Movies: The Karate Kid
Jaden Smith is absolutely adorable. On the screen, he mixes his baby face with the confidence of someone who has some tales to tell. He comes across as both innocent and as a kid who knows exactly who he is. And that is a good thing. In The Karate Kid, the world is introduced to the star that will soon be Jaden Smith.
Let me say right here for the record: I loved the original Karate Kid. When I heard this movie was going to be remade, I was disappointed. I mean, why mess with a classic? The news that Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s youngest son would be the new Karate Kid left me with a further feeling of chagrin. I mean, I thought Jaden did an excellent job in The Pursuit of Happyness with his father, but I don’t know many kids of his age of 8 who aren’t cute on screen. It was easy to dismiss Jaden’s acting, but those times are in the past.
Believe it or not; the kid will be 12 on July 8!!
I was immediately struck by his ease on screen. And I was impressed by the amount of training that he put into this role. I often found myself exclaiming at the screen “Yeah!” or “Go!” during his fight scenes. The one thing that plagued me throughout the entire movie was that he was not convincing as a 12-year-old. Jaden doesn’t look a day over nine or ten, if that. His slight build doesn’t do him justice, and the scene he shares with the beautiful actress who plays his love interest (!?) seem…uncomfortable. Jackie Chan, however, in the role of Jaden’s teacher, Mr. Han, was perfect. Being that Jackie Chan has normally been portrayed in comical roles, it was a welcome difference to see him in a role that actually showed that he was more than an accomplice in silliness to Chris Tucker.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. That probably can be attributed to my love of the original, but then again, if this movie sucked, I would be the first in line waving my fist and calling for someone’s head on a platter. Instead, I await what Jaden Smith is going to do next.
He was born a star, and it is only up from here.
