It's difficult to comprehend how all the sport movie cliches that fuelled The Karate Kid would work so well in a movie about spelling bees.
But they do, as is evidenced in the uplifting, inspiring Akeelah and the Bee.
Like Danny LaRusso in The Karate Kid, Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer) is a reluctant underdog who becomes a genuine contender.
All she needs is a no-nonsense mentor, which Akeelah finds in Joshua Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), a university professor who recognizes the girl's innate and remarkable spelling ability.
One of the more endearing aspects of Akeelah and the Bee is that the girl doesn't fully comprehend the amazing skill she possesses.
It takes a teacher and her principal to propel Akeelah into the competitive world of spelling.
Akeelah doesn't receive encouragement from her mother (Angela Bassett), a single parent who feels all this fuss about spelling is fruitless.
Bassett doesn't make mom an abusive parent, just a skeptical one.
Larabee not only becomes Akeelah's teacher, but the father figure missing from her life.
Thankfully, Doug Atchison, who wrote and directed Akeelah and the Bee doesn't create an artificial romantic relationship for mom and mentor.
This is Akeelah's story and Atchison focuses on it.
Akeelah and the Bee could so easily have been a maudlin, obvious melodrama, but he is blessed with a compelling performance from Palmer, who was a mature and talented 11-year-old when she shot the film.
She deals with many complex emotions before Akeelah gets to the national finals in Washington.
She shows us Akeelah's shy nature but also her steely determination once she is galvanized into action.
It is because Palmer's performance is so real and centred that we become so involved in Akeelah's quest.
Through the competitors Akeelah meets along the way, Atchison provides excellent insights into just how intense the competition can get.
She develops a particular rivalry with Dylan (Sean Michael Affable), whose father (Tzi Ma), is the quintessential stage parent pushing the child beyond acceptable limits.
Akeelah even finds puppy love with Javier (J.R. Villarreal), another competitor who selflessly shares his knowledge of the competition process.
It's obvious Atchison was inspired by the documentary Spellbound, which followed several students to the Washington finals.
He captures the same excitement when it comes down to that last word which determines which star will shine brightest.
It's remarkable and admirable how well he keeps us guessing, rather than anticipating the outcome.
(This film is rated G)
