User reviews

For me this film is underrated and I think better than the original karate kid movies and yes I have seen them. It has comedy, drama, romance, but more importantly emotional connection to the main characters. You really do feel for them when hearing and seeing their stories. good film!

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

Before watching this movie, I read the reviews online and there has been a harsh division between 1 and 10 rating.

Honestly, this movie does not deserve a 1 or a 10, whether it is: Acting, Cinematography, Music, or Story.

Objectively, I think this movie is worth watching. Definitely not the worst, but not the best. Its content is interesting and is a visible step above the original Karate Kid, even though this movie does not feel like a remake (so stop comparing >0).

The movie entertained and left me with a satisfied reminiscence of the experience.

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.

Currently, with a 5.1/10 rating, this is a very underrated film. I don't understand why Jaden Smith is getting so much hate, whether it is because he was "pushed in" to the movie business or if it's because he's playing a black person who moves to China, where in the original, the main character is white. I can tell that a large amount of people that voted haven't even seen this before. This film contains beautiful cinematography, great fighting scenes, and fun music for the audience to listen to.

Let's forget that the main character is black, and is moving to China, for a second. Do you think this movie would still have gotten 5.1/10? I truly recommend this film to everyone. Children and even adults will like this movie. Before you go to the movie, don't base it on the IMDb rating, because most likely, you'll go into the film thinking it's bad, then going with the crowd. First, check the IMDb message boards, or check a website with real critics like Rotten Tomatoes, or AOL movies.

This is one of the my favourite films (though not the best) of 2010, and should not be missed by anybody. So should you ask the question "See it, or flee it?" I will, and as will many others respond with a "see it". 7/10.

There are too many harsh reviews in regards to this movie. Had to express it a little better.

As other reviews said, this should be called "The Kung Fu" kid. It's a remake of "The Karate Kid" but with with Asia culture in it & humor.

The acting was in fact "cheesy" not gonna lie. Especially, Jaden Smith. I think he still fit the role pretty well. Without him, there would be no comedy. Jackie Chan fit the role pretty well too.

What I really enjoyed was seeing Asian Culture & Kung Fu itself. I learned about Kung Fu mountain (scene where the monks meditated & did Tai Chi). Without this movie, I wouldn't haven't known or wanting to visit there.

All in all, it wasn't That bad. I think people just had too high expectations & is harshly comparing to the first Karate Kid.

Yes, the Title could be a little "misleading". But Hollywood did need to add a different flavor to the remake & they did "just that".

Here is introduced a new kid , Jaden Smith, with the veteran coacher Jackie Chan . This is an entertaining martial arts movie with the intimate Jackie Chan but the show belongs to Jaden Smith . The story deals with a troublesome 12-year-old young boy named Dre Parker (Jaden Smith), thanks to Mr. Ham (Jackie Chan) he aware that Kung Fu is his salvation, as he fights an evil nemesis , facing down a violent young group trained by an expert and violent trainer . Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit , but his mother's (Taraji P. Henson) latest career move has landed him in China . Meanwhile , he befriends a youngster Chinese girl and immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying (Wenwen Han) - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural differences make such a love story impossible . Even worse, Dre's feelings make an enemy of the class bully , Cheng . In the land of Kung Fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts "the karate kid" on the floor with ease. With no friends in a strange land , Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, Dre realizes that facing off the bullies will be the battle of his life . The Chinese Ham who holds a terrible secret teaches him martial arts and combat at a Zen temple and trains on the China wall .

This enjoyable movie , a sort of junior version of 'Rocky', develops a sincere and deep friendship among two protagonists, the rockie young boy and the wise old man . Using more than his fists, Dee Parker/Jaden Smith learns about himself and the sense of life . As Han , who is secretly a master of Kung Fu , teaches Dre that Kung Fu is not about punches and parries , but maturity and calm . Agreeable and likable acting by two main actors, Chan and Smith , along with Taraji P Henson playing his understanding mummy and the sympathetic Chinese girl performed by Wen Han . The US title for this movie was kept as "The Karate Kid" , to maintain the connection to the earlier films it is loosely based on , even though this story takes place in China and the martial arts used are forms of Kung Fu . The picture contains adequate cinematography by Roger Pratt and long-standing score by James Horner. This feel-good message picture is professionally directed by Harald Zwart .

