MovieChat Forums > The Karate Kid (2010) Discussion > The Karate Kid (2010) was really damn go...

The Karate Kid (2010) was really damn good. Surpasses original.

posted 15 years ago by millennium_critic
372 replies | jump to latest

So, I just got back from seeing Jaden Smith's first star vehicle The Karate Kid (the movie had been sold out since the 11:15am show) and....wow. I was truly impressed as I only went in with modest expectations. Not only was it a very good remake, it's the best movie so far this summer, and it stands on it's own two feet and surpasses the original in a lot of ways (which one is better will probably be generational. From the standing ovation these kids at the theater I attended gave this film I'm pretty sure from 15 or so on down, it will be this one.) But first off, let me start by saying this:

To anyone who doubts that Jaden Smith can act (which he ironically already proved in The Pursuit of Happyness), is a star, or deserved this movie: See The Karate Kid. I don't care how you see it. Pirated. Bootleg. Or the old fashion way (like I saw it cause I'm cool like that) by buying a frickin' ticket and sitting in an auditorium with a bunch of cheering 10 year olds (I swear I've never seen kids give a movie a damn near standing ovation like they did during this film's finale).

Jaden Smith has just silenced his haters. From here on out, if you don't like Jaden Smith: fine. Whatever petty reason you've given yourself to make you not like an innocent 10 year old. Fine. But you can't say he's not talented. Cause he is. If nothing has proven it to you before, THIS will. He carries the film on his little shoulders, shows leading man qualities (has a 10 year old ever done that?!?!? And Im being serious here). Has a ten year old ever acted in a film and not only carried it but possessed the charm, charisma, quick wit, comedic timing, dramatic presence and physicality of a hero all in the same movie?!?!? I shutter to think, I couldn't think of any leaving the theater. If they have, please point them out to me so I can say bravo to them to.

His performance was truly great and the fact that he did all of his own stunts and clearly learned kung fu and looks not only believable but in command of the craft is some sort of a mini-miracle. This little dude is miniature Will Smith of the highest caliber. He WILL be a star (pun, intended). Only thing can stop that is, well, him. Barring any personal issues, the kid will go far. Very far. He has it all. And as cliche as it may sound the biggest development to come out of the Karate Kid is that "A Star is Born". Don't believe me: watch it for yourself.

But I digress, I only spent so much time on the Jaden issue because all the unwarranted hatred thrown his way is beyond disturbing. I have never seen such vitriolic speech directed towards a kid in my life. Not even the kid from Problem Child and he was a certified a-hole! But anyway, the movie is good. Jackie Chan was surprisingly really good (and I mean really really good like Oscar-nominee good) in a dramatic turn as Dre Parker's mentor. The action was better than the original's and the heart and soul was just as engaging and entertaining. Though lacking the iconic "wax on, wax off"-moment what they do with "jacket on, jacket off" was truly surprising and pretty good stuff when you realize what Mr. Han was really teaching him. Instead of the "Crane Kick" we do have another pose and it's pretty damn good too.

To me, the original will always be special. I remember Daniel-son, and Mr. Miyagi is a fuggin' legend in every sense of the word. I'm actually utterly surprised this remake was so well made and engaging. Even though every one in the theater knew the outcome, everyone was still cheering and/or elated and moved by the movies "big moments". That in itself is pretty impressive. It's like if people were still surprised even though they knew who the killer(s) were in Scream 4 before seeing it. Could you imagine that? Yea, I couldn't either. Which is why I'm surprised at how good this remake was.

Go see it.

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

A plant?

Wow, Vampy...so, lame lol

And yeah, I said, "see it whether it's pirated. bootlegged. or if you buy a ticket"....yeah, that's reaaaaaaaaaalllllly tryna "make" you buy a movie ticket!

You're an idiot!

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Underestimating US? lol

What is there a cult of retards and trolls?

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Wow..lol

You're the one said "US" not me, idiot.

