The film is based on Hollywood's 1984 movie "Dragon Power Boy", which was rated as one of the best films in 1984. Japanese-American actor Morita Noriyuki also played the role of an oriental martial arts master in the film. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1985. Due to the enthusiastic popularity of young audiences after its release, this simple inspirational story has been made into three sequels, and movies that follow this model have emerged one after another. In this remake after 26 years, the background of the whole story was moved to China, the karate in the original film was replaced with Chinese Kung Fu, and the 25-year-old "Karate Kid" in the original version was changed to a 12-year-old Kung Fu boy , remakes of old films often make people worry that they will become "new wine in old bottles" lacking new ideas. However, "Kung Fu Dream" has made the originally less optimistic media exclaim that the "remake" level of this film has exceeded their imagination.
"Kung Fu Dream" was released in the summer of 2010. After only three days of screening in the United States, the box office soared to 56 million US dollars, and it easily topped the North American box office with a brilliant performance that exceeded expectations, and finally accumulated a global box office of 360 million US dollars. North American film critics gave the film 98% and 70% positive ratings for the film's trial screening and after the release, respectively. For an authentic commercial film, this is a pretty good result. Among them, "Kung Fu" naturally attracts the attention of the audience. focus. In the film, there are not only one-on-one boxing contests, but also the uniform martial arts performances of more than 100 red-clothed youths, as well as the meditation, Tai Chi and various magical martial arts of the Taoist monks in Wudang Mountain. The most amazing scene is the cliff at the top of the mountain. Derui also realized the key to overcoming the enemy and winning from this action. Compared with the external forms in most action films that emphasize how powerful various moves are, the kung fu that the protagonist learns in this film seems to be closer to daily life, starting from learning basic etiquette and hanging clothes by himself, any inconspicuous little things can be passed through. Repeated training to become a kind of kung fu, this novel theme no longer makes kung fu out of reality, so it has a very positive positive meaning.
Other Chinese elements in the background of the plot have also become the biggest highlights of the whole film. For most foreign audiences who have never been to China, they can only guess what China looks like from books or video materials, and this film explores the charm of China from the unfamiliar perspective of foreign audiences. For Xiao Derui, the protagonist of the film, China is even more out of reach. At the beginning of the film, he was forced to move, leave the room where he grew up in Detroit, and bid farewell to his familiar playmates. His inner depression naturally made him resist going to a new country. When he first got on the plane, he pointed at the pictures introducing Chinese books and said to his mother nonchalantly: "Everything in China is old, old houses, old parks, old people's homes." He even deliberately used a picture with a long white beard. Take the picture of the old man as an example, saying that this person is at least 400 years old... From the dialogue of this child, as Chinese, we seem to really feel the stylized impression of most foreign audiences on China, and secretly hope that this trip to China able to change his opinion. With the relaxed and pleasant background music, Derui and his mother arrived in China. Along the way, he looked at the intersection of modern architecture and ancient civilization, and began to vaguely experience a little magic, and the film officially kicked off. Mrs. Derui has always hoped that her son will have a stronger impression of China. She believes that only by adapting to the current unfamiliar environment can she forget the unpleasantness of the past and start a new life, but this is not something that can be changed overnight for Xiao Derui. . Being in an unfamiliar culture and environment, he became extremely sensitive. Facing the new residence "Beverly Apartment", he mocked that this was not the place he wanted to go at all; he also had a cold attitude when he met Harry, the white boy who came up to say hello; entering the room, he quickly turned on the TV and saw the familiar The cartoon "SpongeBob SquarePants" finally showed a smile, but the Chinese dubbing quickly made him feel down... The director just inadvertently interprets the alienation and discomfort of people facing foreign cultures. At first, he was attracted by the basketball court in the residential area, but he saw Meiying, a Chinese girl who was sitting on a bench practicing the violin. Therefore offended Lu Weicheng, a Chinese boy with good kung fu. Little Derui is not his opponent at all, so learning kung fu well and not being bullied has become an inevitable choice for him in the predicament. He first followed the program on TV to learn simple moves, and then excitedly discovered Longteng Wushu School, but Lu Weicheng was actually a student here! He didn't want to explain the reason, he could only get angry at his mother angrily, saying that he hated it here and he wanted to go home. Obviously, in Derry's view, the top priority is not to learn Chinese like his mother, but to learn Kung Fu. If you don't have effort, you can't Only by winning the opponent will he truly lose his dignity, and he will not be able to survive in China. The seemingly careless little Derry in the film has undergone many changes in his heart, and his apparent indifference cannot hide his inner loneliness and pain. He was reluctant to tell others about his weakness, not even his family or teachers. He will use his actions to prove himself, to prove that he can have a firm and strong heart in his body that has not yet grown up. It is precisely because of this quality that Master Han is willing to teach Kung Fu to him. For Xiao Derui, the kung fu master Lao Han is not only a master, but also makes up for the regret of his father's lack of emotions. In the seemingly ordinary kung fu gestures, they comfort each other's hearts.