The three previous films, all produced by Jerry Weintraub and directed by John G Avildsen , are the following : original Karate Kid I (1984) in which are presented the classic characters ,Karate Kid II(1986) where the protagonists travel to Okinawa, Part III (1989) where Daniel again battling nasties enemies ; and subsequently The ¨ new Karate Kid¨ by Christopher Cain with Hilary Swank and again Pat Morita . This recent version ¨Kung Fu kid¨is a good remake that will appeal to Jackie Chan fans . Rating : Acceptable and passable following , worthwhile seeing . This heartwarming picture will appeal to Karate Kid trilogy fans.

The new Karate Kid doesn't even learn Karate - he learns Kung Fu. That's not the only significant change viewers who adored or grew up on the original from the 80's can expect. The story shifts base from the US to China, a move that embraces 21st Century's globalized view of the world as a shrinking village. This remake does what every good, successful remake should do, builds on the strengths of the original while downplaying its weaknesses.

The film belongs to Jaden Smith, the charismatic son of super star Will Smith. You may remember him from his previous forays into acting, including working alongside his father in the touching Pursuit of Happiness. Here he dominates the screen, not only getting first billing but also nearly all of the 140 minute screen time. As a launchpad for a sure-fire career in acting, it is about as good as any he could have hoped for. As Dre, he finds himself the victim of bullying at his new school in Shanghai, where he reluctantly moves to from Detroit after his mother secures a job there. Falling for a pretty girl draws the irk and no doubt envy of the schoolyard bully and his clique. The rest of the setup is as familiar as it is iconic - Dre is helped by the neighbourhood maintenance man, Han (Jackie Chan, exercising some decent acting chops) who saves him from being beaten up but also signs him up for a local Kung Fu tournament where Dre will have to take on the bullies in a final confrontation.

Apart from the obvious differences outlined already, the films setup - African American teen in a foreign land - allows it to amplify the situation to Dre's absolute disadvantage. Not only does he not fit in, he doesn't even speak the language and has even more reason to dislike his new home. These smart choices in constructing the films setup differentiate it as more thoughtful than the original, which seems almost dated (though charming) by todays standards. Even the numerous scuffles, from street chases to the final tournament fight, are grittier and more intense and act perhaps as good indicators of how much our collective movie watching culture and appetite for violence has evolved in just a generation. The one key area where the this film trumps the original is the training sessions. Whether being taught self discipline in how to hang his jacket and not leave it thrown on the ground, climbing some very steep stairs on a mountain or practicing at the famed Great Wall, the film benefits from a more convincing montage of scenes that showcase not just Jaden's athleticism but also the adequate chemistry that he shares with his master. The one area where the film doesn't quite break new ground is in the character of Han himself. While Chan is good in the role of Han, he isn't quite as lovable or memorable as Mr. Miyagi. This is no fault of his, for Pat Morita's character was just so novel (if you can discount the Yoda archetype) that he remains almost inimitable. Also bringing the proceedings down somewhat are the elongated running time and the blossoming romance that feels out of place and strangely stretched into full blown love.

Whether the film itself will stand the test of time or spawn unnecessary sequels via a lucrative franchise, as studio sharks no doubt hope and pray for, remains to be seen. What is certain is that this is a definite crowd pleasure - an improbable underdog Rocky tale for children - and despite Jaden's limited range in expressions, the overall film manages to leave its mark.

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.

'The Karate Kid' is entertainment. A remake of the 1984 martial arts film of the same name, comes a film that provides some kick-ass stuff in a running time over 130-minutes. Harald Zwart's direction is perfect, he makes a good remake, though one expected it to be a poor cousin.

'The Karate Kid' has smart-ass Jaden Smith at his best. A complete star, doing stuff that sometimes even elders falter in. Plus, one gets to see the legendary Jackie Chan in a first-ever serious role. And boy, Chan excels from start to end. The Actor in the legend has finally been awaken. He is the soul of the film! Taraji P. Henson also puts up a superb act as Jaden's loving mommy.

The stunts are spectacular. The climax, which is almost 30 minutes long, is the highpoint of the film. It's fantastic and jaw-droopingly picturized.

