The New ‘Karate Kid’ Movie

My sweet nephew Terin (Holly’s boy) called me from the USA last Friday night.  He saw a shooting star, and at the inquiring age of 13, asked what the weather was like in China when he called that afternoon (well, 1:00 am for him, 4:00 pm for me here in China).  He also asked if we’d seen the new Karate Kid, that was filmed in Beijing. 

That night I told Tim about Terin calling, and we went and saw it for our date night.  While it’s great to buy dvds here for .75 USD (and so fun to get DVDs of new movies that are still playing in the theaters), you can’t beat a night at the movies… though that’ll cost ya $15 USD per ticket, go figure.  I digress.

As you know, the movie is a bit different from the one we saw with ‘Daniel Russo’ back in the 80’s.  Taking place in Beijing, Will Smith’s son, Jaden, learns Kung Fu from Jackie Chan while living abroad on an expat assignment with his mother.

My review on the movie?  Sure hope there’s a sequel.  Loved it.  It most perfectly depicted what life is like living here in China.  The school uniforms, the cultural shock of living on the other side of the world, the language confusions, the ‘losing face’/honor your family etc.  I thought it made our beautiful Chinese people look great.

Tim and I just kept laughing, because it was so ‘spot on’.  They have a scene where “Dre” (who, true to Chinese culture is called “Xiao Dre” or in English “Little Dre”) is trying to pick up cafeteria food with chopsticks.  Another scene has him trying to ask a girl in Chinese “what is your name”, and because his tones are way far off, she can’t understand him.

We even smiled at the part where the local Chinese people are lugging HUGE loads on their little bikes (see the above pic). 

So, xiao Terin, this picture is for you. 

Enjoy the picture, all the way from your Aunty here in China. 

Sure hope my wish on that shooting star you saw comes true (wink)!!