On CLIPS In July, 2010
THE KARATE KID   

Newly moved to China, a young American boy (Jaden Smith) learns how to defend himself against bullies with the help of maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan).

TRIVIA: Which award-winning actress portrayed "The Next Karate Kid"?

Relocated to China where his single mother (Taraji P. Henson) gets a job, Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) quickly becomes the target of school bully Cheng (Zhenwei Wang) when he strikes up a friendship with classmate Mei Ying (Wenwen Han). With the reluctant help of maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), Dre learns the art of Kung Fu - leading to a fierce competition. "The Karate Kid" is an enjoyable updating of a classic. Moving the location to China adds an abundance of spectacular scenery. The Great Wall Of China is awe-inspiring as captured by cinematographer Roger Pratt. An engaging cast led by Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, who admirably displays the acting genes of parents Will and Jada, makes the story believable. But director Harald Zwart ("The Pink Panther 2") has fashioned a film that is a bit too leisurely-paced and overlong at 140 minutes. Also, Jackie Chan performs very few of his trademark acrobatics. He's perfect in the role and it would have been an entirely different movie if Jackie had spent his entire screen appearance fighting. A fitting tribute to the original, the latest edition of "The Karate Kid" has its share of kicks.