I'm part of no immature internet cult, buddy...lol

Grow up. I loved the film, as did millions of other people. It surpassed the cheesy original in every way. You disagree (if you really even seen it, which I think not! lol)

So, why are you even on this board? haha

[–] e_blakely 14 years ago

Millennium let it go. As much as I think you kind of enjoy this back & forth with the haters, just understand (especially here on IMDB) you're always going to have Major Haters & Stubborn Loyalist. This reminds me back when the remake of dawn of the dead came out. You actually had loyalist that swear up & down the original from 79 was better. Just straight lunacy! Dotd 2004 was 300times better than the original. (I can't even watch the original without busting out laughing on how cheesy & fake looking it was,ie zombies= people covered with blue or gray paint). I was just like you arguing with haters about that movie.
So bottomline deep down everyone knows Karate Kid 2010 was heads & shoulders better than the original (keep in mind i'm 35, I remember the original like it was yesterday, and back then I loved it). Again just stubborn loyalist that fear that this new flick will overshadow the greatness of the original that they held so dear all these years. It'll be like Coke creating a new formula again. This time New coke 2010 actually tastes 10 times better than the original. I GUARANTEE just on sheer principle of tampering with tradition , you'll have an uproar from haters that will never go for it regardless of the fact that it truly is better.

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

But see e_blake,

I believe Romero's Dawn of the Dead (the original) was better than the remake.

The remake gutted out EVERYTHING that made Romero's original a masterpiece. If you don't know, Romero's movies were NEVER just zombie movies. They were social commentaries that were analogies of all the ill of Romero's time Night of the Living Dead (was about the Cold War, Nuclear Experimentation, Racism, The Civil Rights Movement, and Segregation) Dawn of the Dead (was about consumerism, commercialism, materialism, and corporate corruption)...

Zack Snyder (while making a glossy, fun, beautifully made film) took out ALL the social commentary reducing the remake to only being a kick-ass zombie flick that's fun but BRAINLESS.

So, I'm with the crowd that says the original Dawn of the Dead was better.

However, The Karate Kid remake IMPROVED on all the weakness of the original and kept ALL the heart and magic that made the original special. It's almost the epitome of how to do a modernized remake. It's one of the best remakes I've ever seen....

Along with

Scarface
The Manchurian Candidate
Lolita
Heat

Just to name a few.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Millions of people didn't like it but it made $56 million opening weekend and it's CinemaScore Grade is A. The best grade of the summer! CinemaScore is the best tracking in the country for exit polling in movie theaters son.

Someone is in denial.

And it's utterly baffling.

Also, for someone who claims to not like this film, you sure on on this message board a hell of lot! lol

Oh, the irony.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Hey idiot, the CinemaScore Grade of A means millions of people liked it. It's a median grade based off of movie theater exit polling across the country.

So, if 8 million people saw The Karate Kid, based on it's CinemaScore media, weighted average of A, 85% of that 8 million loved it. That means MILLIONS of people.

You are the dumbest numbnuts, ever...lol

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

Hey slick, making money means absolutely nothing. Independence Day made a ton, and was probably one of the worst movies ever made. Not because of Will Smith, but because it sucked. A small bit of info for everyone, a movie with a black man in it can blow, and just because someone doesn't like it doesn't make them a racist. Hell I liked the Pusuit of Hapyness, Six Degrees of Separation and Hancock (Will Smith is much better when he's not in a cheesy semi comedic role)

[–] MissUnderstanding 14 years ago

MC....

67 Million people (and counting) as of Wednesday!

Glad Sony/Columbia makes decisions on what to put out.....the second movie is already inked so what they are saying is irrelevant and totally unweighted.

all the way to the bank Jaden/Jackie all the way to the bank!

[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

Once again calling someone an idiot, when you thank people for enjoying the film. Who's the idiot?

Why would you thank someone for liking a film that you have no vested interest in?

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

read more of the thread, the guy goes on and on about how he is not a plant, calling people idiots who say so. Then thanks those that like the film. Why would he/she care, and what is he thanking them for - having the same opinion?

And you're right I didn't like the movie, it sucked balls, just a complete rip off with nothing better added.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

By ripoff I mean that they even stole the door from miyagi's office from the original, looks given by actors, the placement of actors. I just thought this was really pathetic, no thought was put into it. They called a movie about Kung Fu The Karate Kid. The producers new that there was nothing to this movie, so they just stole a few scenes, and tried to recreate the magic. At the same time they missed some of the best attributes of the first. Like the development of the other villains. But to each his own.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

FYI Weintraub is a producer, not a director or writer, he really only cares about the bottom line (just wants to recoop his investment). He didn't create anything in the first KK. But I just didn't like the movie, and still think if they thought they had a good idea they wouldn't have stolen exact scenes from the original. Like the scene during the final fight scene where the master is looking at whoever, in exactly the same way krese looked at johnny. Even though this kid wasn't bleeding. In my opinion it was filmed that way because the director is completely unoriginal. And you can have remakes that are original. This just doesn't rise to that level in my opinion. Simply a movie made to make money with as little thought and effort as possible

