The Karate Kid will probably surprise many Jackie Chan fans. Although revered for his exuberant performances and kung fu comedy, Chan adopts a more serious persona in this excellent remake of the popular 1984 film. Fortunately, he brings depth and sincerity to the role made famous by the wonderful Pat Morita. And Jaden Smith adds his special charm as the bullied youngster who learns how to protect himself -- plus so much more -- by working with the enigmatic character Chan plays.

Pre-teen Dre Parker (Smith) can’t help feeling miserable about moving away from all his friends in Detroit. Make that “FAR away,” for Dre’s mother (Taraji P. Henson) has been transferred to China by her employers. When they arrive in Beijing, Dre has trouble communicating yet resists learning a new language. He soon suffers vicious beatings by classmate Cheng (Zhenwei Wang) and his pack of fellow bullies. Luckily, Mr. Han (Chan), the morose handyman at Dre’s hotel, witnesses this fight and agrees to teach Dre all about kung fu. As expected, Dre and Cheng end up vying for the trophy in an exciting kung fu tournament.           

Between that initial violent encounter and the important tournament, Dre discovers strengths within himself as a result of Mr. Han’s unusual methods. He also falls for Mei Ying (Wenwen Han), a lovely young violinist, and begins to develop more respect for his new surroundings.   

Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith project an intriguing push-pull rapport here. We can actually feel the strong bond developing between them, and we are deeply touched when Dre becomes the helper instead of the helpee in one heart-tugging sequence. Other cast members who impressed me include Zhenwei Wang and Rongguang Yu as the two villains. Wang’s hateful facial expressions would scare anyone -- even without the blows that follow. Yu, playing the evil Master Li, exudes haughty disdain for those who question his teaching methods. How I wish Chan and Yu had engaged in a kung fu battle of their own!      

Changing the setting of The Karate Kid to China worked out well for this remake. It allowed filmmakers to take advantage of such gorgeous sights as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, eye-catching Chinese architecture, and lush landscapes. Amid all the beautiful cinematography, a spectacular “lady and the cobra” scene stands out for me. Yes indeed -- The Karate Kid comes across as a visually appealing and highly engaging movie.

Still, don’t expect a traditional “Jackie Chan film" experience from The Karate Kid. There’s only one sequence showcasing Chan’s amusing kung fu tricks. And, as an avid Chan fan, I missed his usual hilarious outtakes. But, hey, this beloved martial arts icon is in his 50s now, so let’s give him a break. Who knows? Chan might even earn an Oscar nomination for his compelling turn in this movie.          

(Released by Columbia Pictures and rated “PG” for bullying, martial arts action violence and some mild language.)                      

For more information about The Karate Kid, go to the Internet Movie Data Base or Rotten Tomatoes website.