Jackie in Kungfu Kid

Jackie Chan in Kung Fu Kid

The news that Jackie is making Kung Fu Kid is now of course no longer news but I want to examine the potential of Jackie making this movie despite the negativity surrounding it.

Let's first examine the original film. The original movie on which this script is based is the 80's classic Karate Kid starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. On the surface this was yet another '80's "coming of age" teen flick but below the surface a number of interest themes played out as a subtle sub-text.

* There was the "outsider" theme with Ralph Macchio's character relocating from Brooklyn N.Y. to L.A.

* There was the "single parent" theme.

* There was the "dealing with bully" theme.

* There was the "Don't judge by appearances" theme.

* There was a theme of non-violence.

* There was the theme that hard work and discipline is the path to true success.

* There was the theme that age and culture are not a barrier to true friendship.

* There was the theme of learning respect and honour.

* And last but not least the theme addressing racial prejudice, in this instance anti-Japanese feelings.

The outcry against the remake has been widespread amongst fans who express concerns ranging from "Why remake a good thing?" to "How can they make Karate Kid in China with Will Smith/Jaden Smith/Jackie Chan?" to just plain outraged "No!"

Let's examine some of the aspects of a remake more closely.

Firstly Will Smith is at the right age to have been one of the many teens mesmerised by "wax on wax off". He has also expressed a desire, entering his 40's, to make movies that have meaning and purpose. Taking a look at the many themes in the original this remake has both scope and potential to bring a fresh look at those themes with the rise and growth of China as a world power but carrying with it the prejudices and lack of understanding about the country and it's people. Relocating the movie to China is potentially a very clever move with all the associated thematic possibilities that contains.

Although this has been touted as a vehicle for Jaden Smith's growing 'fame' he does have an ability to convey a certain innocence and naivety on screen (Pursuit of Happyness) which is essential to the 'outsider' stranger in a strange land aspect of the movie. The feeling of being lost in a world that you don't understand and that doesn't understand you is essential to this movie. When that world then turns openly hostile dealing with the situation becomes the central theme and what makes this film universal in it's appeal.

Despite Jackie's success in Hollywood with box office earnings close to $800 000 just with the 3 Rush Hour movies he has never really broken into the A-list category. The difficulties facing Asian actors in Hollywood have been discussed many times in many other places so I won't rehash the debate here however Jackie is as much a victim of the stereotyping and prejudice as any other Asian actor. Will Smith is very much THE man of the moment in Hollywood. With him producing Kungfu Kid I am hoping that this is an opportunity for Jackie to break through that glass ceiling.

The role Jackie is playing, Mr Miyagi (now translated into Mr Han), won Pat Morita an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Jackie has commented many times that they don't give Oscars for Action, so let's hope that this part has been scripted in such a way, giving sufficient depth to the material and character for Jackie to work with, so that even if an Oscar isn't on the cards, he can at least show that he can also act. Jackie fans will need no convincing of his ability to convey depth of emotion with sensitivity and subtlety however the material he has had to work with in Hollywood hasn't exactly been suitable to showcase this ability.

I am sure that with the heavy weight promotional work that will support the release of this movie that it will, whatever it's shortcomings may prove to be, that it will be a success. But I am hoping that that success will also translate into success for Jackie. With him actively seeking other roles and characters to play he needs Hollywood to send him better and different scripts from the 'fish out of water' type parts he has had. It would also be good if Hollywood can recognize that Jackie is capable of carrying a movie on his own and that he doesn't need to be paired with co-star to draw the fans into the theaters.

So here is my wish for this film - May the Script be good, the acting better and the stunts better still and may it be THE film in which Jackie truly earns his Hollywood chops and opens hitherto closed doors for him.

PS and an Oscar would look good amongst all those Golden Horse and Golden Rooster awards....