MOVIE REVIEWS
The
Karate Kid
By John P. McCarthy
Catholic News Service
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Rationales
behind screen remakes are often suspect. The ambitious desire to modernize
a classic has led to many a debacle, as has the aim of cashing in on a
past financial success. Fortunately, misgivings about this update of 1984's
popular The Karate Kid dissipate once it begins to unreel.
No doubt, the producers of 2010's
The Karate Kid (Columbia) aren't standing on the shoulders of an artistic
giant, and commercial considerations are never far from their minds (hence
the hiring of teen sensation Justin Bieber to croon on the soundtrack).
Yet the movie stirs and satisfies, exhibiting sufficient fealty to the
original while improving on its production values.
Setting it in Beijing makes sense,
as does casting Jaden Smith in the title role and international action
star Jackie Chan as his unassuming mentor. Switching from karate, with
its Japanese provenance, to kung fu is not an issue. Other embellishments
on the timeless underdog story are likewise organic and positive. The
major flaw is a grandiose musical score, which telegraphs plot points
and nearly overwhelms the film, thus accentuating its relatively long
running time.
The new Karate Kid is also designed
to showcase modern China, a function it fulfils by highlighting the architectural
feats connected with the 2008 Olympics and through visits to the Forbidden
City, a scenic mountain sanctuary, and the Great Wall.
Mostly because of chop-socky
violence, it may be inappropriate for young moviegoers. But guardians
should feel free to use their judgment about individual sensitivities,
being aware that kids' attention may wander given the movie's length.
Like the original, helmed by
John G. Avildsen (Rocky), this entertaining melodrama teaches valuable
lessons regarding body and spirit. Director Harald Zwart stages the action
sequences and quieter moments with sufficient adroitness. Whereas Pat
Morita dominated the first version (receiving an Oscar nomination for
his efforts), here Smith -- son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith -- shines
brightest thanks to his own charisma and Chan's restrained, caricature-free
performance.
Undersized 12-year-old Dre Parker
(Smith) moves from Detroit to Beijing with his mother, Sherry (Taraji
P. Henson), who has been transferred there for work. On day one, Dre meets
classmate Meiying (Wenwen Han), a classical violinist prepping for her
upcoming audition for the conservatory. Their innocent interaction draws
the ire of class bully Cheng (Zhenwei Wang) and his cohorts. Later that
week, Dre provokes Cheng and sustains a beating after a lengthy chase.
Major injury is avoided when Mr. Han (Chan), the quiet maintenance man
at the Parkers' apartment complex, intervenes.
This incident leads to a challenge by Cheng's belligerent kung fu teacher Master Li (Rongguang Yu) -- his studio's motto is "No weakness. No pain. No mercy." Dre enters a tournament where he will face his tormentor Cheng in the ring. Han agrees to train him, vowing to impart "real kung fu" and the healthy approach to life it entails.
Suspense is sacrificed in favor
of a rousing, heartwarming tutorial concerning respect, politeness, courage,
and honour. Revenge is never Dre's motivation, but rather confronting
and overcoming his fear. Along with his physical preparation, hurdles
involving cultural assimilation and racial differences are easily cleared.
Focus is on the friendship between Dre and Han and the mutual affection
between Dre and Meiying.
The film contains hard-hitting
and occasionally cruel but not graphic martial arts violence, including
a boy being struck across the face by an adult, the use of a crass term
for the human posterior, some mild toilet humour, one instance of sexual
innuendo, and an unnecessary kiss between pre-teens. The Catholic News
Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture
Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some
material may not be suitable for children.
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McCarthy is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service. More reviews
are available online at www.usccb.org/movies.
The A-Team
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Pretty much
everything blows up in The A-Team (Fox). Blows up real well, too!
This noisy, unapologetically
cheesy and somehow engrossing film based on the 1980s TV series has more
stunts than dialogue, a stark plot limned in the thickest possible strokes,
and is merrily untrammeled by logic, military discipline or the laws of
physics. Aircraft, military hardware and motor vehicles careen about as
if in a video game.
That's the fun of it. Truth and
justice will prevail, so switch off your mind and you can enjoy the ride.
The familiar characters are all
here: cigar-chomping Hannibal Smith (Liam Neeson), dashing Templeton "Face"
Peck (Bradley Cooper) unhinged pilot "Howling Mad" Murdock (Sharlto
Copley), and stalwart B.J. Baracus (Quinton Jackson, without Mr. T's gold
adornments, but still saying "fool" a lot). Jessica Biel plays
Charisa Sosa, a leather-clad Army officer who alternates between being
their foil and defender.
In this updated incarnation, the four men are members of an elite Army Ranger team specializing in covert operations. In Iraq, they're sent to recover counterfeit plates and money put out by Saddam Hussein loyalists to disrupt the economy. Lynch (Patrick Wilson), a jealous CIA officer, sabotages the conclusion, resulting in the death of the general (Gerald McRaney) who assigned the mission.
The four are convicted of the death and sent to military prisons, but
in virtually no time at all, another CIA officer helps Smith escape, and
he, in turn assists the others in a series of -- well, unbelievable, but
by this point, you'll stop caring -- escapes so they can nab Lynch and
clear their names.
On it goes, or rather -- explodes -- to a rapid-fire, good-natured conclusion.
The film contains some fleeting crass and crude language, most of it before
the opening credits are over, a brief reference to premarital sex, and
abundant explosions and gunfire. But it's really all about the stunts,
making this acceptable for older adolescents. The Catholic News Service
classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association
of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material
may be inappropriate for children under 13.
- - -
Jensen is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service. More reviews
are available online at www.usccb.org/movies.
Copyright (c) 2010 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops
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