This remake was comfortably familiar and yet surprisingly different – in a good way. I’ll be the first to admit that I fell in love with this movie when I was a kid and demanded that I take karate lessons. I even own the older version of which my kids watch from time to time. They really were excited about seeing the updated story and so was I. We were not disappointed.
This movie is so endearing because it really isn’t about the bullies or the karate. It’s about a boy that finds true friendship, a father figure and strength within himself. An amazing story. Jaden Smith who plays Dre did an awesome job portraying this role as well as the other kids that played the support characters. The acting in this version – in my opinion, was much better than the older version. Jackie Chan, uh, need I say more. The setting was wonderful and added to the feeling of alienation and misplacement that Dre felt. He was in a foreign land in which he didn’t speak the language or have any friends or family nearby. When a kid is in that situation, they cling desperately to the friendships that develop, and this movie portrayed that sweetly. His mentor and adopted father figure, shows his imperfections, his loneliness – only to find that a kid, not his own could love him.
The fight moves in this movie – awesome! I even got teary eyed. My kids all agreed, they could see it again. This is a great family movie and earns the 5 out of 5 stars, for scenery, storyline and just because it was an improvement of an already touching tale.
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3 comments:
I just came back from watching this movie a few hours ago, and I LOVED it. I saw the original versions, and I loved those too, but this one was so much better, so much more endearing, as you said.
Jaden's acting was phenomenal, especially for a young kid, and Jackie Chan--I don't need to say more either, do I? I love him.
The movie made me cry twice, and when he talked about going home, I got teary eyed. My brother's karate class (who we went with since they were having their demonstration at the theater) also enjoyed it. I'd love to see it again.
Thanks for the review!
I SO want to see this! Very disappointed when the kids didn't get all excited and demand to go. I may have to go without them! :)
I took karate lessons because of the movie too! I'm glad to hear you approve of the remake. I can't wait to see it!
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