the karate kid movie review

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, a faithful remake, well done.

Now streaming on:

If you've seen " The Karate Kid " (1984), the memories will come back during this 2010 remake. That's a compliment. The original story was durable enough to inspire three sequels, and now we have an entertaining version filmed mostly on location in China, with 56-year-old Jackie Chan in the role of Mr. Miyagi.

The original was one of its year's best movies. The new one lacks the perfect freshness of that one; there aren't many surprises, as it follows the 1984 version almost point by point. But here is a lovely and well-made film that stands on its own feet. The Chinese locations add visual interest, there are scenes of splendor in mountains and on the Great Wall, and the characters are once again engaging.

The original film's greatest asset was the Oscar-nominated performance by Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. Jackie Chan is so famous that it can come as no surprise here when his Mr. Han, a reclusive janitor, reveals a hidden talent for the martial arts. But Chan has never been a strutting, macho fighter onscreen; his charm comes from a self-kidding quality. Here he does a good job of cooling down his usual cheerfulness and keeping his cards hidden.

In the role of his young pupil, Jaden Smith , son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, has a natural screen presence. Dre Parker is calmer than the skittish kid played by Ralph Macchio , but so much smaller than his opponents that we can well believe his fear of a bully at school. And when that happens, we can forget obsessing about the 1984 film and enjoy this one. That was then, this is now.

The story once again involves a kid being packed up by his divorced mom and forced to leave his hometown and friends and move far away — from Detroit to Beijing, this time. He hates it. Then a cute young violinist named Meiying ( Han Wenwen ) smiles at him, and life looks more promising — if it weren't for the school bully Cheng (Wang Zhenwei). This creature is so hateful and sadistic, it's hard to explain, until we meet his brutal kung fu coach, Master Li (Yu Rongguang). The monstrous Li teaches a new form of child abuse: Kids beating up on each other.

The story proceeds, as it must, with Dre slowly softening the heart of Mr. Han, who saves him from a beating by Cheng and agrees to teach him the secrets of kung fu. Training goes well, and Dre and Meiying make a pact to attend each other's big days: his kung fu tournament, her recital. There's the usual nonsense about her parents disapproving of him. Gee, why in the world would the parents of a world-class classical musician disapprove of a kung fu student from Detroit who doesn't speak Chinese?

Luckily for Dre and the movie, everyone in China who needs to speak English can do so, even the little monster Cheng. Many Americans not only have little interest in learning another language, they have little interest in reading subtitles of their own. We believe, as Mark Twain put it in The Innocents Abroad, that any foreigner can understand English if it is only spoken slowly enough and loudly enough.

It goes without saying that the whole film leads up to a climactic kung fu tournament, and that Dre is pitted against Cheng for the championship. The lineage of the film is distinguished; the 1984 version was directed by John Avildsen , director of " Rocky ." This film's climax is unusually well-handled; the tension is constructed in a careful way, the characters are developed, and use of a scoreboard makes it seem orderly, not rushed. It's one of the better obligatory fight climaxes I've seen.

The director, Harald Zwart , has not been one of my favorites; he made last year's " The Pink Panther 2 ." But here, with a robust script by Christopher Murphey and cinematography by Roger Pratt (who filmed two "Harry Potters"), he makes a handsome, absorbing movie. It runs a little long, but during the championship, that's the last thing you're thinking of.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Now playing

The Last Stop in Yuma County

Matt zoller seitz.

Boy Kills World

Simon abrams.

Taking Venice

The Idea of You

The Roundup: Punishment

Film Credits

The Karate Kid (2010)

Rated PG for bullying, martial arts action violence and some mild language

140 minutes

Jaden Smith as Dre Parker

Jackie Chan as Mr. Han

Taraji P. Henson as Sherry Parker

Han Wenwen as Meiying

Directed by

• Harald Zwart
• Christopher Murphey

Based on a story by

• Robert Mark Kamen

Latest blog posts

Cannes 2024: Marcello Mio, Parthenope, Elementary

Fantastic Start to Fourth Season of Evil Maintains Creepy Quality

West Side Oratory: Judas and the Black Messiah

Cannes 2024 Video #4: Jason Gorber on Canada's Films

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Real-Life Heroes on YouTube for Tweens and Teens

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Celebrating Black History Month

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

The karate kid (2010), common sense media reviewers.

