Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
“The Karate Kid” (Drama/Martial Arts: 2 hours, 20 minutes); Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson; Director: Harald Zwart; Rated: PG (Violence, including bullying, and strong language)
Movie Review: Dre Parker (Smith) and his mother, Sherry (Henson), move to Beijing, China. Dre does not like China, but his mother’s job is an improvement for their lives. As Dre adapts to a new culture, he is bullied by martial arts students at his school. Enter Mr. Hun (Chan), the maintenance supervisor at Dre’s apartment complex. Dre becomes Mr. Hun’s padewan, training Dre kung-fu.
“Karate Kid” surprises. It is a dramatic screenplay with nice artistic cinematography. After two shabby turns with films like “The Pink Panther 2” (2009) and “Agent Cody Banks” (2003), Director Zwart proves he has skills this outing.
This piece is very much like 1984’s “The Karate Kid.” The movie involves a bullied student who befriends and becomes a student practicing martial arts with an excellent mentor.
Therefore, the script is a cookie-cutter one. Only the title should read “The Kung-Fu Kid,” as that is the martial-arts style presented here.
However, the story works; audiences love to see the protagonist win. The protagonist in this case is a young but able 11-year-old Jaden Smith, who rivals the acting of his parents Will and Jada Smith. Jaden Smith is dynamic as a young dramatic actor. He is also very dedicated to his craft, undergoing martial training to excel in this role.
A major surprise in this film is Jackie Chan. Audiences are accustomed to watching Chan perform comical roles. Chan works charmingly in this very dramatic role. His performance is noteworthy, and his skills as a martial artist still reign supreme.
Smith and Chan make an awesome duo, especially the father-son element that exists with this script. Taraji P. Henson, a swell actress in a correct role, joins them.
The three are nice together and leave you wanting more. Their dramatic turns are nice, even though this script lets down near its conclusion.
After nearly two hours, the last 20 minutes are rushed, not allowing adequate time for immersion into the trials and triumphs the characters endure.
Still, the drama and the lessons learned are nice for parents and their mature children. They are kung fu fighting, and their skills are sharp as lightning.
Grade: B+ (Here’s looking at you kid.)
“The A-Team” (Action: 1 hour, 59 minutes); Starring: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Sharlto Copley, Jessica Biel and Patrick Wilson; Director: Joe Carnahan; Rated: PG-13 (Intense action sequences, violence, and strong language)
Movie Review: Col. Jon “Hannibal” Smith (Neeson), Lt. Templeton “Face” Peck (Cooper), Cpl. B.A. Baracus (Jackson), and Capt. “Howling Mad” Murdock (Copley) are the A-Team, a special, clandestine military unit.
They have unorthodox methodology, but they always accomplish their missions. After the war veterans are framed for a crime they did not commit, they enact a most brilliant plan to clear their names. Yet the task will not be easy. Army officials led by Lt. Charisa Sosa (Biel) and CIA agents under the direction of Agent Lynch (Wilson) pursue the A-Team.
Energetically directed by Carnahan (“Smokin’ Aces,” 2006) and penned by actor Brian Bloom, “The A-Team” remains true to the original television series that ran 1983-1987. This big screen version shows how the four men became a team.
“The A-Team” is a popcorn action flick. The stunts are unbelievable and plot even iffy. None of this matters.
Fine action scenes, comedy and outrageously interesting machismo are entertaining treats. This film knows it’s pushing the envelope — a characteristic that rivals that of the interesting characters presented.
“The A-Team” is just plain fun, and the producers did not intend for this to be anything but a wild rollercoaster ride. Neeson, Cooper, Jackson and Copley are amusing, entertainment times two.
Stay through the end credits for one scene, one that involves original “A-Team” cast members Dirk Benedict and Dwight Schultz (the original Face and Murdock). George Peppard, who played the original Hannibal, is deceased, but it is odd Mr. T., the original B.A., is missing.
Grade: B (I like it when a plan comes together)
