The Karate Kid

Release Date: Jun 11, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 20 min. 

Director: Harald Zwart 

Cast: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji Henson, Wang Ji, Harry Van Gorkum.

Seeing as remakes aren’t a rarity these days, it was only a matter of time before the next “Karate Kid” made its way to theaters. This time around, Will Smith’s mini-me, Jaden Smith, tackles the role with surprisingly valiant effort. Despite my initial reservations about the casting choice for the title role, Smith’s inherent personality gives a refreshing quality that’s of his own accord. Though young in age and still inexperienced, he shows potential in what could be a budding acting career. Jackie Chan, in turn, takes on a change of persona with his first serious role in American cinema. While he is no Mr. Miyagi, Chan gives depth to the character of Mr. Han that superimposes on his stereotypical roles in the past. Acting as both a teacher and father figure, he has a good grasp on delivering humor with an unyielding expression and attitude. The story has a slow buildup but gradually strengthens in terms of character development that stretches over the course of 2.5 hours. Understandably, the relationship between the protagonist and his love interest becomes awkward at times due to their youthful age, as well as the believability of such brutal violence. But the film delivers on emotion and triumph through as many means as possible. In the face of ideas being borrowed from the original, it holds its ground as a bona fide remake. 

Rating: 3½ stars