It Should Be Called The Kung-Fu Kid

If they called it that they couldn't piggy back on an already recognizable franchise. I know they hoped we wouldn't notice it wasn't karate the kid was learning. I mean how could we miss that? They only use the words 'KUNG-FU' every two minutes.


The setting may have changed but the story is basically the same. There is a kid who moves to a place where he is an outsider. The kid has difficulty fitting in. The kid likes a girl who is liked by a boy who has no problem kicking the crap out of the first kid. A lonely older man takes interest in the boy and teaches him a martial art not so he can fight but so he doesn't HAVE TO fight. The boy enters a martial arts tournament and gains respect from the bully kid. He also gets the girl.


It has been so long since I have seen this story so I was primed for a re-imagining. The first Karate Kid movie is one of my all time movie touchstones. Like 'Back to the Future' I can remember where I was and what I was doing when it came out. It is still one of those movies I watch on the satellite despite what part I am coming in on. The ending is just one of the greatest moments in cinema history. (GO crane technique)

This time, however, the role of the kid is played by Jaden Smith and the adult kung-fu master is played by Jackie Chan.

Having cast a black kid in the role was a great idea. He doesn't fit into his new world culturally or physically. At least Daniel Russo could hide in a crowd. This poor black kid stands out like pepper on rice.


Jaden is, however, great in this, his first starring role. He acted with his father Will Smith in 'The Pursuit of Happiness' and has a mother who was in the final two Matrix movies. If there was ever a case to be made for genetics influencing career choice, this is a case study. Young Smith is very appealing and very watchable and brings something fresh to the role. When he cries, I cry.


Jackie Chan was also a great choice for the role of mentor. He is one of those martial arts actors that I never tire of watching. He may have aged but his style and sense of humor hasn't gone away.

I must have been tired or needy today but I thought the movie was great. I totally bought into the relationship between the master and his student. I rooted for both of them to succeed all the way.

The 'fish out of water' scenes were excellent as was the sweet romance between Jaden Smith and a pretty violinist. I thought the training moments were fresher than most we have seen since the 80s when a training montage was essential for any action movie. Chan's low tech way of teaching Jaden was fun to watch.

Yes, it is predictable but that is it's charm. Setting the story in China gave a familiar tale an almost mythic quality. You know the story beats and you can't wait for them to occur. I look forward to a sequel.