The Karate Kid

[klwilliams]

The original Karate Kid is one of my favorite movies, and one of the best movies about martial arts ever made. I saw the remake tonight and liked it quite a bit, but even though it followed the original fairly closely, with some nice touches of its own, it didn't move me the same way. Perhaps it's because I'm older (probably) or because the young actors are several years younger than the originals, but the power wasn't there for me. However, for my younger godson, who is ten years old and an almost-black belt in karate, I hope this version moves him the way the original moved me, and inspires him in the same way.

Jackie Chan did the best job acting that I've seen him do to date, in a different kind of role than I've seen. Jaden Smith was excellent. One bit in this movie that I liked is that Jaden Smith's character cried when he was hurt or unhappy instead of acting tough. He had a ton of heart, which really is what matters.

Go see this movie, and take one of your favorite (bigger) kids along.