Cinetvcontest #130: The Karate Kid (2010)

While fighting in itself might not be a good thing, I think I would lean towards fighting for one's dignity, sanity and justice, just like Dre Parker in the movie titled The Karate Kid.

I should confess that what attracted me to watch this movie way back in 2012 was the main lead actors. I'm talking about Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. I thought that both of them looked good together.

Synopsis

The movie begins with Dre Parker (Jaden Smith), a twelve year old boy with his widowed mom Sherry (Taraji Henson) on a plane to Beijing in China after her job relocated her there. He tried his best to fit in but a malicious group of boys led by Cheng, a notorious bully, disturbed his seemingly peaceful life.

One day, he was bullied and badly beaten by Cheng and his gang and only the intervention of Mr Han (Jackie chan) saved from being seriously injured. Mr Han cured Dre using Chinese medicine methods and he befriended Dre. Sensing him to have some Kungfu skills, Dre approached Mr Han asking to be his apprehentice.

Mr Han took on the responsibility of teaching Dre some basic Kungfu skills for self-defense, hinting that Kungfu is not all about punches and power. He trains Dre on maturity and serenity using simple basic life's skills like removing and hanging a jacket. At first, Dre thought the trainings were a joke until Han proved to him in a duel that all he has been learning was never a waste.

Cheng and his master Tecacher Li, challenges Dre and Mr Han to a Kungfu tournament, where it would be clearly proven who was best. Han and Dre continued training and Dre even befriends a girl named Meying but one naughty move from him caused her parents to cut off their friendship.

Befriending Mr Han revealed the trauma that he was dealing with and how he caused the death of his wife and son via drunkenness. Witnessing this, Dre was determined more than ever to win the Kungfu competition and help Mr Han heal.

The competition was ferce and tough with Teacher Li urging his students to injure Dre but Dre's persistence could not be shaken as he brought honour to himself, Mr Han and his mom while also earning the respect of Cheng and his gang.

My review and what I learnt.

I found this movie to be very inspirational when I watched it. It portrayed the benefits of believing in oneself and standing up for what is right and for Justice. I like the words of Jackie to Dre after he helped him chase the bullies which was " You can only stop them by facing them". Those words were like magic to Dre's ears as he finally understood what needed to be done.

I find those words to be motivational as sometimes, staying silent when we are wronged is a form of abuse to us. We need to stand up and fight off such abuse and not just collect it like a waste bin. When Dre learnt how to fight, he earned the respect of those bullies and they all became friends.

I don't teach kids to go about fighting but I also don't teach them to accept all wrongs done to them easily. I encourage my kids to be upright and bold and to always speak up where and when necessary.

What I liked?

I liked how Mr Han was vulnerable in front of Dre and how both of them helped each other to achieve their desires.

I liked how Dre was determined to finish the fight even with a broken leg. He defeated Cheng in the competition with a single kick.

What I disliked?

I disliked the teaching ethics of Teacher Li, who taught his students to be merciless and inconsiderate to others. As a teacher myself, I find those teachings to be barbaric and unkind. Children have pure hearts and if harnessed rightly, we would have a generation of lovely individuals.

The rapport between Jayden Smith and Jackie was unique and both complemented each other in what was lacking. Dre needed a father figure and he found that in Mr Han while Mr Han needed a son he could rely on and he found that son in Dre. Their relationship progressed into something wonderful in the end. Truly a delight to watch.

I rate this movie an 8/10 because if I had a son, then I would want him to be able to learn kungfu and defend himself where necessary plus Jayden's learning of Chinese was humourous and the fight scenes ay the end was epic