I was never a huge fan of the Karate Kid movies, but I also felt like they should not really be tinkered with because, especially with the first one, they are good movies. OK, only the first one. They jumped the shark with that franchise pretty quick. So, when I did a post a few months back about how Jaden Smith was going to star in the remake of it I questioned whether they should and whether a ten year old was the right age for the main character. It is tough to weave in elements of a love story when your star is ten. Sure, his dad is Will Smith, but even Jaden can't play more than say, 11, maybe 12 if he borrows some shoes from Tom Cruise.
Now though, my whole feeling about this has kind of shifted. No, I didn't take an e-meter test and become best friends with Xenu. Nope. It turns out that Jackie Chan is in talks to be the Mr. Miyagi character who mentors Jaden. See, in the originals, lets face it, Mr. Miyagi couldn't do much more than just talk. Pat Morita wasn't kicking much ass in the films. He was there to be the wise master, kind of like Yoda.
But, with Jackie Chan this becomes an entirely different kind of film and if Jackie is allowed to do his thing then you don't really need a love interest. It just becomes kind of a buddy film. Think of it as Little Rush Hour or something. You know, maybe some dojo has gone crazy and is kidnapping dogs and Jaden loses his as part of the ring. He turns to his friendly neighborhood whatever Jackie is going to be and Jackie and he embark on a crusade to save the dogs. OK, so it still doesn't sound great, but do you think that a Karate Kid remake sounds better if it has Jackie Chan in it?
I really would prefer Sonny Chiba. I just don't see Jackie Chan as the "curmudgeonly" old master.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice idea--though I would expect that both he and the kid would have to kick ass, and with similar skill. Also, it might have to be pretty cartoony to avoid accusations of darkness and violence.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer Sonny Chiba too, except that only about eleven people in Hollywood know who Sonny Chiba is.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer Jackie Chan to make a different movie, but maybe it will work. Who knows?
ReplyDeleteI think Jackie and Jaden should fall in love with each other!
ReplyDeleteThen they can call it Kung-Fu-Fags
or The Karate Kid Abuser
"do you think that a Karate Kid remake sounds better if it has Jackie Chan in it?"
ReplyDeleteNo.
May I please think of it as "Little Shanghai Knights" instead of "Little Rush Hour?" Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJackie/Jaden sounds like a freakin' brilliant combo to me, no matter what the movie's about. Either one of them just about automatically puts a smile on my face.
I can barely remember when the original Karate Kid came out, but I think that I was a kid. I do remember that it wasn't good enough for a remake or maybe now I'm just too damn old to care.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it will attract children with Jaden in it and adults with Jackie's name on the bill.
"Pat Morita wasn't kicking much ass"???!!! Um yeah you were not kidding about never being a big fan because any fan would clearly remember the Cobra Kai getting it handed to them by Mr. Miyagi when he interrupts them ganging up on Daniel San...the way he crept over that chain link fence and attacked...a panther could not have been more graceful...even a ninja would be hard pressed to execute that level of stealth.
ReplyDeleteThe crane technique? Totally awesome move courtesy of who? Chan? – no, Miyagi? - yes!
After chopping of the tops of THREE beer bottles - Daniel San: “How did you do that? How did you do that?” Miyagi: “Don't know. First time.”!!! The FIRST time Enty – that is skill!
Face it Miyagi kicks total ass – he is just more understated than Chan. In other words, he kicks ass old school.
and let's face it, no one can touch the soundtrack to the first movie. "Cruel Summer" and "You're the Best"? Solid gold.
I watched Jaden on Ellen a few weeks ago...the kid's got charisma.
ReplyDeleteI like Jackie Chan movies (except the Tuxedo) and I'd probably see it with my kids. I'm more of a Jet Li fan
ReplyDeletethough he would be a bad Mr. Miyagi. My kids liked that movie they did together.
Princess: great memory! You're post was like a movie trailer. Although I wouldn't want to be seated next to you at the re-make.
ReplyDeleteEnt: A 'Dojo' can't go all crazy on someone. Dojo is simply a room/temple. My husband thinks he's Bruce Lee friday nights at the gym along with a dozen other bald/middle aged men. I've picked up a few tidbits along the way.
kimpim: I have the DVD at home. I was a kid when it came out and still love to crack up over it with my friends. I also have "Teen Wolf" and "North Shore" (the original movie not that TV show). What can I say? I miss the days when malcontent teens from the local dojo facing off with the scrawny underdog at the All Valley Tournament was considered movie plot material.
ReplyDeleteTotally understand why you would not want to watch the sequel with me though!
sorry I meant to say remake not sequel.
ReplyDeleteNO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.
ReplyDeleteDid I mention, uh, NO!!!!!!
Jackie Chan is CHINESE.
Mr. Miyagi is JAPANESE...remember KK2? Osaka, the typhoon, little drum thing? Pretty important to the plot.
HUGE cultural difference.
Princess Buttercup...true dat.
oddly enough, i sat through a karate kid marathon on sunday.
ReplyDeleteit cannot be remade. they can make a NEW one, but jackie is not a karate master. i don't think.
and i think ent is right, jaden is too young. and i think it's too soon after morita's death. i kept looking at his face wondering about all his demons, and what a cool mentor miyagi was.
also, chuck norris made a movie with that poor kid from sea lab (can't remember his name, real cute kid that committed suicide a couple of years ago), another martial arts/buddy pic, and it was cute.
I wasn't a fan of Karate Kid. But I agree that if a remake was to be made, it should keep with Japanese culture.
ReplyDeleteI also think Jackie'n'Jaden would be a good pairing. I like Jackie Chan movies. They're so hilariously bad in spots, like it's done on purpose. Loved how Rumble in the Bronx had the BC mountains for scenery. Too funny!
Jaden is destined to be the next Pauly Shore and just as talented.
ReplyDelete