Who’s in it?: Jaden Smith (Pursuit of Happyness, The Day the Earth Stood Still-2008), Jackie Chan (Rush Hour, Rumble in the Bronx)

Remakes.  You know you cringe every time you hear about another one.  I know I do and I did especially when I heard about this one.  After all, it happened because Will Smith was looking for a movie series for his 11 year-old son, which is enough to make you want to throw up already.  The original movie is one of my all-time childhood favorites.  As far as I was concerned, this movie was fucking untouchable.  I was for sure I would hate this piece of shit.

But guess what?  

Now, don’t get all crazy excited.  It’s not a blow your mind, movie, but it’s not that bad either if you can get past little Will — I mean Jaden Smith.  You may not be able to watch and re-watch the way most people can with the original, but it’s a good thanks to Jackie Chan, it’s a decent movie.  It’s well written and well acted.  Admit, it, Ralph Macchio sucks.  You know you want to slap him, when he’s riding around on his bike with those goofy fucking grins.  This movie is missing that goofy charm. Jaden is too busy acting like dad. Jacking Chan is fucking awesome as Mr. Han, this movie’s “Mr. Miyagi”.  He’s a bit more tragic and Chan is perfect.

The Karate Kid really benefits from a shift from California to China, where they take kung-fu very seriously.  The scenery is amazing and helps to add a mystical edge to the story.  The villains are kids and not quite the threat of Johnny and the Kobra Kai, but the fights are for the most part pretty intense, considering they’re all 12-ish.  Am I sadistic because I found it fairly entertaining to watch these little kids beat the crap out of each other?

The relationship between Dre and Mr. Han is what makes this movie.  Jaden definitely has the Will Smith charm, which is better than Daniel-san’s whiny bitch attitude the pussed around with in the original.  There’s no wax on/wax off bullshit. It’s actually worse. So forget the memorable training montages.

This movie isn’t perfect.  The soundtrack is God awful but the movie is tolerable.  It’s a sad attempt at having a hip and energetic soundtrack.  John Mayer, Justin Bieber, Lady GaGa.  There’s some Chili Peppers thrown, I think AC/DC.  It’s such a random collection of music that just never fits.  Other than that, it’s a little on the long side, clocking in at 2 hours and 20 minutes but it’s not bad if you give it a chance.

9/10

Would I recommend this movie?: Absolutely.  If you’re a fan of the original, it’s about the same thing minus the cheesey 80’s nerdy bull shit cliches.  Just go in with an open mind and enjoy.  It’s just a movie and for a remake, it’s pretty fucking good.