'The Karate Kid' is entertainment... which definitely deserves a watch. Also, it gives birth to 2 new talents, Jaden Smith and the Actor Jackie Chan.

I have to admit, I was prejudiced against The Karate Kid going into the theatre. Any cynic would be. With all the properties that are being remade, rebooted, and re-imagined with such poor results, it's easy to think this update of the 1984 original is just another attempt by Hollywood to destroy your childhood memories. Combine that with the fact that the movie takes place in China, where the protagonist learns KUNG FU, not KARATE, I doubt anyone would argue with you. That's what's so great about this remake: it's actually good. Very good, in fact.

The story is pretty much the same as the original, with China as the backdrop instead of Receda, California. Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) moves to China with his mom (Taraji P. Henson) when her company transfers her there. Immediately after arriving in China, Dre meets a pretty young girl named Meiying (Wenwen Han). He then gets the crap kicked out of him by Cheng (played with a vicious glee by Zhenwei Wang). Dre ends up at the same school as the girl and the bully, leading up to several confrontations. Dre gets a little payback after school one day, only to be chased by Cheng and his friends into an ally. Dre is saved from a terrible thrashing by Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), the custodian of his apartment building. Mr Han tries to help Dre by speaking to the the kung fu master (Rongguang Yu) who trains the gang of bullies. Receiving only a challenge to fight, Han agrees to have Dre participate in an upcoming kung fu tournament. Then the training begins, with lots of hanging up coats and trips to mystical Chinese temples. There's even some running on the Great Wall.

The original movie is so loved because it had a great story and created a believable inter-generational friendship. Director Harald Zwart has managed to capture the magic of the original and bring it to his version. A lot of credit goes to the actors Chan and Smith. I'm particularly impressed by Smith. I thought he was a whiny little brat in The Day The Earth Stood Still. Here he brings a lot of depth to Dre, making his role as a young boy thrown into a completely different world very real. The scene where he fights with his mother about going home is heart-wrenching. There are times where he channels his father, but for the most part, Smith brings his character to life himself.

Chan is great as Mr. Han. This is not the wise-cracking Jackie Chan of Rumble in the Bronx or Operation Condor. Here, Chan plays introspective and quiet, a man carrying a large burden. Zwart lets the relationship between the two develop naturally: the grow closer as the training continues. There is no animosity at first with some cathartic moment that brings them together later. When Mr. Han finally reveals his burden to Dre (his wife and son died in a car accident while he was driving), it's that final hurdle of trust that cements the two together. What Dre does to help relieve Mr. Han's pain (I don't want to spoil it) is absolutely perfect. Zwart captures it all capably.

The other thing that impressed me about the movie was the fighting. Zwart shoots it close up, but not so close up you can't see anything. The fight between Han and the gang of bullies is most impressive. Chan is not quite as spry as he used to be, but you see flashes of the old Chan in that scene, with the use of props and getting the bad guys to beat themselves up.

The movie is not without its flaws though. The film is long, clocking in at over two hours. While the film moves fairly well, some fat could've been trimmed. The movie also falls prey to corny moments the betray the scenes they appear in. The thing that bothered me the most though, was the use of China as a mystic land. While the film ostensibly tries to stay away from any stereotyping, some does slip in. Mr. Han almost becomes the mystic Chinese helper, especially when he tends to Dre's injuries after the ally fight. Using a form of Chinese medicine called fire-cupping, Han heals Dre almost instantly. Another scene where the two travel to a kung fu temple in the Chinese mountains is also falls prey to this problem. The scene is supposed to enforce the necessity of focus in learning kung fu, but when you seen a woman charming a snake on the side of a cliff, it kind distracts you from what else is going on.

The movie has received some flack (perhaps rightly so) because of the title. There is no karate in the movie and is mentioned at one point as part of a joke. I'm a little confused why the filmmakers wouldn't just call it The Kung Fu Kid (that title is being used in China, Japan and South Korea). It does smack of cultural ignorance. It also seems like the producers are trying to cash in on the name. I'm pretty sure the same people who want to see the Karate Kid would go see the Kung Fu Kid, especially since the story is almost identical. But I digress.

