Musing from watching The Karate Kid (remake)

[nebula]

I wonder what Hollywood's obsession with remaking movies is. Now I can understand if the movie flopped and someone wanted to improve on it, but why remake the good ones? With the exception of Ocean's 11, I do not know of any that became a successful/significant movie.

Why do remakes fail, in my opinion? I believe the biggest reason is that movies, like clothes and music, are suited for the time period in which they were created. As much as movies seem to create society and culture, they are also defined by it. I can't imagine Raiders of the Lost Ark, for example, gaining near the popularity now-days as it did back in the early '80's. While the plot, humor, and action were pinnacles for that period in time, they wouldn't grab today's audience much.

Another reason for failure - the actors. Some actors just give their characters a certain charm that just cannot be mimicked. Can you imagine The Wizard of Oz with different actors playing either the Scarecrow, the Tinman, or the Lion? But to use a remake example, I think of The Parent Trap. While the actress playing the lead did a good job playing the dual roles, she did not have the same flair or charm Halley Mills gave the lead dual roles.

Then of coarse, there is the element of predictability. Watching a movie for the first time but knowing what will happen next, relatively speaking, takes away from some of the intrigue of the movie. Even though the writers compensate by tweaking the elements or portraying the situation in a different way, you still know what the end result will be. Perhaps that was one of the genius's of Ocean's 11 - they gave it a different ending (at least from what I've heard; I had not seen either movie).

So that takes me to my having the chance to see the remade Karate Kid movie. Although leery of remakes, I've heard enough good reports on the movie to give me incentive to see it.

While I do not think the remake was perfectly done, I have to say I was impressed over-all with the movie. First the imperfections. The original movie gave us the "Wax on, wax off" cultural fad - which was a part of what made the movie so popular; the remake did not have any fad to take away with you. At times the dialogue seemed to follow the same lines as the original in a way that seemed out-of-place with the recreated characters. For example, "No bad students, just bad teacher," seemed a bit canned, less natural.

But what did I find impressive? Firstly, it was an inventive way to remake the story - one can really sympathize with the kid's sense of feeling lost and alone in a new country, exhibiting an attitude problem as a defense mechanism rather than just being cocky. Secondly, I enjoyed how they played off of the more popular elements of the original - the catching of the fly with the chopsticks for example. Although the initial training with the jacket was not as catchy as the "wax on, wax off," it actually played into the bigger role of the film, as far as impressing responsibility and discipline into the kid - for it played off of a sore spot between him and his mother. And of course, Jackie Chan playing the role of the mentor was able to bring in his own unique charm to the character that made him similar yet unique and lovable in his own way compared to Mr. Miyagi. Chan is inventive at utilizing props in a fight scene, and this movie did not fail to deliver, giving his role an added bonus. But what really gripped me was the break-down moment of the mentor that was a turning point in the kid's life.

In the original, sharing in Mr. Miyagi's sorrow caused Daniel to gain a whole new perspective on his mentor and on his own life and priorities, which re-directed his focus. With the remake, the kid actually used one of his mentor's training exercises for pull his mentor out of the depressed bondage he had been living in for years. I hate to be cliche, but it was truly one of the most powerful scenes I had ever seen in a movie. It was interesting because not only was this a sobering moment for the kid, but it is the moment he finally understood in his heart what his mentor was trying to teach him about focus and control.

I'm not sure if my words are doing justice, but if you have seen the movie, hopefully you will understand.

So why am I writing this? Because I felt the need to talk about it. But for it to have had this kind of impact on me, I can bet the Holy Spirit is working on something in me through this. Sharing my musings helps me ponder out what's working on in my heart. So I hope you don't mind.

[wyguy]

They ruined the believability of the series for me when they made "The Next Karate Kid" with Hilary Swank as Mr. Miyagi's new student.

Everybody knows broads can't actually fight!

[Guest man]

I wonder what Hollywood's obsession with remaking movies is.

The lure of fast money and lots of it.

Sadly, what they fail to understand is, what made the original so good and profitable is that the original was just that, original.

Hollywood couldn't come up with an original idea if you paid'em.

Can you imagine The Wizard of Oz with different actors playing either the Scarecrow, the Tinman, or the Lion?

I take it you've never seen "The Wiz".

Perhaps that was one of the genius's of Ocean's 11 - they gave it a different ending (at least from what I've heard; I had not seen either movie).

The remake doesn't hold a candle to the original. You can't duplicate the rat pack.

[RGR]

Can you imagine The Wizard of Oz with different actors playing......the Tinman

Yes, actually I can, Neb....Buddy Ebsen!

[traveller]

I actually like the remake of the Karate Kid better than the original, and I loved the original. This is one time I think they got it right.

And, I'm looking forward to True Grit.

[nebula]

And, I'm looking forward to True Grit.

They're remaking True Grit?

How do they come up with a replacement for John Wayne?

[traveller]

And, I'm looking forward to True Grit.

They're remaking True Grit?

How do they come up with a replacement for John Wayne?

Jeff Bridges

Here's a trailer - it actually looks good.

[RGR]

The 1970's remake of "Miracle On 34th Street" with David Hartman and Sebastian Cabot was pretty good. I watched it when I was a kid and then happened to see it last year on Fox Movie Channel and recorded it. It doesn't hold quite the same charm as the original but it's not bad at all.

The movie version of The Beverly Hillbillies was hilarious even if it didn't come close to being as good as the series. The scriptwriters bringing in Buddy Ebsen to reprise his role as Buddy Ebsen (the role he had after Hillbillies was cancelled) was absolute genius.

[nebula]

I actually like the remake of the Karate Kid better than the original, and I loved the original. This is one time I think they got it right.

What did you think of the scene I talked about? (Being vague because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen the movie.)

[Botz]

I liked the new Karate Kid, and so did all the kids I went with...I thought the original was complete pants. (sorry Trav )