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The Karate Kid (2010), a review by Dragonfire

I'm back.  

The Karate Kid

I have seen the original movie several times, though it has been years since the last time I saw it.  I had the book version too that I read many times.  Since it has been so long since the last time that I've seen the original, I don't remember everything.

From what I can remember, the basic plot of a single woman moving to a new city with her son is the same.  The big difference is that Sherry and Dre are going to China, so they have a new language to learn and they don't know the culture.  A lot of things are different for them in China, but unfortunately for Dre, there are bullies there too.  Most of the movie is focused on Dre learning kung fu from Mr. Han, the maintenance man for the apartment building.  The movie does end up being predictable, but I still think it is very entertaining.  There is a lot that is like the original movie, but there are also differences as well.  

At one point, Dre is shown attempting to learn some karate from a show on tv.  That is all the karate that is in the movie.  Mr. Han knows kung fu, as does Cheng, the vicious bully that targets Dre.  It really would have made more sense for the movie to be called The Kung Fu Kid instead.  People shouldn't dismiss the movie because of the screwy title though.  I think the plot works well overall as an entertaining, and mostly fun movie.  There are a few more serious moments every so often, but they don't get overly dramatic either.  The pacing works for the most part, though it does slow up a bit during scenes between Dre and Meiying, a girl who is nice to Dre.  There is an attempt to add a romance that feels more awkward than anything given how young the characters are.  

There is a lot of fighting throughout the movie, which does add violence.  The violence isn't that graphic or excessive, but it does get intense at times.  A few scenes, usually involving Cheng or one of his flunky friends, are a bit difficult to watch.  Cheng is ruthless and vicious in a way that is highly disturbing.  It is even worse because of how young he is.  Master Li has a twisted way of teaching kung fu that has really warped Cheng into a potential killer.  This bully doesn't just push people around and take their lunch money.  He can and will beat the shit out of them.  The fighting scenes are very well done, though since I don't know anything about kung fu, I have no clue how accurate they are.  Dre does develop into a good fighter, though it isn't made clear how long he is actually training.  From what I remember, the tournament plays out the same as the original movie, though there is a different move used at a critical moment.

I haven't seen Jaden Smith in anything before this.  I think he did a really good job with the part.  He has gotten the opportunity because of who his dad is, but he isn't talentless.  He displays a wide range of emotions throughout the movie..much more than I expected.  There is more to his performance than what has been seen in the trailers and Dre is a bit more complicated than he seems at first.  He acts like he has a bit of an attitude when they first get to China, but that is how a lot of kids act around others their age..trying to act tougher than they are...or just bragging and not being able to fully back it up.  Dre does go through changes by the end of the movie.

Mr. Han doesn't say much at first and doesn't act that friendly, even once he decides to train Dre.  Mr. Han has his own way of dealing with things and he looks at kung fu differently than Master Li.  Mr. Han is definitely more complicated than he seems at first.  He and Dre play off each other really well.  If that relationship hadn't worked, the movie wouldn't have worked.  Jackie Chan is wonderful in the part.  I've enjoyed his other movies that I've seen, but I haven't seen him play a part like this before.  I think this is the best I've ever seen him act.  His fighting, which I've always thought was impressive, is still amazing.  The scene when he deals with the bullies is amazing.

Cheng is a rather flat character, but he works well as the bully.  He has trained with Master Li who teaches by drilling the idea of no mercy - ever - into his students.  That makes for a twisted bully.  Cheng is almost always surrounded by his group of friends who also train with Master Li.  Meiying is nice enough, but she is also a flat character.  Sherry is around in enough scenes to show concern for her son.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie and think it is one of the few remakes that works.  A lot of what happens is predictable, but there is enough new things added in here and there to help keep it interesting.  

 - and I didn't round up for 3 and half.  I think it is 4 stars.

I did post a review at Epinions a few days ago if anyone would like to look.
The Karate Kid

(From The Karate Kid (2010) on June 28th, 2010)

The Curse of King Tut's Tomb, a review by addicted2dvd

The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (2006) Echo Bridge Home Entertainment Director: Russell Mulcahy Writing: David Titcher (Writer) Length: 170 min. Rating: Rated NR : Violence Video: Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: None

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Stars:
Casper Van Dien as Danny Fremont
Jonathan Hyde as Morgan Sinclair
Leonor Varela as Dr. Azelia Barakat
Steven Waddington as Jason McGreevy
Niko Nicotera as Andrew Walker
Tat Whalley as Rembrandt

Plot:Casper Van Dien, Sleepy Hollow) is certain that if found, King Tut's Emerald Tablet would hold the power to control the world. Unfortunately, the only one who believes Fremont is his nemesis archaeologist Morgan Sinclair (Jonathan Hyde, Titanic), a member of a secret society who wants the tablet to harness unspeakable evil on the world and will stop at nothing to get it.

Extras:

• Scene Access

This one was a two night mini-series that originally aired on the Hallmark Channel. I never got to see this when it originally aired... so was very pleased when I found out a friend was giving it to me. It is in a set of 2 mini-series along with Merlin's Apprentice. Which I also missed when it originally aired... so was twice as thrilled. Especially since I remember really enjoying Merlin. This isn't the normal disturb the tomb and you are cursed type of thing. They decided to go a completely different direction then that. While I can see how some may not like this... I enjoyed it quite a bit. I found it to be an interesting and entertaining way to spend almost 3 hours. It didn't feel that long while watching it! I tend to shy away from anything that is around 2hrs or longer... but this one was worth the time put into it. The storyline is interesting. The characters are likable. And the effects are pretty good as well. I really don't have anything here to complain about. Well, a couple extras would have been nice... but other then that... no complaints.




(From What Movies I Been Watching on January 29th, 2012)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

EPISODE 1: BIZARRO
A flood of excitement: Lois, Chloe and Lex are in peril after Reeves Dam breaks. The Phantom Zone escapee who absorbed Clark's DNA must be stopped. But how? MARTINA MANHUNTER has an idea.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode. I enjoyed it quite a bit. At first I didn't think I would... but I do like how they decided to do Bizzaro.

My Rating:

EPISODE 2: KARA
Blonde. Beautiful. Bad attitude. Kara may have some catching up to do after she stops trying to clobber Clark into the next millennium. After all, they're from the same Kryptonian family.

Also: Lex finds Lana.

My Thoughts:
Another episode I enjoyed a lot. I really liked the way Supergirl (Kara) came out on the series. I also enjoyed the explanation of what happened with Lana.

My Rating:

EPISODE 3: FIERCE


My Thoughts:
Another fun episode. I must say... Kara looked great in that bikini! And I liked the story of the beauty contestant meteor freaks going after the map in the time capsule.

My Rating:

EPISODE 4: CURE
Got a meteor-rock problem? A neurosurgeon claims he can return meteor-infected people to normality. Lana hides a $10-million secret and Chloe and Jimmy face a rift in their togetherness.

My Thoughts:
This is a pretty cool episode. I really enjoyed it. It was cool to see Dean Caine (who played Superman on Lois and Clark) guest star on the show.

My Rating:

(From Smallville Marathon on December 20th, 2009)