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

I don't think you got it. Weintraub was not involved in any of the creative aspects of either film, he just bought the rights. So what does he care if the original is slaughtered? If you like the movie, fine by me, but I liked the lipton iced tea parody much more - "karate kid, I'm 35"

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

Did you really just call me weird and lame? I know just a tad more than you aboud the whole process being an IP lawyer and what not. I guess speilberg is intricatly involved in all the SKG projects. I hope not for his sake. You have not made a single argument that is not spurious slick. BTW I'm done, I only play with the tards for a bit. Have fun finger painting.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

One last comment for you corky, I'm aware producers have input on the final product, but they didn't create the movie, and don't really care who else uses the IP of the original creators. Do you live in America? Haven't you figured out how things work here?

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

Corky is the retard from My So Called Life - kind of an American Icon. Thank you for proving my point. To have a valid argument you must have at least one valid premise, from which the conclusion is a must. That is a simple way to explain reasoning. Dude the movie is just bad, and just because jackie chan has no emotion, it doesn't mean he's dark. He's just a really bad actor. And to tell you the truth, according to his own words, he's not even a good martial artist. (they hit fast forward during the editing phase, and prior to that they make the fight look like riverdance, or lord of the dance) Bye bye genious

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

very good reading and interpreting. by the way when did i call myself a professional? (we can define professional another time sweetie, but I'm sure I won't be asking for your services, sorry ;(.) i'm impressed that u were able to use google and find out what an ip lawyer is (its a lot more complicated than wikpedia would lead you to beleive). but congrats. u might be allowed into public school gump or corky or Lenny (if you have any classical background). that is if your mommy has bigger cans than sally fields

"Watch me *beep* - Blazing Saddles

[–] pcgiddings 14 years ago

Dude give Jerry Weintraub a call and ask him how much input he had on the original KK. And his answer will be, "I payed a curiously small amount of money, then made a *beep* load" Wow it's great to have money and steal from those who have talent. I like that list that you made. It contained a bunch of people who had never directed, and basically bought the IP rights so they could make money off the hard work of others. And in case u were wondering, Gates may be giving his money away now, but it doesn't meas that he didn't screw over countless people before his awakening. I'm one of them, cause the dean of my Law School got fired due to his involvement with gates, and my school dropped about 10 places because of it.

Grow Up kid. The rich run this country. And one of the ways they keep control, is by screwing over the creative people.

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

I completely agree NCChick and I'm glad you enjoyed the movie.

It's such a well made, entertaining, heartwarming, crowd pleasing, emotionally satisfying film. Not to mention a genuinely great film-going experience. It was great to watch in a theater with an insanely enthusiastic crowd who into EVERY scene. They cheered and roared and laughed and cried and applauded at all the right moments and made the experience of seeing it in a theatre that much more grand.

Also, check your PM for tip on your post. Seriously!

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

I know it's embarrassing and appalling that these scumbags have nothing better to do but it is what is. When it gets really out of hand, I address it and make a post about it but for the most part I just ignore it.

But this is a message board for a kids film, some of the stuff posted is just beyond ridiculous and offensive.

But anyways, I'm glad you enjoy the movie! We need you and more people like you to keep posting on this board when you get a chance to bring some rationality, sanity and decency to these boards :).

But hey, do you think you'll see it again? In theaters?

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] omoxus 14 years ago

PNCCHICK

What did Jaden do put on the wall in the beginning of the film?
Do you remember in the story Meiying told Dre? What was it that kept the prince and princess separate?

Im the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] ednalyn99 14 years ago

Do you remember in the story Meiying told Dre? What was it that kept the prince and princess separate?

The girl was the daughter of a goddess and didn't approve of her child's associations with a mortal. Hence, she separated them by creating a huge river between them.

[–] omoxus 14 years ago

@ed
That review was too glowing. It seemed contrived. I wonder if the poster really saw it. So I put out those test questions. By the way, you got that right! LOL

Im the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] ednalyn99 14 years ago

@omoxus...oh.hehe.I think the reviewer meant well, though. Her/His reaction was alot like my excitement after I got out of the cinema :)

[–] omoxus 14 years ago

Ed, I guess you're right. I read it again it seems legit. LOL

Im the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

I kno, right. She was.

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Yeah, great review Ed. Mox was off on thinking it wasn't sincere.

