by DJ Synth-bach
Martial arts movies, along with American-western are my favourite genres. I have hardly missed the best and worst of them. I grew up on a staple diet of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies and nowadays I'm a fan of Jet Li. Watching martial-art movies brings me the memories of my hyper-active teenage years.
Martial arts movies, along with American-western are my favourite genres. I have hardly missed the best and worst of them. I grew up on a staple diet of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies and nowadays I'm a fan of Jet Li. Watching martial-art movies brings me the memories of my hyper-active teenage years.
One of my favourite martial-arts movie is No Retreat No Surrender(1986). To make this movie, it's director, the reknowned Corey Yuen took inspiration from an earlier movie called Karate Kid (1984). Corey thought Karate Kid too slowpaced and made a fast and funky version which became a cult-classic. In the 2010 version of Karate Kid, I expected similar pace and sleekness typical of all martial-arts movies. But it was rather missing.
Kidstuff
Karate Kid-2010 turned out to be yet another movie with all hype and no substance. After all, is this a movie ? It could have well been a documentary or a 30-minute TV-episode, or even shorter - a music video. ( Infact, internet-search reveals that the director is an accomplished music-video/short film-maker.) I must warn the hardcore martial-arts movie fans not to be befooled by the trailers and patronising reviews. At best this movie could be watched in the comfort of your living room, and not at the theatres.
Jackie Chan the actor
The only highlight of the movie, apart from a crash-course on Chinese culture, is Jackie Chan's acting skills. He proves that he can act even in a non-martial arts movie. But at times he looks jaded and disinterested. Jackie Chan fans will miss the unbridled energy characteristic of his movies. Being a filmmaker himself, Chan must have caught in two minds about the outcome of this movie. His worries were not misplaced.
Lacking punch
The boyish-hero of the original Karate Kid was a typical 80's kid (like me) who exuded innocence despite his vulnerability. The 'hero' of 2010-version is spoilt-brat with a chip on his shoulder. The audience would n't have minded if he got beaten up - no matter in China, U.S or Africa. Infact, I thought the performance of boy who acted as bully more convincing.
Misfired launch ?
Despite a high profile launch, debutant Will Smith's son (what's his name ?) fails to impress. He obviously lack the natural acting ability of his father. Atleast he can take solace that many martial-arts stars are poor actors. And being a star-kid, he will not be lacking in oppurtunities even if he continues to be mediocre. Let's hope Hollywood will not take cue from Bollywood and set up star-dynasties, and there by blocking the entry of real talents.
Kidstuff
Karate Kid-2010 turned out to be yet another movie with all hype and no substance. After all, is this a movie ? It could have well been a documentary or a 30-minute TV-episode, or even shorter - a music video. ( Infact, internet-search reveals that the director is an accomplished music-video/short film-maker.) I must warn the hardcore martial-arts movie fans not to be befooled by the trailers and patronising reviews. At best this movie could be watched in the comfort of your living room, and not at the theatres.
Jackie Chan the actor
The only highlight of the movie, apart from a crash-course on Chinese culture, is Jackie Chan's acting skills. He proves that he can act even in a non-martial arts movie. But at times he looks jaded and disinterested. Jackie Chan fans will miss the unbridled energy characteristic of his movies. Being a filmmaker himself, Chan must have caught in two minds about the outcome of this movie. His worries were not misplaced.
Lacking punch
The boyish-hero of the original Karate Kid was a typical 80's kid (like me) who exuded innocence despite his vulnerability. The 'hero' of 2010-version is spoilt-brat with a chip on his shoulder. The audience would n't have minded if he got beaten up - no matter in China, U.S or Africa. Infact, I thought the performance of boy who acted as bully more convincing.
Misfired launch ?
Despite a high profile launch, debutant Will Smith's son (what's his name ?) fails to impress. He obviously lack the natural acting ability of his father. Atleast he can take solace that many martial-arts stars are poor actors. And being a star-kid, he will not be lacking in oppurtunities even if he continues to be mediocre. Let's hope Hollywood will not take cue from Bollywood and set up star-dynasties, and there by blocking the entry of real talents.
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