Remake has new stars, new country, but same winning spirit.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

As with the original, the Karate Kid 2010's me

It's very very obvious who's "good&qu

The new Karate Kid boasts just as much bullying an

Dre, who is 12, is obviously interested in Meiying

Aside from the word "ass," which Karate

Since the movie takes place in China, there's

In one scene, Mr. Han looks and acts drunk (a bott

Parents need to know that this Karate Kid remake is a faithful adaptation of the original but because the central character is 12 instead of 16, the language and romance is appropriately scaled back, even though the violence is a bit more startling. There's not much cursing (a few uses of the word "ass…

Positive Messages

As with the original, the Karate Kid 2010's message is supposed to be that violence doesn't solve problems and that pure martial arts are about peace and self reflection, not fighting or revenge. While there is a lot of of violence, the overall theme of the film is a positive one.

Positive Role Models

It's very very obvious who's "good" and who's not. Mr. Han considers and discusses martial arts almost like yoga -- a sacred practice that should never be abused. Meanwhile, Master Li is a competitive zealot who espouses the importance of "No weakness, no mercy!"

Violence & Scariness

The new Karate Kid boasts just as much bullying and martial-arts violence as the original, but these characters are middle-school aged, not high-schoolers. There are black eyes, cracked ribs, and broken bones. Plus, one scene features an adult against five eager-to-brawl tweens and teens.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Dre, who is 12, is obviously interested in Meiying, and they flirt with each other quite openly. After some hand holding, they play a dance video game, and during her hip-hop dance, he stares at her wide-eyed and tells her "You're dancing is HOT." They eventually share one brief closed-mouth kiss.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Aside from the word "ass," which Karate Kid Jaden Smith says about four times, there's the occasional "stupid," "loser" and the like.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Since the movie takes place in China, there's not a whole lot of visible consumerism, but some brands that stand out include SpongeBob SquarePants (in Mandarin!), Volkswagen, and Air China.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

In one scene, Mr. Han looks and acts drunk (a bottle of Chinese alcohol is shown).

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this Karate Kid remake is a faithful adaptation of the original but because the central character is 12 instead of 16, the language and romance is appropriately scaled back, even though the violence is a bit more startling. There's not much cursing (a few uses of the word "ass") or sexuality (mild flirting and one chaste kiss), but there are a whole lot of fight scenes. The Chinese bullies are pretty merciless both off and on the mat. They're even willing to do some unethical moves to secure a championship. But when it comes down to it, this is a friendship story between old and young, East and West, and that's a fine message for young kids. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (93)
• Kids say (136)

Based on 93 parent reviews

Great movie. A must watch.....

What's the story.

Twelve-year-old Dre Parker ( Jaden Smith ) moves with his widowed mother ( Taraji P. Henson ) from Detroit to Beijing, China, where he has to learn a new language, acclimate to a new school, and deal with a completely different culture. Early on, he shows an interest in Meiying, a pretty young violinist, but his flirtation brings him face-to-face with a crew of kung fu-practicing bullies who taunt Dre and beat him up pretty mercilessly at every possible turn. Like in the original, the bullies all take advanced martial arts at a scarily competitive kung fu studio led by Master Li (Rongguang Yu). Just when Dre's about to be attacked by six of the bullies, he's saved by his apartment complex's maintenance man, Mr. Han ( Jackie Chan ), who hesitantly agrees to train Dre for a kung fu competition where he'll face all of his nemeses. Their mentor-mentee relationship develops into strong friendship that helps both Dre and Mr. Han grow past their insecurity and pain.

Is It Any Good?

Surprisingly, this remake is not only incredibly faithful to the original (except for the protagonist's age, the setting, and the style of martial art), but also incredibly entertaining. Viewers are sure to clap and hoot throughout many, many scenes. What makes the kung fu reimagining work is the stellar performances by Smith, who channels his father Will's intensity and charm, and Chan, who finally seems in his element and gets to show some dramatic acting skills. They may not have some of the humorous exchanges (or lines) that made Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita so lovable, but their friendship is believable and strong enough to carry the story.

The movie, even with its unncessarily long run time of nearly two and a half hours, proves that Smith is a natural-born entertainer, which isn't surprising considering he's basically Hollywood royalty. He may have initially gotten the part because of his parents, but he's funny, at ease, and can even nail tween angst. The rapport between Smith and Henson as mother-and-son is realistic, and his flirtation with Meiying is adorable. The antagonists are perfectly played (at last, Asian boys aren't portrayed as geeky!), and Master Li is a slick, Chinese version of John Kreese's "No mercy!"-spewing Sensei. While it's unlikely that Chan's "take off the jacket/put it up" bit will become the cultural touchstone that "wax on!/wax off!" was, the spirit of the original -- the triumph of a multi-generational, multi-cultural friendship -- makes this underdog story hard to resist.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how this is ultimately a fish-out-of-water story. How is Dre even more of an outsider than the original's Daniel? What are the cultural differences that make it difficult for Dre to fit in? Do outsiders always meet with bullying , or are there ways to make it easier to get along?

What do Dre and Mr. Han teach each other? Is it believable that an older man and a 12-year-old would become best friends?