[–] ImaPepper2 14 years ago

I have to agree. I didn`t think I would like it and we loved it. Jackie Chan was even good in a dramatic role. Loved it!

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Yes he was!

[–] PandasLikeScrambledEggs 14 years ago

I liked it. I don't know how the movie only got 5.1 on here though.

====
Oooh! A shiny red ball!

[–] TheHeck 14 years ago

Don't worry. That just means that most other people do not share your opinion. I'm sure it will sink as time progresses :)

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

TheHeck,

Just give it up man. Every one knows idiots/haters/racists/trolls vote the movie 1. We know multiple accounts are created by losers who run and vote 1 as soon as the movie opens without even seeing it. The film had a CinemaScore Grade of A. Word of mouth is incredible. It keeps raking in money during the week. And will cross 100mil this weekend on it's way to possibly 200mil for it's entire domestic run.

Just accept it and move on: Haters, like you, lost. Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Overbrook Entertainment, and the millions of people who loved this movie won. Just go hide under a rock...lol

If you hate the movie so much, why do you spend so much time on this forum?

[–] TheHeck 14 years ago

Yeah sure buddy. It seems to me that you're the one that needs a reality check. This is a mediocre movie at best and the imdb and rotten tomato score proves it.

The fact that you believe that people would actually give 2 fks and waste their time creating multiple accounts just to bring this POS down is amazing.

But you go ahead and believe whatever you want to believe, bro. I don't hate the movie either, I just think it's mediocre and the fact that it's making an X amount of money does not impress me at all nor is it, in my opinion, a valid indicator of cinematic quality.

Cheers,
TH

I'm just came here to break your balls and chew bubble gum.
You know the rest...

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Haters!

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

It's called "trolling".

[–] ediaz8 14 years ago

It was a good movie indeed but like a poster here said, it will not stand the test of time. Mr. Miyagi and Daniel-san are iconic characters whereas Mr. Han and Dre won't be. Jaden Smith can act like he did in "The Pursuit of Happyness" but this was just "having fun" to me. First, he was too young for this role (11 years old during filming in 2009) and there's no way on earth that an 11-year old can withstand such punishment. His Chinese co-stars are obviously older than him, about 13-14 years old. The ideal age for this kind of movie ranges around 14-17. 11 year olds don't "fall in love" either, he hasn't hit puberty yet. The movie was wrongly titled as it doesn't show any "karate" but kung-fu instead (It's titled "The Kung-Fu Kid" in Asian releases). I noticed how this was a near verbatim exact replica of the original and they had to come up with slightly different dialogue and scenes to avoid scene-by-scene comparisons. Great movie but easily forgettable. You can find the original trilogy in the drama section of Blockbuster whereas this one will be placed next to "Herbie Fully Loaded" and "Stuart Little" in the kids section.

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

That remains to be seen...

[–] bambo2 14 years ago

Ditto to the original poster, this movie was a pleasant surprise.

[–] rwsmith29456 14 years ago

I'm usually not accepting at all of sequels and many remakes but this had a different feel and flavor to it. I found it more serious than the original. It wasn't as many laughs, but I liked it. The scenes around Bejing and China as a whole (even if Bejing is a couple thousand miles from the Great Wall) were darn interesting. The art of Kung Fu and mind training scenes were rather rich, with some aspects I was not familiar with. It seemed that Jaden had to do a whole lot more training to do than the original Karate Kid, which made more sense than just the 'wax on' and 'jacket off' stuff and soon you're a black belt. To portray an art like Kung fu as a 'quick study and you can beat anybody' really cheapens it. My son has been working for 5 years to get his black belt in Tae Kwon do even if his training/practice/motivation wasn't as great as the karate kid's, it's still not a short-term goal. The original 'Karate Kid' was great' and this was just as good, just different.

[–] jetavan 14 years ago

Drive 80 miles from Beijing, and you're at the Great Wall.

"Everyone wants to go to Baghdad. Real men want to go to Tehran."

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Haha...exactly!

[–] Fumbled 14 years ago

Yeah the great wall that is completely deserted with no tourists at all and perfect for running and training on endlessly.

[–] dont_b_so_BBC 14 years ago

Yeah the great wall that is completely deserted with no tourists at all and perfect for running and training on endlessly.

Oh, that's easy!

Most tourists-- due to the "day trip" schedule-- never venture beyond the 1-2 km of the fort nearest to the roads or public transportation, even on the most crowded days....

