The Karate Kid - El Papa Diablo

Another week another chance to casually rape my childhood with a remake from the 80's, except this was enjoyable, fun and a throw back to what kids films used to be.

I was indifferent about seeing this, neither here nor there just surfing the middle and sitting on the fence but I am very glad I did. First of all it takes the kid out of America and puts him in China, Dre (Smith) is probably used to being the coolest kid on his block but in China he's just another dude who doesn't know Kung Fu, therefore he gets his ass kicked by a hard as fuck kid, scary as well, he will haunt my dreams, not like that jackass from the A-team, wanker. Dre spends the first quarter of the film avoiding bullies and vying for the attention of a lovely young Chinese girl, eventually they catch up with him and just as the scary kid is about take the beating one step to far in steps Mr Han (Chan). After confronting the boys and their Sith master....I mean Kung Fu teacher you realise why they act the way the do, lets just say this Kung Fu master is a total SHIT. Mr Han agrees to train Dre for a tournament where he will fight against his aggressors. The film plays out as you'd expect but it is carried by Jaden Smith who is already better than his Dad could ever be (his Dads Big Willy Smith, you know the Fresh Prince)he has it all and I predict big things in the future I'm talking Denzel standards here. He's funny, charming and totally believable and when you see his tears when he's getting beat up, your heart will break a little bit, you genuinely care for him and cheer for him. Ralph Macchio was really annoying in the original and it was hard to get behind him, he was like a twattish Rocky.

Jackie Chan also deserves a lot of credit here, we see a Jackie Chan that we have never seen before, we don't see Jackie Chan we see Mr Han, he's awkward, lonely and lost and Chan puts this across perfectly. One scene had me welling up and both actors play the scene so well. The Kung Fu surpasses anything in the first film, these kids really know their stuff, some of the fight scenes are breath taking and Jaden Smith more than holds his own and by the end you don't see a boy, you see a man, his performance is that mature. Of course at the end its all feel good and smiles but the journey makes it worth it.

Like old school kids movies it didn't talk down to the audience, it allowed us in to their world and we had fun while we were there.

My only gripe with this film is that the scenes between Dre and Meiying are drawn out and sometimes feel like fillers to pad out the film, its also slightly strange watching serious love between two twelve year olds. Also as Quizli pointed out the "sexy" dancing scene was a weird one, he thinks she's hot we get it, no need to make her look like an oriental pussycat doll.

In short, best remake for a long time and better than the original.

Rating 7.5/10

Much love, El Papa Diablo

P.S Magnum, I know Kung Fu so go fuck yourself.