From what I have gathered, this movie is more of an homage to the original rather than straight remake. The plot of struggling kid (Smith) meeting older eccentric mentor (Chan) and using martial arts as a way of achieving various levels of victory, including a tournament are all there. Names, locations, and even the martial art itself, however, have all changed. Personally I think that this works to the film's favor, rather than hurting it. It allows the movie and actors to grow in their own right rather than being shadowed by and perhaps tainting their predecessors.
Dre and his mom (Taraji P. Henson) have just moved to China and as the black American kid on the block, Dre of course makes some enemies rather quickly. It doesn't help that the girl (Wenwen Han) he hits it off with already had the attention of the jealous aggressive type (Zhenwei Wang). Luckily he runs into Mr. Han, the maintenance guy, who just happens to be mysteriously good at Kung Fu and will teach him all he needs to know. Predictable plot ensues.
Just because I knew where it was headed (being a remake of a culturally ingrained movie doesn't help with that) didn't I couldn't enjoy the ride. Mini Will Smith is busy following his father's footsteps and pulls off some incredibly impressive stunts - all of which he apparently did himself. Jackie Chan is Jackie Chan with a little less goof than usual and actually displays some genuine emotion and adds dramatic actor to his resume for perhaps the first time. The pacing is great - it never slows down to a "get on with it" point, but isn't slamming in your face all the time either.
My one complaint would be that Jaden Smith's Dre was a little annoying and dense at times, but what twelve year old isn't? I'm a little worried that a sequel - as there is one in the works - has no place good to go, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
****(4/5 stars)
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