I and my friends walked 3-5 km out-- the restored "tourist" sections are usually at least 5-10km long-- had the "entire" Great Wall to ourselves (you couldn't see anybody beyond the ridges and bends)... it was a great "full day" trekking trip even though a friend threw up his lunch from all the walking!

Of course, we chose the farthest and least popular section of the Great Wall-- there are at least 3 restored sections that are within a day's journey from Beijing, but most tourists still head for the nearest one-- and also avoided peak (tourist) days/seasons.

"Because bad movies deserve to be hurt back!"-- Spoony

[–] dont_b_so_BBC 14 years ago

I'm usually not accepting at all of sequels and many remakes but this had a different feel and flavor to it. I found it more serious than the original. It wasn't as many laughs, but I liked it. The scenes around Bejing and China as a whole (even if Bejing is a couple thousand miles from the Great Wall) were darn interesting. The art of Kung Fu and mind training scenes were rather rich, with some aspects I was not familiar with. It seemed that Jaden had to do a whole lot more training to do than the original Karate Kid, which made more sense than just the 'wax on' and 'jacket off' stuff and soon you're a black belt. To portray an art like Kung fu as a 'quick study and you can beat anybody' really cheapens it. My son has been working for 5 years to get his black belt in Tae Kwon do even if his training/practice/motivation wasn't as great as the karate kid's, it's still not a short-term goal. The original 'Karate Kid' was great' and this was just as good, just different.

Err, Beijing is practically "next to" the Great Wall-- seeing as how the Great Wall was intended to protect major northern cities like Beijing.... it's such a common "day trip" for any tourist to Beijing, that I guess they didn't feel the need to point it out in the movie.

Though they did travel a couple of thousand miles to Mount Wudang-- which is in the south.... you could get there in a day by sleeper train/coach, but getting up and around the mountain is another thing (it's not just some forts on a ridge like the Great Wall).

But I'm still hearing some reviews complaining that Dre got trained up too fast, so I'd just point out that Donnie Yen start winning competitions within one year of joining the Beijing Wushu School-- so it really has a lot to do with the type of competition, training and talent you have....

Especially since the movie doesn't not make it clear that Jackie Chan was teaching Jaden a mix of the southern martial arts (a bit of Tai Chi, Wing Chun, etc.), which would be different from what the bullies do/know-- so some people probably didn't get the "point" of going to Mount Wudang.

"Because bad movies deserve to be hurt back!"-- Spoony

[–] Fumbled 14 years ago

Donnie Yen was already training and spending a lot of time in martial arts when he was still living in the US. He already had tons of background. His parents were afraid he was spending too much time with martial arts when he was a kid.

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

I agree rwsmith. 100%.

[–] MariMcCabe 14 years ago

I'm usually not accepting at all of sequels and many remakes but this had a different feel and flavor to it. I found it more serious than the original. It wasn't as many laughs, but I liked it. The scenes around Bejing and China as a whole (even if Bejing is a couple thousand miles from the Great Wall) were darn interesting. The art of Kung Fu and mind training scenes were rather rich, with some aspects I was not familiar with. It seemed that Jaden had to do a whole lot more training to do than the original Karate Kid, which made more sense than just the 'wax on' and 'jacket off' stuff and soon you're a black belt. To portray an art like Kung fu as a 'quick study and you can beat anybody' really cheapens it. My son has been working for 5 years to get his black belt in Tae Kwon do even if his training/practice/motivation wasn't as great as the karate kid's, it's still not a short-term goal. The original 'Karate Kid' was great' and this was just as good, just different.

Funny, I think the remake had FAR more laughs than the original.

[–] javirielife 14 years ago

great review

http://jpdeviantartist.deviantart.com/gallery/#_featured

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Thanks, javirielife!

Did you see the movie yet?

[–] javirielife 14 years ago

No prob.

Not yet, but taking the siblinz 2 see it this weekend, wanted to check out some reviews 1st before I spent z cash, it seems like it'll b worth it

http://jpdeviantartist.deviantart.com/gallery/#_featured

[–] millennium_critic 14 years ago

Oh ok, tell me if you liked the film after you've seen. I think you and your fam will have a great time. It's a superb movie going experience for everybody.

[–] javirielife 14 years ago

This film was really amazing, my entire family loved it

I personally think some scenes could've been better, but overall one of my favorite films of the year

http://jpdeviantartist.deviantart.com/gallery/#_featured