The Karate Kid is yet another rehash of a famed Hollywood movie that tries to capitalise on the success of its predecessor and fails. The newest installation greets us with Dre Parker (Jayden Pinkett-Smith-aka son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett) and Jackie Chan (Mr. Han). This time Dre (Pinkett-Smith) arrives with his narrative mother in Hong Kong due to her employment relocation to a car factory in Hong Kong.
Soon we realise there are three threads to this movie: 1) Dre is enamoured by a pretty Chinese school girl who reciprocates his feelings; 2) He is also chased by school bullies who try to make hi life hell; and 3) A growing relationship with Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) facilitates the Kung Fu revenge towards the school bullies on Dre's part. The three narratives (which attempt to roll into one) are not cohesive and are badly directed. A good editor would also have halved the waiting time we must undergo before we meet the new mentor for Pinkett-Smith (Perhaps, however, this was the decision of the director).
There are captivating moments in this film and the acting is top notch. jackie Chan is great-as is the extremely talented Pinkett Smith who will have no trouble following in his parents footsteps.
The Karate Kid is a children's movie and will appeal in sensibility to such a demographic. This remains a conscious shift from its previous installation. This is a watchable film but the narrative threads-in pace and sensibility-do not come together to reveal the film structure as a whole. If you want to bring the kids along-by all means-they will love it. if you are trying to relive the 80s hype over the first offering-I advise a serious rain-check.
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