Jaden Smith Karate Kid Review from a Homeschooler's Perspective

Last night we had the privilege of viewing a special screening of Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan in "The Karate Kid". Going out as a family is always a real treat, especially when you're on a tight budget and can't always afford to take the family out. That said, we don't see a whole lot of movies in the theaters outside of those offered as a part of a special priced Summer package the kids and I take advantage of each year. That package doesn't include new movies by the way! lol So, for us to see a movie before it's even officially released is what you could call HUGE!

We were given four passes by our children's TaeKwonDo instructor (one of the reasons we have no money! lol), so daddy came home from work early enough that we were able to go together, arriving a good 2 hours before showtime to insure we'd have a seat. In order to insure a full house, they always hand out more passes than there are spots available and it would have really stunk to have had the kids excited to see this movie only to be turned away at the door! lol

The experience of seeing a special screening was interesting and a first for me. Security was tight... bags were checked for any type of recording device and even cell phones were not permitted inside the theater. As we watched the movie unfold men in suits paced up and down the isles alongside the theater walls, watching to insure no one had snuck in a recording device. Weird yes, but totally worth it. lol

So, ok... my review is generally positive. Before I go any further though, I should tell you that I'm what they call very conservative... especially with what I allow my children to see. I'm not one for giving my kids access to watching promiscuous behavior, not in adults or children (can't believe I even have to say that, but um) and I HATE movies containing foul language. I never have understood what the point of that was... so many good movies have been contaminated... in my ever so misunderstood mind. I also am not one to appreciate a lot of violence. With all that said I'll give this movie a 4.25 out of a possible 5. Here are my reasons:

This movie was awesome, yet given it's a karate movie, there was  a lot of fighting. Yes, I actually just wrote that. lol I mean, you know that going into it... what was I expecting? However, and this is BIG... I loved the overall message of the movie. Your kids will get a positive lesson on respect, earning respect, maintaining respect, and what complete lack of respect for others looks and feels like. There's a great message to those being bullied and those doing the bullying... which most of us avoid to a great degree by homeschooling, but it's still a lesson to be learned.

The acting was exceptional. Despite the fighting scenes, there was no blood, which although very unrealistic, I for one appreciated. The movie contained a good balance of drama, humor, and kept our interest until the very last scene. I'd say Jaden Smith is well on his way to following in his father's professional acting footsteps... which just in case you don't already know is Will Smith. Jackie Chan is always amazing... so you won't be disappointed there... that is unless you're expecting to see a lot of action from him. He's only involved in one fighting scene in the entire movie, but it's a crack up!

The only part of this movie that I didn't approve of, and again I'm tight when it comes to just about everything... was a dancing scene where the young love interest of the main character cut loose. It sorta felt wrong to me watching some of her moves. They were slightly suggestive, which just feels wrong when watching a young girl (a child) dance. It wasn't horrible, but sorta like what you see in dancing schools these days. If you've seen how most children's dance classes operate nowadays you already know what I'm talking about. They have the girls dance like adults. Can't we just let them be kids?

What did my kids think of the movie? My 9 year old son gave the movie a 5 and my 7 year old daughter a 9, lol... that's on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being best. I asked her again and she stuck by her answer... so 9 it is! lol

Hope this review helps you decide whether to go see this movie. I do recommend it. It could have so easily received 5 stars, but for that one scene... why does there always have to be an element that could have been omitted, or not filmed at all... one totally not necessary in producing a high quality movie that makes my eyes roll?

Thanks to Columbia Pictures for giving us these passes and a great experience! Hope there will be a sequel... and uh, more passes would be cool! lol

If you'd like to view the trailer: The Karate Kid 
Movie opens June 11, 2010