While the first Karate Kid dealt with class, this one subtly deals with race and culture. How does Dre's different background affect his ability to fit in? Why? Did the movie challenge or reinforce any stereotypes ? Kids: How do you treat people from different backgrounds or those who are new in town?

Movie Details

• In theaters : June 11, 2010
• On DVD or streaming : October 5, 2010
• Cast : Jackie Chan , Jaden Smith , Taraji P. Henson
• Director : Harald Zwart
• Inclusion Information : Asian actors, Female actors, Black actors
• Studio : Columbia Pictures
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Topics : Sports and Martial Arts , Friendship
• Run time : 132 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : bullying, martial arts action violence and mild language
• Last updated : January 28, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

The Karate Kid

Kung Fu Panda

Shanghai Noon

Martial arts movies for kids, related topics.

• Sports and Martial Arts

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

The Karate Kid at 40: why the film’s lasting appeal stems from a simplistic stereotyping of the ‘mysterious east’

Professor of Cultural Studies, Cardiff University

Disclosure statement

Paul Bowman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Cardiff University provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK.

View all partners

Forty years after the release of The Karate Kid, many fans of the film still can’t hear the name “Daniel” without wanting to add a “san” to it. They may channel the iconic teacher Mr Miyagi, with his deep guttural intensity. And they may even repeat the film’s most famous saying, “wax on, wax off”, raise their arms and stand on one leg whenever they hear that someone does karate.

But are these fragments the sum total of the film’s legacy? And are they mere harmless fun – or do they register as racism, or something like it?

Arguably, the very appeal of The Karate Kid derives from its most problematic dimensions. Academics call this Orientalism – the romantic idealisation of the mystical “other”.

In most respects, The Karate Kid is entirely conventional. Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) is the new kid in town. He attempts to socialise, falls for a girl and provokes the wrath of her recent ex-boyfriend, Johnny (William Zabka), who also happens to be the senior student at a tough karate dojo, Cobra Kai.

The beatings and harassment Daniel experiences induce the hermit-like caretaker Miyagi (Pat Morita) to offer him guidance and, crucially, karate lessons.

The film’s director, John G. Avildsen, had previously directed Rocky, in which an over-the-hill, working-class underdog rises to the challenge, takes a heroic beating, and gets the girl. The Karate Kid retools this formula to expand its appeal into the teen market, replacing the brutal boxing of older men with teen heart-throbs and the extremely cinematic practice of karate.

• Orientalism

Coming a decade after the kung fu craze of the 1970s, The Karate Kid translates Hong Kong kung fu into Hollywood karate. It registers the popularity and power of a macho, militarised karate – Cobra Kai’s bad-guy sensei, John Kreese (Martin Kove), was a Green Beret soldier. Against this, the film advocates the “exotic” idea of a pacifist and cultured karate, one based on balance and harmony.

Yet, the idea that “true karate” is pacifist and philosophical owes considerably more to hippy counterculture and the 1970s TV series Kung Fu than it does to anything actually eastern.

Indeed, The Karate Kid is arguably a vital part of the “spiritualising” and “existentialising” of Asian martial arts that took place in western popular culture in the early 1980s. The major 1983 BBC TV series (and accompanying book ) The Way of the Warrior: The Paradox of the Martial Arts is another example – in which the 1970s love of spectacular Asian martial arts is still present, but now people are also asking: “Is that all there is?”

The answer given by The Karate Kid is a resounding “no” – Asian martial arts are not just about macho pugilism. They are paths to development, self-improvement and “peace”. This is expressed through Orientalist imagery and straightforward binaries, opposing the heartless, macho, militarised modern “west” with a sensitive, nurturing, philosophical and ancient “east”.

Orientalist binaries are everywhere in western culture, from “white saviour” action films like The Last Samurai (2003) to ostensibly woke, multicultural films such as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) . In all of these examples, the west is spiritually empty, the east a treasure trove of ancient values.

The problem is that this is the very hallmark of Orientalism – the simplistic, reductive stereotyping of the “mysterious east”. Orientalism is not quite racism, but it’s not a world away either.

Certainly, Morita had to fulfil a certain stereotype. We know this because he auditioned twice for the Mr Miyagi role. The first time, he spoke in his own voice with an American accent. He bombed.

So he returned with a thick Japanese accent and sentence constructions worthy of Charlie Chan , the fictional 1930s film detective long criticised for perpetuating stereotypes of Asian characters. This time, Morita aced it – because he now conformed to what scholar Jane Iwamura calls the “oriental monk” stereotype .

Reboot and sequel

The 2010 remake of The Karate Kid arguably tries to avoid all this, mainly by deconstructing and demystifying Mr Miyagi, transforming him into the broken Mr Han.