Leaving the theatre, I have to say I was quite impressed with The Karate Kid. It's perhaps the first movie this summer that offers quality family entertainment (though the language gets a little rough at times). The fights to get pretty brutal at times, so I wouldn't bring anyone too young. But the film is better than most. It doesn't pander and it doesn't preach, it just tells the story, leaving the audience to take from it what they want. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good movie to see this weekend.

Let's make it clear from the beginning, The Karate Kid is a blatant vehicle for Jaden Smith, with his all too famous father Will producing the movie in an attempt to bolster his son's acting career. Much like the criticism that Shane Meadow's Somers Town garnered for its association with Eurostar, it could be argued that the Karate Kid is a cleverly crafted two and a half hour long advert for Jaden Smith. That being said, it's a fairly well polished advert with Jaden putting in a solid performance, the only criticism that can be levelled at Smith is his age; the original Karate Kid was much older, broadening the films appeal to a wider audience, but as I watched pre-teens fighting I couldn't help feeling that this would alienate the teen audience as they will struggle to relate to the main character.

Don't get me wrong, the original is hardly a masterpiece, as is clear from its recent relegation to the library of channel five Sunday afternoon family films that are usually only worth watching for the memories they rekindle, but in 1984 the influence it had over popular culture was widespread, with teens everywhere desperate to take up martial arts. There is no doubt that the new version will inspire a similar wave of interest and while this may indicate a certain amount of popularity, it is no indication of the film's quality, which doesn't come close to the sheer entertainment of the original.

Without comparing the two versions, The Karate Kid is a fairly entertaining movie, it has its flaws - most notably its length, but children oblivious to the original will love watching Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) start a new life in China while finding his feet with the local gang. Jackie Chan puts in a stirling performance as Mr Han, the caretaker and karate master who dedicates his time to training Dre and teaching him the true art of karate, that shows he can actually act.

The story arc remains very similar to the original with the main alteration being the setting, which provides some fantastic backdrops for the street battles and a striking training scene on the great wall of China. Visually the film is impressive and the acting is okay, but remakes are never going to compare favourably to their predecessors and a change to one of the most memorable scenes in the film ("wax on, wax off") will be seen as blasphemous by fans of the original.

This is definitely a film for the younger generation, people familiar with the 1984 version should stay well away but those heading into the film without preconceptions formed from viewing the original will find a fairly enjoyable story that is very easy to watch. As i know most people reading this will have seen the original, save your money, and if you haven't seen the karate kid, you're missing out on an eighties classic - go and buy the DVD now and forget about the new version. Some things are just better left alone.

Pat Morita would jump out of his casket and kick Jaden Smith's ass. Terrible movie.

And I had to put it in the summary just to make sure, you are not appalled by the movie after the first "contact" with the martial arts at hand. Why they named it Karate Kid? Obviously because it is a Remake. But why not use Karate then? I guess Kung Fu is more aggressive whereas Karate is more a form of defending yourself. Both have a philosophy you can wrap your head around though.

And just to say that too;' I'm not an expert in Martial Arts (anything but), just did a bit of Karate training as a teenager. But pulling Jackie Chan into the movie, who revealed in interviews, that when he first got offered the movie, thought he'd play the Karate Kid, was a major stunt. Though Jackie was kidding of course, I do believe him that he still feels much like a child. He has the passion and everything that moves him into making movies.

And I have to admit that I thought Jayden actually did a pretty decent job here. I smashed his "performance" in the "Day the Earth stood still" Remake, but here he is very naturally. Maybe that is because it is closer to his real persona or maybe he does have a future in front of him, who knows. On the other hand, I'm aware that quite a few people hate him in this one too. It will be pretty clear from the first few minutes in what direction your feelings go.

I haven't seen the Original Karate Kid in quite a few years, so I can't compare and/or say how much better or worse either movie is. Nostalgia would make me say, that the Original is better, but everyone has their own memories of the movie (if they've seen it), so it's up to you to decide, if you want to jeopardize that memory (if there is one to jeopardize ... if not, read a few more reviews to decide which movie, you wanna watch first).

While this reboot is not as good as the original Karate Kid, it should have been called; "Kung Fu Kid", Jackie Chan as Mr Han is a decent performance, although this is the only Karate Kid movie that still hasn't gotten a sequel, it's still in development it's just taking a long time to make. Overall I'm giving this one a 6/10 ;)