The film carefully selected some scenes rich in oriental characteristics. For example, Wudang Mountain is one of the important scenes of the film. Lao Han personally took Xiao Derui to Wudang to experience the magic of Chinese martial arts. The audience in front of the screen can also appreciate the elegant atmosphere of Chinese civilization in the camera. Audiences who are familiar with Chinese martial arts have been known for Wudang Mountain for a long time. The name "Wudang" is taken from "non-true martial arts are not enough". It is said that the "Zhenwu Emperor" believed in Taoism is here to ascend to heaven. Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province, anciently known as Taihe Mountain, has a total of 72 peaks. Although Taoist temples began to be built on Wudang Mountain in the Tang Dynasty, the real golden age was in the Ming Dynasty. Today, the Taoist temple complex in Wudang Mountain has been listed as a world culture. Heritage, shows its precious value. There has always been a saying in Chinese Kung Fu that "the North respects Shaolin, and the South respects Wudang". The Wudang School, which is as famous as Shaolin Kungfu, is called "Neijia Boxing". One of the most famous. This film chooses the Wudang School as the source of Master Han's Kung Fu skills, which is also based on this cultural foundation. The "Wudang Trip" makes Chinese and foreign audiences realize that Chinese Kung Fu is based on nature, with "benevolence and harmony" as the belief, and self-cultivation to self-cultivation. martial arts for the purpose. In addition, the important place where Derui learns martial arts in the film is also the main scene where Master Han lives: Siheyuan, which is a characteristic building in Beijing, is an ancient and traditional cultural symbol of China. The oriental philosophy revealed by martial arts is similar, so the selection of the scenes in the film also explains the unique cultural origin of Chinese Kung Fu, showing the audience the Chinese charm behind Kung Fu. As producer Will Smith said frankly: "When you see Jaden and Jackie Chan training together on the Great Wall, you will be shocked - that's a scene we could never have shot in Los Angeles." In addition to the Great Wall, For the iconic Chinese scenes such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, most of the film's plots take place in the old city or hutongs of Beijing. The director captures the most simple silhouettes of contemporary Chinese life. Breath of life, there are also some folk elements that are less involved in domestic commercial films, such as cupping, Qixi temple fair, shadow play... At the same time, when Xiao Derui and Meiying travel happily, the place in the film is an international modern Building the Water Cube Swimming Pool and the "Bird's Nest" Stadium, and then two people went to the game hall to play the dance machine together, showing a young and lively rhythm of life. As for the music played by Meiying when she danced, it has been very popular in China and the United States in recent years. popular lady
As a successful commercial film, a dazzling star lineup is essential. Kung Fu superstar Jackie Chan leads the role of Master Lao Han in the film. As one of the most famous Chinese in the world today, from 1980 to the present, Jackie Chan has contributed about 25 works to Hollywood, of which the "Rush Hour" series is the best at the box office. However, his works in recent years, such as "Around the World in 80 Days" and "Flying Dragon Rebirth", were not satisfactory at the box office. Just when everyone lamented that Jackie Chan was no longer brave, in the summer of 2010, "Kung Fu Dream" made Jackie Chan again. Played a beautiful turnaround and raised his eyebrows in North America. The San Francisco Chronicle believes: "Jackie's performance is so wonderful, he makes the already exciting film more exciting and intriguing." The New York Daily pointed out: "In "King of Kung Fu", Jackie Chan has also been a master of others, but the superficial teaching did not show his personal charm, and in "Kung Fu Dream", he and the young actor Jaden Smith's relationship Saving each other not only increases the tension of the drama, but also maximizes Jackie Chan's acting skills - not the usual external form of patronizing and amusing, but introverted, atmospheric, and full of trustworthiness." True to his words, Jackie Chan changed his overly playful and funny image in movies such as "Kung Fu King" and "Spy Next Door", and created a forbearing, low-key and humorous Kung Fu master in "Kung Fu Dream".
Jaden Smith, the actor of the black boy Derry in the film, is a high-profile Hollywood "second generation" in recent years. His father Will Smith is a three-dimensional superstar of film and television songs, known as the "Golden King" of Hollywood's first-line. One of the most respected black actors. US President Barack Obama once said: "If there is one person who will play me, then that person must be Will Smith." Jaden Smith, who came from an acting family, began to perform on stage at the age of five. At the age of eight, he appeared in the movie "When Happiness Comes" He partnered with his father in Knock on the Door", and won a series of awards such as the American Teen Audience Choice Award and the MTV Movie Award Breakthrough Performance Award for his good performance in the film. This "Kung Fu Dream" is also produced by his parents Will Smith and his wife. For Jaden Smith's performance in "Kung Fu Dream", most North American film critics are full of praise. "Rolling Stone" believes: "The biggest success of this film is that it chose the right actor. Or put it this way. , It was Will Smith who made a very wise decision when he was looking for a script for his son." "Cinema" boldly predicted that the child star's future would be limitless: "This ambitious but brave little thing is younger than his debut age. His father was four years earlier, and he will definitely surpass his father in the future-his precise eyes and impeccable acting skills make people believe that he is not selling cuteness, but contributing aura." He was also awarded the American ShoWest Award for this film. Film Industry Expo 2010 Breakthrough Male Star Award. In this film, the little Derui played by him is stubborn and unyielding, especially his performance in many scenes, which is natural and cute. In addition, Taraji Hansen, who played Derry's mother Shirley, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 81st Oscar for her outstanding performance in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", as well as domestic veteran martial arts star Yu Rongguang and senior actors The joining of Wang Ji and others has added a lot of color to the film. And the theme song "Never Give Up" at the end of the film is even more popular with the newly-popular young idols Justin Bieber and Jaden Smith to sing together. I thought I could burn like fire, I never thought I could be stronger, until I was cornered, when your heart is attacked, I will give my all, I will never give up! I'll keep fighting! Whenever you beat me, I'm never going to fall apart."
