The last 15 years or so have proven that returning characters mean more to audiences than reusing the title. “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” with the original characters, trumped “Ghostbusters: Answer the Call,” a reinvention. And TV’s “Cobra Kai,” featuring the O.G. “Karate Kid” cast, trumped the movie I’ll look at here — “The Karate Kid” (2010), a straight remake.
If a visitor to Earth were to watch “KK” 2010 and then “KK” 1984 back to back, they’d likely determine the 2010 version is superior. Set and filmed in China, including workout scenes on the Great Wall, it often seems there’s no limit to the budget. One action piece featuring Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) is among the best this series has produced. In general, this is a far less cheesy version, and it’s only robbed of impact because we know it copied someone’s homework.
With our grounded perspectives, the 1984 version is better because it did it first, and when we watch the newer one, we know what’s going to happen. It’s impossible to not know. Writer Christopher Murphey sticks tight to the script of Robert Mark Kamen’s original, and the transition is generally smooth, leading to an enjoyable experience for someone unfamiliar with the original.
“The Karate Kid” (2010)
Director: Harald Zwart
Writers: Christopher Murphey (screenplay), Robert Mark Kamen (original screenplay)
Stars: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson
Aging our hero (Jaden Smith’s Dre) down to 12 plays OK, although it’s partly shocking, partly amusing that the bullies of his same age are so vicious, and that tournament fans are cheering rather than cringing at little kids getting beat up. Jaden is small for a martial arts champion, but his skill set and the training montage sell it well enough.
Murphey and director Harald Zwart hang a lampshade on the switch of sport: Dre’s mom (Taraji P. Henson) says “Karate, kung-fu, whatever!” But the filmmakers or studio couldn’t bring themselves to call the film “Kung-Fu Kid” (and risk lower box-office), like it should’ve been.
A legend joins a legendary franchise
A prime example of the problem with an exact script copy is the lead-up to the aforementioned best sequence. We know Mr. Han is going to appear and save Dre from the sextet of bullies chasing him through the streets of Beijing. The way in which he does it – turning their attacks against them – is spectacular, granted. And Chan is the film’s best actor – appealingly grizzled; but it’s a shame Han’s stooped and limping figure seemingly carries over to the martial-arts legend himself. He only gets that one delicious action sequence and some nice-looking training sessions.
Remember the under-explained rift between Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and his girlfriend in the O.G.? “KK” 2010 misses a chance to rectify that, so we get an under-explained rift between Dre and Meiying (adorable Wenwen Han) that relies on the stereotype that Chinese parents don’t want their violin prodigies to have fun.
“KK” 2010 especially falls flat in the final tournament, because by this time it’s clear the plot is being exactly repeated. Not only will the hero win, but he’ll do it in the same way, and with the same lessons learned and applied.
Adjusting to its new knowledge of what audiences want, the studio is giving us “Karate Kid: Legends” on May 30. It will retroactively turn “KK” 2010 from an unconnected remake into an entry on the same timeline, as Daniel meets Mr. Han.
It’s been said that everyone has an exact double somewhere on the planet, so I suppose it’s plausible that Daniel and Dre had the exact same journeys to martial-arts glory in 1984 and 2010. Maybe “Legends” will throw in a joke about that, or maybe it will ignore it. But at least we’re moving away from remakes and name-recognition cash-ins and instead continuing a tale; that’s good news for everyone.