Apparently ‘The Karate Kid’ is NOT a remake

Chan and Smith get jiggy with it in “The Karate Kid”

Harald Zwart, the director of The Karate Kid (out in theaters June 11) said the following to ComingSoon.net:

To me, it was never a remake; it’s a retelling of a story.

So despite what people are writing about this movie, it isn’t a remake. It’s a retelling; I repeat a retelling. It’s just a story about a kid who moves out of his adored hometown to a place he doesn’t like only to be bullied by the locals who are fluently deadly in martial arts. He befriends the maintenance man of his building and he teaches him the art of kung fu (karate, kung fu, what’s the difference – a martial art is a martial art, right?). He also falls for a girl whose affluent parents don’t approve of him. Oh yeah – lest not forget the title of the movie: The Karate Kid.

Do you see the distinction? It is nothing like the iconic movie of the same title from 1984 that made Ralph Macchio a centerfold in Tiger Beat and served as the coronation of William Zabka as the “King of all ‘80s teen movie pricks.” It spawned numerous sequels, embedded quotable quotes in the pop culture lexicon (i.e. “Wax on, wax off” and “Sweep the leg!”) and gave us a soundtrack that is and was “The Best Around.”

Detaching myself from comparisons, watching Jaden Smith as the young underdog Dre and his mentor, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) was, for the most part, enjoyable and I just love Taraji P. Henson as Dre’s mom — even if her role was just to stand there like a prop be a mom. Even so, I wasn’t invested as much as they were — and it was a longer “retelling” of a story that didn’t need to be retold in the first place. All of it mixed well like a cake made from a box of Duncan Hines. If it was made from scratch, it probably would’ve tasted better. I left the theater appreciating the original a lot more and thought, “I wonder if this movie came out because they wanted to up the sales and appreciation of Karate Kid DVDs?” If so, it worked. I immediately went home and watched Ralph Macchio teach his love interest, Ali-with-an-I (Elisabeth Shue) bounce a soccer ball on her knees.

There seems to be this quiet uproar from the Asian community when it comes to some of the Asian-centric films coming out this summer. First, there was Jake Gyllenhaal and how he was not Persian and how he was the lead in Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Then there was (and still is) a little spat about The Last Airbender, the anime-to-movie adaptation that hardly casted any Asians. That said, I am sure that if I exhaustedly dissected the movie, my Asian “fists of fury” would come out; finding some sort of unfair portrayal of the Chinese. There is the whole debate about why this is called The Karate Kid when the entire movie revolves around kung-fu and the movie also offers the caveat that everyone in China happens to know kung-fu. In fact, Aly Morita (daughter of Pat Morita who played Mr. Miyagi in the original) boycotted the remake because of all these debates. All of this is explained very well in a post written by a fellow 8Asians.com writer, Edward — so I won’t really go into it. He does a better job of explaining.

As far as stereotypes go, I have no problem with people thinking that all Asians know kung-fu. I am one the most uncoordinated people around when it comes to any type of sport — so I’ll just let ignorant people believe that I can kick ass.

All snark aside, the original left a significant imprint in our culture so how can we not associate it with this cinematic paint-by-numbers retelling? It’s only natural to see that this is an homage which leads me to believe that the studios would have been better off re-releasing the original.

The climactic final round of 1984′s “The Karate Kid”

Entertainment Weekly gave the movie a B and despite all the comparisons and Asian protests, my favorite entertainment mag gave it more credit than it deserves. Having seen the movie earlier this week, I would give it a C at best. I enjoyed the winks and nudges to the original (i.e. catching a fly with chopsticks, waxing a car, the group of Cobra Kai-esque bad boys) — and I think that was the problem. It was too much like the original and not a parallel. If it was more of a refreshing take on the story like Fame (yes, it was a bad film, but a new angle nonetheless), I probably would’ve enjoyed it more. Sure, it was entertaining and I was rooting for him in the end — but the similarities between the final “finish him” moment were uncanny to Daniel Larusso’s crane kick to Johnny’s face. Plus, there was no one obnoxiously yelling, “Put him in a body bag Johnny!” in the background.

See?! You cannot escape the comparisons.

http://MySpace.com/DavidFromOhio DavidFromOhio

To dino-ray: Pretty much everything you said is idiotic:
“Kung Fu, Karate, what’s the difference?”
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE!? Are you really that stupid!?? Kung Fu was invented in China and has fluid movements. Karate was invented on the island of Okinawa, before it became a part of Japan and its style is more direct and basic. Kung Fu and Karate are NOT THE SAME THING!! “The Karate Kid” is not a remake OR a retelling, it is a SEQUEL! The only bad thibg about the movie is they named it the wrong thing. It’s not “The Karate Kid”, it’s “The Kung Fu Kid”. Do you see ANY Karate anywhere in the movie? NO! Even though they named it wrong, I still love the more than any of the Karate Kid movies. It is fun, dramatic, action packed, funny, exciting and freakin’ awesome. Also, you are a racist by assuming that ALL people in China know Kung Fu. That is a stereotype of Asians, that all Asians know martial arts. Not everyone in “The Kung Fu Kid” (That’s right, that should be the ACTUAL name for it) knew Kung Fu. For you to say that, are you BLIND? Dre’s blond friend didn’t know Kung Fu. Dre’s girlfriend didn’t know Kung Fu. Kung Fu IS very popular in China, but so is Tai Chi, Chinese food, and Chinese popstars! Kung Fu is just ONE aspect of life in China. It is NOT the ONLY THING in Chinese culture!!
dino-ray