Since the film's extensive influence and significance in the international field after its release has surpassed the kung fu genre itself, many film critics believe that "Kung Fu Dream" is a rare film in recent years that successfully connects Chinese and American cultures. When Chinese teenagers still carry the foreigner complex of "staying in the United States and going to France", the "Chinese Dream" of foreign teenagers chasing Kung Fu is being staged in mainstream American cinema screens. This cultural phenomenon not only has a positive effect on Chinese martial arts, but also More powerful propaganda has been made in today's China. At the same time, this kind of external image propaganda is no longer the blind praise and praise of the traditional textbook film. It seems that the more perfect the filming is, the more attractive the audience will be. Instead, a more objective and rational narrative angle is adopted. In the film, teenagers raised in a good family in China will also bully outsiders, but it is by no means deliberately targeting complex issues such as regional discrimination, but only because of the competition between children. I believe that no matter where in the world, this phenomenon is understandable. . In the end, Derry proved his worth through unremitting efforts. The core theme conveyed by the film is by no means "foreigners defeating Chinese" as shown by the superficial plot. The ultimate contest between Derui and Lu Weicheng is also fundamentally due to the different understandings of the two coaches, Lao Han and Master Li, on martial arts. What Lao Han told Xiao Derui was that "winning or losing is not important, as long as you fight well, you can win respect", and Master Li repeatedly taught students the purpose of learning martial arts that "you can't be weak, you can't suffer, and you can't be soft-hearted." Whether the purpose of learning martial arts is to conquer the enemy or to cultivate one's mind, the issue of "ultimate goal" of martial arts practice discussed in many kung fu film and television works is raised again by this film. And how Xiao Derui overcomes loneliness and fear and insists on chasing his dream is also the most impressive place for the audience. In fact, the "kung fu" in the film is just an attractive element. Regardless of the role or the actors themselves, we can see the little boy's efforts in the film, as if witnessing with our own eyes a thin and thin teenager who has no martial arts skills. The difficult process of training and finally learning something, the result is certainly worthy of his joy, but what is more impressive is that the film shows every bit of hard work he put in while practicing martial arts. Obviously, the "Kung Fu Dream" emphasized by the theme of the film is different from the "American Dream" of Hollywood. There is no Cinderella who was lucky enough to meet a prince, and there is no chance for a poor boy to suddenly turn around, but it has the forbearance and firmness of the Eastern style, combined with beautiful pictures and music. Exudes a unique Chinese charm.
This film is jointly produced by Columbia Pictures and China Film Group Corporation. This is the first time that the two giant production companies in China and the United States have joined forces. The behind-the-scenes lineup of the film also adopts the strategy of "combining Chinese and Western": Zeng Wei James Horner, who made the original music for Avatar, is back in action; cinematographer Roger Platt shoots the film himself; and The Pink Panther 2 director Harold Zwart and Transformers 2 editor Shi Joel joined, and the Chinese side sent Chen Siqin, a famous art director who has cooperated with Jackie Chan many times, and the Married Family Class, which has a high reputation in the action world, also specially designed a number of wonderful fight scenes for the film. Director Zwart's handling of violent fighting scenes, as well as depicting Dre's growth process and the development of friendship between master and apprentice are remarkable: for example, there is an action scene of night practice martial arts, which is creatively completed by the silhouette of the characters on the wall. , both subtle and full of oriental beauty. The fly in the ointment of the film is that the performance of other characters is somewhat flat and face-like. Whether the fierce-faced "villain" Master Li, the domineering and unreasonable Lu Weicheng, or the beautiful and quiet Meiying, there are still empty characters, lacking a sense of hierarchy, and ordinary characters. The appearance of the Chinese deviates somewhat, and even Hansen's mother, Derui, is sometimes inevitably reduced to a character prop that promotes the plot because of her lack of personality.
In general, the film's biggest advantage is to use excellent production as the external form and turn full sincerity into the theme driving force. From a certain point of view, "Kung Fu Dream" has basically achieved the integration of form and connotation. Specifically, in the film, it is mainly expressed as a combination of production strategies in the form of entertainment action scenes and discussions on the essence of kung fu, just like in the film. Master Han's martial arts can be said to have achieved a special balance of offense and defense.
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