NOSTALGIA reigns this week with the release of Karate Kid: Legends.
Following the unexpected success of the legacy television (or “streaming”) series Cobra Kai, producers have realised there is a great deal of possibility in this franchise which first came to screens more than 40 years ago.
The premise remains familiar: a recently uprooted youth, with a passing interest in martial arts, is bullied mercilessly in his new hometown.
Finding support in caring mentors, he trains to face his abusers at a Karate tournament, learning self-respect along the way.
The major hook for this entry is that it brings back not one but two legends to oversee young Li’s training – the original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Chinese janitor turned sensei Mr Han (Jackie Chan).
A worldwide open casting call was made several years ago, inviting young people to submit audition tapes for the lead role of this film.
Ben Wang rose to the top with a complete commitment to training and preparation that impressed his older co-stars.
If you cheered years ago for that very first Crane Kick, you should make time for this.
The new film from Wes Anderson, The Phoenician Scheme, also comes to theatres this week.
When a wealthy business magnate (Benicio Del Toro) appoints his daughter, a cloistered Nun, as heir to his entire estate, they find themselves threatened by an endless parade of nee-do-well’s.
Anderson’s films are a particular blend of dry wit, highly stylised framing and impressive casts.
This effort boasts turns from Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, Scarlett Johansson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Riz Ahmed and Michael Cera, just to name a few.
Bring Her Back sees homegrown horror continuing to draw international attention.
From Danny and Michael Phillipou (creators of Talk to Me), this film exploits our fears for the vulnerable, as a recently orphaned brother and sister are sent to an enthusiastic foster carer who may have dark intentions.
The young actors are in fine form as they portray grief and uncertainty mixed with growing terror, but it’s the foster mum Laura (Sally Hawkins) who really impacts the viewer.
By Lindsay HALL
