The Karate Kid Movie Review! (Sunday, June 27, 2010 / 5:41 AM)
Since my Malaysian trip is a long one and I might not be able to update my blog any sooner since the school's gonna reopen soon, I have decided to bring forward the latest one, the recent movie, The Karate Kid, that I have just watched with my family first before blogging about the Student Councilor Leadership Training Camp and my Malaysia trip in my new post.
I went to watch The Karate Kid with my parents on Friday in Vivo City at 9.50p.m. so by the time the movie ends, it was already 12.30a.m.! In the morning! Yea... The show is kinda long. To be exact, it lasted for 140mins.
It is about Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) and his Mom moving to China due to his mother's new posted job there and how he ended up learning kung fu (since this story is based on the original movie in 1984, they kept the name so there aren't much karate moves but kung fu instead) and adapting himself in China where he previously hated because of its undeveloped state unlike Detroit, where he was staying all the while.
China seems all right at first. Dre meets some new friends and quickly develops a crush on the aspiring violinist, Mei Ying (seriously, I think the girl looked even older than Jaden Smith. They should have used a younger girl. How can a boy that looked like a nine year old have a crush on a girl that looked like a fourteen year old?). Dre shows Mei Ying some smooth moves on the playground. Mei Ying is impressed, but a group of bullies led by Mei Ying’s childhood friend Cheng, is not.
The fight escalates and Dre ends up on the receiving end of some fancy kung fu moves. Dre might be fast, but he’s left defenseless against the martial art skills of Cheng and his gang. The beatings continue every day during school and Dre starts to wish he’d never come to China. I do really pity him at this part of the movie. The way Cheng and his gang bully him were simply cruel and painful.
One day, all that changes. The bullies chase Dre home and surround him. He’s just about to pass out from the beatings when his apartment maintenance man, Mr Han (Jacky Chan), breaks up the fight and kicks some serious butt. Jackie Chan finally show his true colours once again by displaying his real-life kung-fu skills after so many movies! He was so serious and not comical at all during the whole movie!
Dre asks Mr. Han to teach him kung fu, but Mr Han isn't looking for a student. Instead, Mr. Han takes Dre to the kung fu academy where Cheng and the other bullies train so they can make peace. But the bullies don’t want to make peace. Instead their teacher challenges Dre to enter the kung fu tournament. Mr. Han promises to teach Dre the ways of kung fu and their training begins.
Some parts of the movie were real funny. Many people who watched that movie laughed several times. The kung fu moves were just excellent!
During the tournament, there were some parts where Cheng and his other friend was asked by their coach to breakk Dre's leg! OMG! I tell you, it was such an eye-sore because the moves they did on Dre were so painful! If I was in his position, I would cry out loud!
Nonetheless, he did not and he persevered after Mr Han had done the traditional method to cure his broken leg. He did not give up although he was knocked down the second time. That's why the soundtrack of the movie, Never Say Never, sung by Justin Bieber feat. Jaden Smith, was composed!
... I never thought that I could feel this power. I never thought that I could feel this free. I'm strong enough to climb the highest tower. And I'm fast enough to run across the sea. Cuz there's just no turnin back. When your heart's under attack. Gonna give everything I have. Cuz this is my destiny--- And NEVER SAY NEVER... ;D
In the end, he won the tournament and it was a happy ending. Cheng and his other friends from the kung fu academy asked Dre and Mr Han for forgiveness and also respected Mr Han instead of their coach.
Unlike the original, The Karate Kid was shot in China.You get a great sense of what it’s like on the streets of Beijing, and when Dre and his class visit the Forbidden City, you feel like you’re sightseeing too! The teachings of Mr Han can fall a little flat because of bad dialogue, but when Dre finally enters the ring, you can’t help but cheer.
I'll give this movie 3 stars out of 5. One word to describe this movie? Jaw-dropping.
/>
/>
