The Karate Kid
Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson
Directed by: Harald Zwart
Opens June 11, 2010
Will Smith’s son Jaden gets his first starring vehicle in this loose remake of the 1984 underdog sports-movie classic, taking on the Ralph Macchio role as a new kid in town who enlists the help of a wise eccentric (Chan) to help him turn the tables on a local pack of bullying martial artists.
What We Think: How loose is this remake? It’s set in Hong Kong, not Reseda; the lead character is twelve, not seventeen; and he learns kung fu, not karate. Watching Pat Morita vanquish cocky high-schoolers in the original was cool; watching Chan beat up sixth-graders in the remake is disturbing.
Cool to Know: Morita received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination in 1985 for his turn as Mr. Miyagi. Don’t expect Chan to repeat the feat.
