Teenage Representation in KARATE KID Reece Gwyther

Character 1 Dre Parker  At the start of the film, this character is represented as being miserable and almost moody which straight of is a typical representation for a teenager. This is shown by him being very angry that he has to leave America for a whole different country. Once arriving he is again represented as a typical teenager being very messy and argumentative, for example leaving his coat on the floor and arguing with his mother. He is again represented as a typical teenager when early on in the film he is involved in a fight in the park which is a typical representation because this shows the rebellious side of a teenager and Dre parker.  The prime example of when this is the opposite is during his training, he continue to works hard and put a lot of work in getting very little out which is the main untypical representation for a teenager.

Character 2 Meiying  Throughout the film Meiying is presented as being very caring and constantly on the look out for Dre. Also at the start of the film she is perceived as being very focused on her education and being constantly pressured from her parents. She isn’t a rebellious person which isn’t a typical representation of teenager for someone of her age. A clear example of this is when Dre wants a second chance she has to ask her father first for his approval before they could become friends again.  However at times when not around her father she can be very easily influenced and also rebellious when not around her father, this is shown from when she skips a school day with Dre. 

Character 3 Cheng  This character, Cheng is very aggressive and violent which in some cases is a typical representation for a teenage boy, this at the start of the film however is the complete opposite to Dre and especially Meiying. On top of this he also very demanding and controlling, the prime example of this is during the first fight seen that we see when he controls Meiying and tells her what to do and where to go.  However like most characters there is another side to them, this is shown at the end of the film when instead of getting angry at loosing the tournament and he congratulates Dre. This isn’t a typical representation, we usually associate teenagers of getting angry and aggressive when they don’t get there way. 