Thank you DavidFromOhio for taking my sarcasm seriously! Not many people could do that, but you achieved it. You should give yourself a big pat on the back!
http://www.MySpace.com/DavidfromOhio DavidfromOhio

In my last letter, I did not mean to be so condescending. It’s just that I truly have deep respect for Asian culture, especially Chinese culture. I didn’t know that you were being sarcastic. If I had, I would not have reacted that way. Living in a dysfunctional family is the reason why I talked the way that I did. I really have no idea WHY they didn’t call it “The Kung Fu Kid”. If you ever learn why, please tell me. Thank you.
Kinzo

To DavidfromOhio, it’s because when americans see cool martial moves, they always say it’s karate without thinking that it could be another martial arts.

P.S. Kung Fu is now starting to rise in fame with americans. Kung Fu is my favorite martial arts too.
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http://htubtim2009.wordpress.com/ Hataya Tubtim

I’m coming up on this SUPER late because although I was interested in seeing the new ‘Karate’ Kid when it came out, I didn’t want to pay money for a movie that I expected was most probably was going to be a bad one.

I’m coming up on this SUPER late because although I was interested in seeing the new ‘Karate’ Kid when it came out, I didn’t want to pay money for a movie that I expected was most probably was going to be a bad one.

Well, I’m glad I waited to stream it on Netflix, because having now seen it and been pleasantly surprised on some points, my expectations did not fail me.

Yes, I too would give this movie a C rating. Maybe a C+. Just because I enjoyed the choreograhy of the fight scenes so much.

As I sit here, with the original Karate Kid playing in the background on cable TV, at this very moment, I am filled with a new appreciation for Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. I am also impressed with the realization of how the very simplest narrative elements and details can make a story enduringly powerful. These were apparent to me when watching the remake, yes the remake, (I contest the retelling aspect because quite simply much of the script is taken from the original version line for line). because these crucial elements were glaringly absent much to the detriment of the 2nd version. Script changes that made the story much MUCH more sensationalist and much less humanistic which to me are key in truly overcoming the barriers of difference.

In reading about all the protest about this 2nd version to this movie, I’m not surprised at all the ire given to the first version because of the caucasianess of Ralph Macchio being the lead. For all the criticism of the second version, people are at least satisfied that Jaden Smith is a person of color in the lead role.

However, I have to admit that Smith’s character performance is not half as well down as Macchio. A spoiled, disrespectful, out of place, awkward, and frightened young man in a new town and a new school. Pat Morita is not the only culture shock for this white boy, (who also has no male role model in his life). Macchio’s portrayal is endearing and likable although at times you want to strangle him, quite normal feelings if you have ever been around teenagers. Smith doesn’t have the acting experience to pull this off convincingly. Also, there are some narrative consequences to changing the age of the lead character. Sorry, but I’m not into seeing 10 year olds make out or ogling each other dancing. Why even go there? The friendships that are made at 15 and 16 have a much different significance than those made at 10. This is something that the script seems to try to ignore. Macchio was in his 20’s when he played Daniel. Smith is not only young he looks young, VERY young. At 10 years old, parents are still chaperoning and arranging playdates. Come on! I am NOT convinced. The teenage years are a pivotal point in a person’s life. That symbolism cannot be taken for granted in narrative choices.

Also, let’s take a look at the Jackie Chan vs. Pat Morita. First off, this is just a personal aside, but I found myself getting more and more annoyed at how unkept and dirty and unhappy he always looked. This was the extent of his emotional range in this movie, if sloppy is an emotional range. I couldn’t help but compare Mr. Miyagi (dignified, down to earth, honest, and peaceful) to Mr Han (dirty, depressed, internally tortured) Mr. Miyagi, was a GREAT role model for a young man with no father. Mr. Han needs therapy. Then, there is the issue of the secret pain that they both endure. Han, who loses his family in a tragic car accident and Miyagi, as an ex American WW2 soldier who lost in family while they were in an American internment camp.

Why why is this little detail so often ignored?

When Daniel stumbles upon a drunk and incoherent Mr. Miyago mourning the loss of his family, we cannot ignore the tragedy of injustice and racism that is associated, because by this time in the movie, we like Daniel, care about Mr. Miyagi. That history is never referred to directly or at any other time of the movie. At every other time he is a stable, wise, and calm. A counterpoint to Daniel’s adolescent, and emotional rantings and insecurities. Indeed, this is the main crux of the movie. The relationship between a boy and his mentor, not political and racial injustice, however it is woven it at just the right moment, reminding us that our individual experiences are tied together in ways that are bigger than ourselves. In a compassionate moment, Daniel can only help Mr. Miyagi to bed and go away to think about what he has learned about him. Daniel receives a crucial knowledge that is not just about showing up some bullies.

Han’s tragedy is a focal point for his character in the movie, but it only and always remains a singular and individual tragedy. Han blames himself for his family’s death and when he breaks down, it’s no surprise. Miyagi’s breakdown on the other hand is totally unexpected and out of character. The coping mechanisms of a generation have their limits too. Pain is historical.

Cut to Mr. Han, who can only crack a half smile on the long train journey up a mountain to a secret Kung Fu temple, so that Dre can drink from the magic Kung Fu water.

At this point, I am going to end this because there is nothing more to say.

Apparently ‘The Karate Kid’ is NOT a remake

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