The Karate Kid

We like Will Smith. His blockbuster movies like Independence Day, I, Robot and Men in Black not only did well at the box office, they earned him a huge following of loyal fans. Heck, even his mushy The Pursuit of Happyness wasn’t bad. But a blockbuster reputation won’t make movie fans forgive Smith for the atrocity he’s about to commit — remaking The Karate Kidwith his son Jaden in the lead role. Jaden wasn’t bad in Happyness, but come on, Karate Kid is a classic. The undernourished Ralph Macchio as black-belt-in-training Daniel Larusso (“wax on, wax off”) and Pat Morita as the oh-so-wise Mr. Miyagi (“oh, miss spot) — they were great. And who can forget that messed-up Crane pose at the end of the big showdown? Macchio with one leg in the air, hopping on his one good foot, holding his skinny arms over his head looking like a scarecrow on crack. That stuff’s classic, and no remake — not even one by the talented Mr. Smith — is going to top the original. So, before Smith’s version hits the theaters, take this opportunity to see Karate Kid one more time on the big screen. 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow. Alamo Drafthouse Mason, 531 South Mason Road, Katy. For information, call 281-492-6900 or visit www.drafthouse.com/mason. $6.50.
Sat., Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m., 2008