[email protected] Technique Entertainment Editor: Jennifer Aldoretta 9 Friday, Entertainment June 18, 2010 Jaden Smith plays “Dre” in this fun, summer- The Karate Kid movie remake of the By Robert Solomon more painful and numerous, and there are beloved ‘80s original Staff Writer few tears spared. Dre’s rebellion is also amplified, with the Like many who had seen the original, I was natural rebellion of a 12-year-old culminat- skeptical of this remake. Seriously, the origi- ing in this film’s riff on the “wax-on, wax-off” nal The Karate Kid is one of the great cheesy motif. While less convincing from a physical underdog movies of the 1980’s, largely due standpoint, this film’s take is more clearly in- to the performances managing to perfectly tegrated with the central theme of the movie, straddle the line between over-the-top and which is the learning of martial arts for per- sincere. Many attempts at duplicating this sonal betterment, not to fight others. have failed, primarily due to the bet hedging Of all the actors in the movie, Jackie Chan in Hollywood these days. Thankfully, I can probably has the toughest act to follow, as Pat report that somehow, this remake manages Morita was the highlight of the original. Like this balance. Morita, Chan is known as a comedian, which The new The Karate Kidtells a simple story makes his bumbling ineptitude more believ- about a newcomer being bullied by kids from able, even through the inevitable fight where a local dojo who works hard to learn martial Chan’s Mr. Han reveals his kung-fu skills. arts from an unexpected teacher: the mainte- Even if Chan is not as effective, he certainly nance man in his local apartment building. does not drag the film down. After a long period of training where the kid Is the movie fun? Yes. Did the preview learns the true meaning of martial arts, he crowd I watched it with break into uproari- faces his bullies at a big tournament, where he ous applause as Dre bettered his opponents earns their respect by facing them. during the kung-fu tournament? Yes, yes, yes. Anyone seeing the original will not be sur- Despite this version’s 140 minute running prised by a single plot point in this remake, time, The Karate Kid delivers best where it for it is fundamentally identical. How it dif- matters most. fers in how the conflict is amplified by the It doesn’t hurt that Dre is much more con- combination of the altered setting (California vincing as a martial artist than you would ex- to Beijing) and younger protagonist (who is pect, primarily through his ability to perform 12, rather than 16). Seeing high school kids physical feats that cannot be easily faked. fighting in the original never seemed very be- My suggestion is that if you watch this lievable, but seeing 12-year-olds fight is noth- film, be prepared to accept it for what it is: ing new, even if they are engaging in brutal an underdog summer movie, not an impar- displays of kung-fu. tial examination of one boy’s plight in a for- From the very beginning, this version eign land. Just roll with the narrative leaps, makes Dre’s plight clear by having him be and enjoy it. There is far more to like than completely decimated by the rival kung-fu the cynical laughter of other summer action school. The bruises are larger, the hits are movies which shall remain nameless. Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Aguilera reinvents with Bionic

MUSIC Think reggaeton as described by a machine cranks up again. computer. The album is like a sonic People throw around the word Christina Aguilera wall of sounds, which can definitely “reinvention,” but Aguilera really Bionic be overwhelming and disorienting for does it here, at least musically. some. But after the initial shock wears This album is totally different LABEL: RCA off, there are so many details and lay- than any other music she has put Photo by Chris Gooley/ Student Publications GENRE: Pop, electro-pop ers to hear. Even within one song, out, aside from the material lead- CITY SCENE By Jennifer Aldoretta TRACK PICKS: “Bionic,” there are many riffs and instruments ing up to it. It may not be wholly Entertainment Editor “Monday Morning” and that make a quick appearance and original, but this music done on “Bobblehead” then, just when the listener realizes it’s the scale of such a huge artist is there, it’s gone. Listen to five seconds absolutely fantastic. Aurally, simi- ON YOU 2 exhibition OUR TAKE: «««« « of “Bionic.” lar sounds are floating around, but This is such a great break to hear getting this variety and polish is re- Located at MODA (Museum of Design At- from a mainstream artist. So much ally quite unique. lanta), ON YOU 2 is an exhibition based on By Chris Ernst music is so similar that by the end of The deluxe version of Bionic Clint Zeagler and Thad Starner’s Tech research in Staff Writer a listen, it is easy to be singing along. should be the only version released. wearable technology. Garments on display were This album is the opposite. It con- Half of the good stuff is in the de- Bionic is Christina Aguilera’s stantly moves within itself, making it luxe version, including “Monday designed by both students and Zeagler and Tif- fourth full-length English lan- hard to predict exactly what is next, Morning,” “Bobblehead,” “Birds fany Teague. The exhibition focuses on fabric ma- guage album and her first in four but easy to recognize it when it comes. of Prey” and “Stronger than Ever.” nipulation interfaces and conductive thread em- years since 2006’s blast from the Generally, when people imagine These tracks along, with “Bionic” broidery. Of the many designs, one that you can past, Back to Basics. At the time Christina Aguilera, most people pro- and “Elastic Love,” are the stand- check out on YouTube is a pair of trousers that is of its release, Back to Basics was duce a picture of her pointing to the out tracks. There are plenty of other pleated down the sides. The pleats are able to con- completely different than anything heavens while her sound of her voice is good songs, and in fact, there are trol things such as mp3 player volume and website Aguilera had done. Similarly, Bi- blasting through. only a few misses, like the high- onic is just as reinventing. Running She is well known for her vocal concept, low-execution “Sex for scrolling depending on which way the user pushes either 59 minutes or over 80 (de- gymnastics, something she does not Breakfast.” the pleats. For more info, visit gvu.gatech.edu. pending on the different versions), completely break away from on Bionic Bionic is one of the best albums Aguilera neither waffles nor wavers but successfully keeps under control. to come along in a while from one Little House at the Fox in her commitment to bringing a She almost sounds uneasy singing of the best singers of this genera- For the remainder of the weekend, the long- new side of herself to the world. such “easy” hooks. tion. Did Whitney Houston ever running television show Little House on the Prairie This is not just a concept she However, there are a few songs explore this much? The album is flirts with; she fully threw herself where Aguilera lets a little loose. These controlled chaos and full of energy. will be at the Fox Theatre in musical form. Little into it. She wanted to make some- are the R&B songs which are outnum- There is so much in this album House on the Prairie: The Musicalwelcomes Melis- thing she has passion for, some- bered by the faster electronic songs. because of the time and care with sa Gilbert (Laura in the original television series) thing she genuinely wants to do This handful of songs actually comes which it was produced. There are making her come-back as “Ma” Ingalls. For those and wants to do well. as a refreshing interlude. several writing perspectives it en- of you who are unfamiliar with the series, Little Bionic is completely different They breathe a little humanity into compasses, including Aguilera her- House on the Prairie is the story of a family that than any other album Aguilera has an album otherwise filled with a very self, Sia, M.I.A. and Le Tigre. Bi- has newly-settled in the heart of a young America. put out in the past. Less than half accompanied voice. The simplicity of onic is a great listen and challenges of the songs are inspired by R&B. these R&B songs juxtaposed with the other artists to rethink their sound, It follows the family’s hardships and triumphs in The majority of the album is a tech- computational chaos gives the listener just as Aguilera did and does con- their strange new home. The show will also star nological dancehall. a chance to breathe before the beat tinually. Steve Blanchard as “Pa” and Kara Lindsay as Lau- ra. Visit foxtheatre.org for more show info. 10 • June 18, 2010 • Technique COMICS

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