REVIEW: THE KARATE KID (2010): PG
I can't tell you low my expectations were for this film. Sure, who doesn't like Jackie Chan? And Jaden Smith was OK in "Pursuit of Happyness," but it was is father who got the Oscar nomination after all. So why should this movie blow me away?
There are 2 things I got to confess: 1. I haven't seen the original or any of its sequels. 2. If I was 6 years younger, this would probably be my favorite movie EVER.
The first thing to love about this film is its excellent cinematography broadcasting the brilliant scenery of Chinese culture without being too stereotypical. I think it deserves an Oscar for it. Next we take into consideration Jaden Smith is 12. His acting skills haven't fully developed, but he makes the most of his underdog character's gawky attitude. His mother, Teraji P. Henson was great and Oscar-nominated in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and also good in the drama "Baby Boy;" this movie plays her strengths to the stressed out mother/human being she ALWAYS plays, even when she was in "Button." Broaden your horizons, Teraji.
Is it any surprise Jackie Chan has the best performance in this movie, as the quiet, layered, secretive master/maintenance man Mr. Han (not Miyagi anymore.) Certainly it's one of Chan's greatest turns.
Finally what you have to respect about "Karate Kid" is that it never takes itself too seriously, and never brings out the awful cliches some movies wear proudly. It has a good villain, a satisfying enough plot everyone sees coming, but somehow you 2nd guess yourself right before the climax because it brings so much tension to the playing field. If you haven't seen this film, go see it, even at 2 hrs. and 20 mins. it doesn't seem long at all.
Rating: 9/10
There are 2 things I got to confess: 1. I haven't seen the original or any of its sequels. 2. If I was 6 years younger, this would probably be my favorite movie EVER.
The first thing to love about this film is its excellent cinematography broadcasting the brilliant scenery of Chinese culture without being too stereotypical. I think it deserves an Oscar for it. Next we take into consideration Jaden Smith is 12. His acting skills haven't fully developed, but he makes the most of his underdog character's gawky attitude. His mother, Teraji P. Henson was great and Oscar-nominated in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and also good in the drama "Baby Boy;" this movie plays her strengths to the stressed out mother/human being she ALWAYS plays, even when she was in "Button." Broaden your horizons, Teraji.
Is it any surprise Jackie Chan has the best performance in this movie, as the quiet, layered, secretive master/maintenance man Mr. Han (not Miyagi anymore.) Certainly it's one of Chan's greatest turns.
Finally what you have to respect about "Karate Kid" is that it never takes itself too seriously, and never brings out the awful cliches some movies wear proudly. It has a good villain, a satisfying enough plot everyone sees coming, but somehow you 2nd guess yourself right before the climax because it brings so much tension to the playing field. If you haven't seen this film, go see it, even at 2 hrs. and 20 mins. it doesn't seem long at all.
Rating: 9/10
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