The Karate (Kung-fu) Kid

So I decided to comment on the remake of this film. I don’t usually comment on cinema, but this is an exception.

I liked the original movie. I think it’s an iconic film, and I watched it at an age when Ralph Macchio would have been like an older brother to me.

Here’s my problem with the new one. Let’s look at the differences between the two.

The original movie was made about an American kid who moved to a new place and was bullied. So far, so good. Here’s where things get hazy:

The original movie was made in America, about an American. This kid, when his own culture turns against him, looks to another culture’s rich history to help him beat those who have perverted this separate culture. On a philosophical level, true Karate beat the commercialized, American version of Karate.

In the new movie, an American has moved to Beijing. He is bullied by children of ANOTHER culture, then proceeds to master THEIR culture and beat them using techniques from a Kung-fu master turned janitor. On a philosophical level, Americans are better at sports naturally than anyone, regardless of the sport. This kid learns someone else’s native arts faster than their own children, and bests them at their own heritage. Evil Empire, anyone?

First, Karate is from Okinawa, Japan. NOT China. This makes the movie “The Kung-fu Kid”, NOT The Karate Kid. Why change the location? Apparently, there is a dearth of already-famous Asian karate stuntmen. Let’s say that you want to remake Rocky, but this time it’s about ultimate fighting.  Is that the same thing? Remake Rambo as a terrorist? We’re not even going to get into the obvious culturally insulting dialogue here. Those smarmy lines that Hollywood writers think is “cute”, OR the creepy romantic interest form a boy and girl of that age. It’s unnatural!

It’s hard enough to convince the world that American doesn’t walk around thinking that we were founded by Jesus without movies like this making things worse.