No doubt about it, Jaden Smith has the comedic flair of his Dad, Will Smith. He could be even better, given the right projects and training.

And Jacky Chan hasn’t lost his touch. Not a bit.

Like what I said in my other blog, I didn’t care that it was Kung Fu and that the title Karate Kid was a misnomer.

I was finally able to watch it this afternoon with the kids, and I’m glad we did.

Dre (Jaden Smith) and Mr. Han (Jacky Chan) were the counterparts of Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) in the original Karate Kid back in 1984.

Needless to say, the movie plays on the time-tested storyline – the underdog going against all the odds, getting support and inspiration from an unexpected ally/teacher, eventually rising up and emerging victorious, and in the end getting all the recognition and respect he was fighting for.

Oh yes, and of course, the girl of his dream.

Well, the movie has that and all. In fact, it followed the same storyline as that of the original. But I really love how the story progressed. And I just love the comic timing of Jaden. I won’t be surprised if he will be included in future installments of MIB or maybe become the Son of Hancock, who knows?

It was a fun movie, but definitely not lacking in values. It’s one of those movies where you will feel good as you leave the cinema.

And yes, those who are looking for the famous Karate Kid stance, you know the raised leg Crane Kick, it’s definitely part of the movie, albeit a modified version. And that’s all I can say, lest I be branded a spoiler by those who haven’t watched it yet.

There’s only one funny thing that I cannot explain though – all throughout the movie and after we left the movie house, and even as I am writing this post, the song Moment Of Truth keeps on playing on my mind.

I grew up watching Jacky Chan in training – Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow and Drunken Master and seen how he transformed from a weakling into a martial art expert. Each time incorporating his brand of comedic flair that became his trademark. I must say that I enjoyed watching him during his ‘trainings‘ then than seeing him in the actual fight scenes in the movie.

Soon we might see Jacky Chan again in training, only this time he won’t be the student. He will be the teacher this time as he reprise the role of Pat Morita in the new Karate Kid. Yes, Chan will be Mr. Miyagi in the remake of the 1984 movie which starred Ralph Macchio.

Playing the role of his student is Jaden Smith, the son of Will Smith who made his film debut in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness as the son of his father’s character. A performance that won him lots of breakthrough awards and recognitions.

This is indeed one great movie that I will definitely be waiting for. One, Karate Kid brings a lot of beautiful high school memories (yes, I was in high school then), two, I love Jacky Chan and three, Jaden was great in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, now older, I guess he has even improved. With a new setting (California) and perhaps a new storyline, the movie has a lot to look forward to.

The movie incidentally will be produced by Will Smith