for a remake, re-model, re-boot! Whatever this was, I was looking forward to it, plus it has Jackie Chan in it!
For me this film is so much better than the original. It has more heart and emotion, the story works so much better by moving it to China. Now you really feel for Jaden Smith's character, it feels like he really is out of place, up against it and fighting to survive in this new Country. The fact you are now in the home of Kung Fu gives it even more power. And then we have Jackie Chan, a legend of the Martial Arts cinema, giving a superb performance as the handy man come kung fu master. Chan drives home the theory of Kung Fu, "it's in everything we do", and Smith learns!
Both Smith and Chan are outstanding, I really believed in both characters, they made the film work. The rest of the cast perform well, but the next star of this movie is China, Zwart gives us some beautiful images from the Great Wall of China to a stunning cliff top Monastory, and much more through out the film.
Again it all adds to the film. The final part for me was the fight sequences, nearly all well shot, only the odd time did the camera come in too close to spoil the action, but come the Tournament and we have some superb fights!
Another fine aspect was the music, stunning at times usually when Zwart was giving us some wonderful shots of China.
How close is it to the original? Pretty close, with some nice homages throughout the film.
Overall, i really enjoyed it, much more emotion, you felt for the lead character and Chan was just superb! (9/10)
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