Okay, there is absolutely no acceptable reason for this film to be called The Karate Kid when they are very clearly NOT USING KARATE and the sort of cultural insensitivity that says all Asian cultures and all martial arts are the same is more than a little bit maddening. This is true and must be acknowledged. But what also must be acknowledged is that the Jackie Chan / Jaden (son of Will) Smith starring Karate Kid remake has just dropped its first trailer and much crow must be eaten because this looks shockingly good. As in quite possibly the best English language performance of Chan's career good. As in star making for Smith good. As in significantly better than the original good. Yeah, it's just a trailer and may not represent the finished product but my skepticism just disappeared in a puff of smoke. Check it below.
The official synopsis states: "...In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts "the karate kid" on the floor with ease." So I guess that's how they justified the use of the word "Karate" in the title. All in the name of brand recognition I supposed. I'm willing to bet my money that that the titled will be changed to "The Kung Fu Kid" for the China theatrical release.
Its great to see Jackie Chan not playing a goofball for a change. Jaden throws a mean vertical kick near the end of the trailer. This kid got skills.
with Yu Rong Guang as Martin Kove! Wonder what is going to be this version's "Sweep the Leg!"?
The fly scene at the end was a funny homage to the second film.
i almost hate to say it, but that didn't look bad at all. I guess the proof will be in the pudding, but I won't be rolling my eyes every time I see this movie mentioned. I wonder if Chan will be playing it straight throughout, or if he will be injecting the subtle, dry humor that Morita brought into the role...
I couldn't stand Jaden Smith in THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL remake, and it looks like he's gonna bug me in this too, which I am sure I will end up seeing out of morbid curiosity and to catch a good performance from Chan.
Otherwise...*fart noise*
Well, it does look better than the Original Karate Kid, but that really isnt saying much is it?
It is utterly moronic how they are refusing to change the title to 'The Kung Fu Kid' or 'The Wushu Kid', or even something else, if these 2 are too embarrassing. Chan is a spokesperson for the PRC now, and to a lesser extent for Chinese Kung Fu on the international stage. It's beyond me why he did not object.
As for brand recognition, you can't be serious. That's Jackie Chan we're talking about. His films will sell even if they named it 'The Turd Patrol' or something equally scatological.
Maybe there is plot reason for the title. The local bullies being obviously trained in the local arts, would call the foreign kid something seemingly derogatory or foreign to them... Karate Kid.
The ironic nickname sticks, he proceeds to kick ass. In anycase, I feared we'd be subjected to kid pop, overly saccharine, Saturday morning cartoon treatment, but I like the look and feel of the trailer.
To me, it is not surprising that is looks like shit. But Jackie does indeed look good...too bad it won't save the movie. Next!
Jesus fucking christ, you could not make a movie look more stupid even if you try it on purpose. Jackie, i am dissapoint.
Impressive and interesting! I've never seen the original Karate Kid, but I wanna see this one!