It’s too long. It glorifies modern China. And, some of the hand-to-hand violence is too intense for smaller children who will be naturally inclined to want to see this reboot of “The Karate Kid” brand.
If you go
“Karate Kid”
3 out of 5 stars
Stars: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan
Director: Harald Zwart
Rated PG for bullying, martial arts action violence and some mild language.
Running time: 132 minutes
But I’m going to recommend it mildly anyway, at least for family audiences with sufficiently mature children. Why? Because despite its drawbacks, the lavishly staged action drama is a welcome rarity among summer blockbusters aimed at families these days. It features an inspiring, character-based story and a surprisingly compelling last act. It stars a complex young protagonist role model in the charming, talented Jaden Smith who is neither precocious nor bratty. And, the action scenes have excitement without having to rely on easy conceits like cartoons, computerized special effects, or idiotic talking animals. After Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi coached Ralph Macchio so famously in the 1980s and Hilary Swank in 1994, today’s redo is the fifth movie in the “KK” franchise. Not only does it change the martial arts discipline of choice from karate to kung fu, it comes with a fresh hero in a fish-out-of-water tale filmed in China.
A small 12-year-old black American from Detroit, Dre Parker (Smith), has trouble assimilating when his mother (Taraji P. Henson) is transferred to Beijing for work. Although Dre befriends a nice gal pal there, a group of much bigger boys bully and beat him up terribly. Luckily, his building’s maintenance man is a secret kung fu master who will cleverly train and mentor the terrified boy to face off against his brutal enemies with dignity — in a predictable but satisfying kung fu tournament climax.
Stunt clown Jackie Chan gives a shockingly moving, restrained performance as Mr. Han, the troubled elder who teaches Dre about both self-defense and the power of a spiritual way of life. There’s some serious acting between the pair. This may be attributable more to its producers — Jaden’s parents, savvy thespians Will and Jada Pinkett Smith — than its director Harald Zwart (“Agent Cody Banks,” “The Pink Panther 2”).
“Karate Kid” also serves as a gorgeous, inviting travelogue for its location. Reportedly, the Chinese government’s usually restrictive film bureau didn’t just give permission for the elaborate production, it also partially funded it.
