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× Related Photos « » Jackie Chan as Mr. Han trains Jaden Smith, who plays Dre Parker, http://www.n26.net.cn/bbs/forum_posts.asp?TID=0&PID=0#0 - Swarovski Necklaces Ferragamo Varina Flats LBJ’s oldest surviving aid , in "The Karate Kid." Enlarge Photo I find myself in the minority amongst movie critics in that I amgenerally not opposed to remakes. Granted most remakes are not verygood, but if you think you've got a fresh take on a familiar moviethen I say you should be able to step up to the plate and take yourcuts, http://www.cheapestferragamoshoes.com - http://www.cheapestferragamoshoes.com - www.cheapestferragamoshoes.com .Of course, when you wind up hitting the ball in the exact sameplace as the original and wind up with a movie almost identical intone and quality you kind of have to say, http://www.swarovskistockists.com - http://www.swarovskistockists.com - Swarovski Rings , "Well that was nice, http://www.wholesalenewclothing.com - http://www.wholesalenewclothing.com - Abercrombie Clothing , butwhy exactly did we go through all this again?"Such is the case with the new version of "The Karate Kid, http://www.newerahatsretail.com - http://www.newerahatsretail.com - New Era Washington Wizards ," anice little movie that is enjoyable to watch, but probablyunnecessarily made.The original "The Karate Kid" is hardly a classic, but doesenjoy a special place in the hearts and minds of my generation forits faults as well as its strengths, http://www.newerahatsretail.com - http://www.newerahatsretail.com - NFL Football Hats , http://www.licataonline.it/forum_posts.asp?TID=13742&PID=42718#42718 - New Era Minnesota Twins Hats Swarovski Necklaces Donate to KidSmart to enjoy fr .It is the story of a remarkably wimpy and whiny kid played byRalph Macchio, who shows up at a new school practically begging tohave his butt kicked by a group of bullies who just so happen to bereally into karate (or kung fu, or whatever. Please forgive myignorance of martial arts. My expertise is limited to Bruce Leemovies).A kindly old handyman (played by Pat Morita), who just sohappens to be a karate master takes Macchio under his wing andtrains him up to take on the bullies in a martial artstournament.The original movie worked thanks mostly to Morita and thepresence of a lot of "overcoming adversity" themes that make sportsmovies great.The new "The Karate Kid" lacks an iconic performance likeMorita's, but it does go back and hit all those classic beats,which are likely to inspire spontaneous theater clapping by the endof the movie.First of all, our actual Karate Kid gets an upgrade as Dre,played by Jaden Smith, has a coolness quotient about 15 times thatof Macchio. Smith is the son of Hollywood super-couple Will Smithand Jada Pinkett-Smith so the kid is comfortable in front of acamera and is more than willing to use his father's million-dollarsmile as an acting fallback.The setting is also upgraded from Southern California toBeijing, China, because Dre's mother (Taraji P, http://www.saleabercrombieclothes.com - http://www.saleabercrombieclothes.com - Abercrombie and Fitch Fur Hoodie . Henson) has beentransferred from Detroit. If you see this movie as only anunabashed travelogue with exquisitely shot cinematography ofChinese landmarks and countryside then it is an unqualifiedsuccess.The plot then follows the outline of the original, http://sufiyoga.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5670&PID=16203#16203 - Abercrombie and Fitch Sweaters cheap New Era snapbacks Missouri prepares for lif , as Dre runsafoul of some bullies and then is reluctantly schooled by yetanother handyman/kung fu master, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan who gets toshow off his acting chops), who preps him for for a big tournamentshowdown against the evil bullies.Director Harold Zwart makes the best effort of his career here,although that's not exactly saying much with movies such as "AgentCody Banks" and "The Pink Panther 2" under his belt.At two hours and twenty minutes this movie is easily 45 minutestoo long, so who knows how good this film could have been with astrict editor at the wheel.One thing that could have easily been chopped was Dre'spuppy-love romance with Meiying (Wenwen Han). A love interest madesense for a teenaged Karate Kid, but for a 12-year-old it feelscutesy at best and a little creepy at worst.My other big complaint with the movie is that the tournamentscene plays out precisely as it did in the original movie whichdoes nothing but wring any drama out of the proceedings for anyonewho saw the first film. Sure the result should be the same, butcome on guys, would it have killed you to change it up alittle?Ultimately what we wind up with is a safe and conventionallittle movie that is suitable for a family outing to the movies. Itmay not have been necessary, but hey, as far as Hollywood isconcerned unnecessary plus not terrible is a net positive and I'llgladly take it."The Karate Kid" is rated PG for bullying, martial arts actionviolence and some mild language.
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