'The Karate Kid' Movie Review

When I heard about The Karate Kid, I said to myself, "What?! another remake!" We must admit it, almost all movie remakes sucks, only a few really managed to pull it off. The Karate Kid is definitely a classic movie, especially for us cousins. We grew up mimicking his moves known as the crane kick/bicycle kick. To do that, you must put both arms to your sides, raise your arms, and collapses your wrists over your head. Then, simultaneously raise your left knee up to about stomach level. Then wait for your opponent to come forward, then you leaps off your right foot, simultaneously dropping your left foot to the ground, and kicks your opponent with your right foot. LOL! I tried to look for details of that film online, and I'm surprised that the first film is released back in 1984 (I'm not yet born on that year) My cousin is really a huge fan of this movie saga, he has all the copy from I to III. Sadly, he's now in a place we called heaven, so he can't watch this.


Anyway, before I post my review. Please read the plot of the movie first.

When a 12-year-old from Detroit moves to China with his mother and incurs the wrath of the class bully at his new school, he makes an unlikely ally in the form of his aging maintenance man, a kung fu master who teaches him the secrets to self-defense. Upon arriving at his new school, Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) develops a powerful crush on pretty classmate Mei Ying. The feeling is mutual, although the cultural divide between Dre and Mei Ying makes a friendship unlikely, and romance impossible. When cruel classmate and kung fu prodigy Cheng learns of Dre's feelings for Mei Ying, he harasses and humiliates the young outsider in front of the entire school. With no one to turn to for help, Dre confides his fears in kindly maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), a kung fu master who knows that serenity and maturity -- not punches and power -- are the true keys to mastering the martial arts. As Dre prepares to face down his intimidating tormentor, he begins to realize that the real fight is just beginning.

Okay,I'm gonna repeat what I've said on my past movie review post. The secret to enjoying a certain movie is to lower your expectation. Which I did, when I saw that I got an invite to watch the special screening of this movie at SM Megamall. So when I update my status on my social networking sites, some people reacted 'negatively' like: "Wrong choice for choosing Justin Bieber, who sang the theme song", "Why is this called, The Karate Kid when in fact his moves is Kung Fu and "Why did he chosed a black kid, instead of a white one or an Asian"

But suprisingly the movie is good! It has all the lot ingredient to be a box office hit! The funny tandem of Jaden Smith and Taraji P. Henson (who played as her mom, the amazing stunts from The Karate Kid and Jackie Chan. The super nice sceneries of  China. This movie is almost good as the original Kid. 11 year old, Jaden Smith really shined in this movie, that is not surprising because FYI his dad is Will Smith which is also one of the producer of this film.

Karate Kid is now showing on theaters across the Philippines. Released by Columbia Pictures. Rated GP by the MTRCB.

MY RATING: 4.5 / 5.0