Synopsis:

This version tightens up the story and eliminates elements that distract from Dre’s journey and growth.

Intentions:

The goal of this edit was fairly simple. That is, to tighten up the film and give it more of a centralized focus of the relationship between student and teacher and the journey Dre takes to overcome his issues of fear and displacement.

Change List:

* Cut opening scene in apartment in Detroit and of everyone sending them on their way, including Dre’s friend giving him a skateboard. * Cut scene of Dre’s mom forcing him to speak Chinese to the stranger on the plane as well as the rest of their conversation. * Cut Dre’s mom talking about nothing being old in China as they arrive. * Cut Dre’s line about where his mom worked. * Cut Dre’s mom’s talk about eating together everyday and the “Airplane lag” bit. * Cut shot of Dre trying to explain to workers about hot water being out. * Cut short scene when Dre first goes to school. Removed his mom demanding he return her “I love you.” * Cut Mr. Han’s comment about saving the environment when showing Dre how the water switch works. * Cut scene at school where Dre see’s girl practicing her instrument and then being picked on by Chinese kids. * CUt scene of Dre pretending to sleep with TV on. * Shorten scene of Dre’s mom trying to find out why he’s upset. * Shorten chase scene to remove some of the more over the top moments. * Remove girl asking Dre to festival. * Remove Dre trying to hide his jacket so he doesn’t have to work with it. * Cut Dre’s mom arriving at Mr. Hans to take them to festival. * Cut entire festival scene. * Trim Mr. Han working on car. * Cut Mr. Han telling Dre they won’t be working the next day. * Cut “date” scene (parts used later). * Cut girl’s audition and her father forbidding her from seeing Dre. * Removed scenes during training montage involving girl avoiding Dre (Replaced with a few moments from “date”). * Removed scene of Dre asking forgiveness from girl’s father. * Replaced music during tournament with “You’re the Best.” * Altered subtitle so Dre has more than just two minutes to have treatment given by Mr. Han (sorry for those who know Chinese). * New title added near the beginning.

Additional Notes:

I basically took an axe to much of the scenes involving Dre’s “love” interest, and to some of the scenes with Dre’s mom. There are other smaller pieces removed as well to improve overall pacing.

Special Thanks: