After Earth

After Earth is a coming of age, re-conciliatory trek slash science fiction. Starring Father-son duo of Will and Jaden Smith, this offers a subtle blend of special effects. The interior design is somewhat more of a new age tryst than the straight lined, modular designs prevalent in most sci-fi. Earth is typical in its tapestry and not unfamiliar to what could be found in most unspoilt wildernesses.

Based on the plots main setting, Earth circa 1000 years from now, where most life evolved to hunt down humans is misleading in more than one way.  Firstly, how can a planet devoid of humans evolve to hunt humans, unless if they meant something similarly sized and physically inferior. And less than a handful of animals were shown to engage the young Jaden Smith. That too with minor adaptations if any to hunt humans.The only exception is the alien lifeforms that came aboard the craft as a training specimen for new recruits.

The pace is somewhat languishing and the uptake similarly from most viewers lukewarm, if the snores of one of the audience members is anything to go by. There are intermittent plot hitches spread at almost regular intervals to ensure some level of interest.

The core myth is hardly tenable to provide likelihood of offshoots. It was hardly tenable for the plot itself.

An appealing movie if you liked Soldier (Starring Kurt Russell, 1998) and/or whole wheat bread.

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The Karate Kid

The new Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith) and none other than the legendary martial arts movie star, the man himself Jackie Chan is a remake of the classic 80's name sake.

Obvious deviances include a switch from the US to mainland China, Mr, Miyagi is replaced by his present incarnation Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Resultant to this displacement is the fact that the movie name is grossly misrepresentative, as it's gone from Karate to Kung-fu in this new iteration.

The air is somewhat more mature and sombre than the original with solid performances by Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. Jaden bears likenesses to his dad in terms of personality and comedic pitch which is evident at various parts of the movie.

The backdrop ranges from urban china to monastic hills lush and serene, a refuge for masters to train and meditate. The action is realistic and believable with moves that are well choreographed and executed, no hint of wires or CGI here. However, one scene with a hooded cobra leaves something to be desired for as the computer generated serpent looked a bit too unreal.

The experience was wholly satisfying when blockbusters abound which leave you wanting for more. I for one wouldn't mind watching it again.