The Karate Kid

While it does its best with the source material, and strives to be an engaging, character-focused drama, THE KARATE KID is nothing more than a bland reworking of the original classic that misses the mark on more than one occasion. The first film was all heart; this one's about attitude, and not much else besides.

It's not often I watch a film and cheer on the bad guys, but are the bullies in this film really so bad? In fact, the erstwhile lead, played by the bratty Jaden Smith, seems worse than his adversaries, deliberately provoking them and bringing himself a great deal of pain in the process. Smith fails to garner a moment's sympathy for his character's plight throughout the production, appearing to be a typical spoilt rich kid instead.

Now, the real reason I watched this film was for Jackie Chan, and needless he doesn't disappoint with his mentor role here. Sadly, though, Chan has little to do; his mentor schtick is good, but he's kept in the background for too long and also limited to a single fight scene, where he beats up a gang of children; hardly bathing in glory. I understand that a bout between Chan and screen rival Rongguang Yu was excised from the final print, which is a real shame. Who casts Jackie in a movie and REDUCES his fight scenes? The rest of the film is overlong and overblown, with needless romantic sub-plots that drag the running time down to a snail's pace and all the usual fish-out-of-water nonsense. The fight choreography is poor, too, with the climactic tournament scenes particularly disappointing and dealt with in a perfunctionary way. I'd rather watch the original, or something like Van Damme's BLOODSPORT, again.

Saw the 2010 The Karate Kid last night. It was pretty decent, but I gotta say it is NOT as good as the original. Pat Morita owned that role of trainer/mentor/friend. I admire Jackie Chan for his skill as a martial artist, and he can be funny sometimes, but if you compare between the two, it's hands-down Mr. Miyagi. :)

There was nothing wrong with this version, and the relationship between Dre and Mr. Han was good. There was just something really meaningful about Daniel and Mr.Miyagi's bond. Maybe it could be that Jaden Smith is a lot younger than Ralph Macchio was in the main role and has a little less experience or maturity, I'm not sure.

Or it could possibly be that the original was for my generation and this latest one is for the next generation, which was the purpose for the remake in the first place.

what was the point of this inferior remake? really?

I don't think casual moviegoers were begging for a new version of the karate kid and fans of the original didn't want a remake?

of all the remakes out there this is by far the most cynical, lazy, exploitative money grabbing cash cow. The whole thing is a constructed showcase for Will Smith's son. Jaden Smith is not a very good actor and is not believable in the role at all.

There was no need to make this movie. It offers little in the way of entertainment.

Do yourself a favour and go see toy story 3 instead..the a-team..i think shrek 4 is still playing.

Before people question me, yes I have seen the 1984 film and I like it very much. I was not sure whether I wanted to see this remake. Now I have seen some good remakes like Thief of Baghdad, and some awful ones like Psycho, and I was worried that The Karate Kid would turn out like Psycho or The Wicker Man. Also I saw a lot of hate for The Karate Kid even before it got released, people criticising Jaden Smith and that it would ruin the original.

After seeing it with my family, I actually liked this. It isn't brilliant, but it is much better than people make it out to be on here. The story is very loose and updated with the bully theme still intact along with a love interest, and while it wasn't boring or bad as such it didn't always wow or excite me. I also felt the beginning dragged a bit, but my main flaw is the length, at two-and-a-half hours it was much too long.

However, the pacing overall is snappy and the scripting was credible. The Karate Kid is also assuredly directed, while the score is beautiful, the scenery is absolutely stunning and the kung fu is amazing. And contrary to what others have said the acting wasn't that bad I thought. Jaden Smith surprised me. Admittedly I was worried, I feared he was too small and too young for the role, but he handles the choreography well and actually shows some acting range. Jackie Chan was a surprise too. I do prefer Pat Morita's more wiser and sympathetic Miyagi, but Chan does do some incredible stunts and showed real emotion in the touching scene when he smashes up the car and tells Dre the story of the woman and child. Taraji P.Henson is also credible, Zhenwei Wang is a great Cheng and Wenwen Han was lovely and cute as Meiying.

Overall, for a remake The Karate Kid was not that bad. It isn't brilliant, but it could have been worse. 7/10 Bethany Cox

The Karate Kid is a Sino-American Rocky starring the Will Smith family scion, Jaden. He goes to China with his mom, gets beaten up by bad Chinese kids, prepares to revenge in a tournament, and falls in love.

Meanwhile, the underused Jacky Chan plays a maintenance man teaching Jaden to fight. Jaden shows no exceptional talent, and there's little of the philosophy that makes a sentimental piece like this bearable.

Karate Kid is family entertainment trying to show the importance of charity, goals, open-mindedness, and resilience. Unfortunately a slow exposition keeps the film from a fast summer pace.

Those who compare this version to the original may be disappointed, and those who are interested in Chinese American relations may find it problematic.