‘The Karate Kid’ Has Same Chops as Original By Art Byrd

I can still remember watching the original 1984 “The Karate Kid” with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. It had all the elements I enjoy in a film: heartfelt scenes, great action, and romance. The film makes you root for the underdog.

As the film “Rocky,” the boxing classic, appealed to an adult audience, the original “The Karate Kid” was geared to young adults. I believe young adults need to see a film about a good kid who meets trouble head-on with wisdom and shear, hard work.

“The Karate Kid” remake is produced by actor Will Smith and stars his 12-year-old son, Jaden, as Tre, as the new Karate Kid. The film is set in China, which charts it on a different course than the original.

Jaden makes this film work with his screen presence as a kid who can be very meek, strong and normal, all at the same time.

Jackie Chan takes over the Mr. Miyagi role as Mr. Han, the handy man at the apartment building Tre moves into with his mother, Sherry, played by the brilliant Taraji P. Henson. They have been transplanted from Detroit to China. Chan looked aged in the film -- as if he has lived an interesting life and has the wisdom to go along with it.

Both Jaden and Chan make the iconic roles their own.

Director Harald Zwart follows the same story line as the original. That brings up the drawback of a redo: the audience already knows how it will end. But the film follows every part we loved about the original, and the China locations were beautiful.

The sweetness of Jaden comes out in his friendship/romance with Meiying, played by Wenwen Han. In a romantic situation, it is very important to have the right female lead. Han was perfect, as she was nice and had smile to melt the audience’s and Tre’s heart.

The early fight scenes were very realistic, and it looked and felt like Tre was getting beat up badly. The final fight scene had the movie theater’s audience cheering along and then clapping. I have not experienced audience enthusiasm like this since the “Rocky” films’ fight scenes. The audience even clapped at the end. That is why I love seeing a film in an actual theatre and not just at home – for that bond with others experiencing the same thing.

If you never saw the original “The Karate Kid,” you will enjoy this movie’s elements -- such as heart-tugging moments, extreme action and tender romance. If you did see the original “The Karate Kid,” expect the same story, different actors, but the exact same feel-good experience from way back when.

Edited by Michele Ristich Gatts