Playing Han, Jackie Chan is finally allowed to act for a western audience – to have depth, complexity and feelings. Yet it seems the film-makers lost faith in this approach, soon making Han take his protégé, Dre (Jaden Smith), to China’s Wudang mountains for a heroic dose of Orientalist mysticism.

Perhaps western (and indeed, global) audiences cannot get enough of Orientalism. They seem to devour it with relish. Netflix’s nostalgic Cobra Kai series picks up Daniel and Johnny’s story decades later, but offers a much more tongue-in-cheek take.

In early episodes, we see Daniel, now a father living in a wealthy part of Los Angeles, accused of “cultural appropriation”. He asks his daughter’s Asian-American friend where his parents are “originally” from, to which the reply “Irvine, I guess” turns the interrogation back onto the question of his own values and prejudices.

Ultimately, Cobra Kai reckons with Orientalism by ridiculing it. And there is value in this. But what such easy laughs do not help us work out is what else was (and is) going on. We might want to laugh at the Orientalist themes of the past, but we should also remember: we loved them, and we probably still do.

• Martial arts
• Movie history
• Cinema history
• Give me perspective

Clinical Education Strategy & Risk Project Officer

Senior Research Fellow - Women's Health Services

Lecturer / Senior Lecturer - Marketing

Assistant Editor - 1 year cadetship

Executive Dean, Faculty of Health

The Karate Kid Review

01 Jan 1984

NaN minutes

Karate Kid, The

The first instalment of John G. Avildsen's martial arts franchise is starting to look ever so slightly dated, with its 80s fashions and AOR soundtrack.That said, Ralph Macchio's transformation from high school geek to butt-kicking tough guy, thanks to a little help from Chinese sage Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita) and his homespun Oriental wisdom, is entertaining enough. And while this may be as soppy and predictable as they come, it still reminds you why you used to enjoy '80s teen flicks so much in the first place.

Related Articles

Movies | 07 03 2024

Movies | 24 12 2020

Movies | 22 12 2020

Movies | 09 12 2020

Movies | 12 10 2020

Movies | 04 10 2020

Movies | 22 01 2020

Movies | 18 06 2017

Review: The Karate Kid

Thanks for checking out our The Karate Kid Review

Genre: Action/Drama/Family/Sport Directed by: Harald Swart Staring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson Released: 11 June 2010

THE GENERAL IDEA

12-year-old Dre Parker could’ve been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother’s latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying – and the feeling is mutual – but cultural differences make such a friendship 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, who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

I was surprised by this flick. I enjoyed it a lot. I was a little skeptical when I heard that the original 1984 classic (one of my childhood favorites) was going to get the reboot/remake treatment. After watching it, I can say that I’m at ease; this 2010 version ain’t bad. At the end of the day, the story (the true start of these movies) still hits all the the right notes. The cinematography in this movie is wonderful. We get to see beautiful shots of China; including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. The change of scenery, in this one, actually helps the movie/story. Also, the fighting sequences were great. For once, you could actually tell what was going on shot for shot. No shaky cam, no quick cuts. Chan and Smith were believable administering the Kung Fu.

Jackie Chan was a delight in this film. His Mr. Miyagi-ish role, Mr. Han, is one that is more gentle and serious. We all know he’s fighting skills are insane, but it was refreshing watching Chan get his groove back acting-wise. As for the actual Kid, Jaden Smith doesn’t have a problem being in front of the camera. Like his father, he is charming, likable and already shows hints of cockiness. Little Jaden shows lots of promise.

First off, why didn’t they also change/reboot the title of the film? It might as well been The Kung Fu Kid. There is no Karate in sight. I thought this was funny and a little distracting. Also, I thought the film was too long. The first act dragged a little bit; they should’ve trimmed it.

The fighting sequences were sometimes a little too violent. I didn’t mind this, but I know lots of people will state this; I can understand why. The kids harassing Dre were just too evil. Lol. And their coach was just straight-up mad/evil. I thought this was too exaggerated.

I could’ve done without the whole love story angle. I mean, this time around the Kid as actually a kid. Why try to make him fall in love etc? I didn’t think it was bad – just that I would’ve cut it down a little bit.

And finally, the final hiccup: Dre’s final finishing move. Personally, It was too cartoony/CGI-ish for me – Daniel’s classic kick is way cooler.

Overall, this updated version of the 1984 classic is surprisingly fun and charming. The story keeps being the true star of the film. Chan and Smith do a great job stepping into the shoes of this now classic characters. The movie includes beautiful cinematography. The various shots of China are just breathtaking; this change of scenery, helps inject some new life into the story. The fighting sequences are cool and can be followed pretty clearly. Minor setbacks include: the ironic title (no Karate?), a sluggish first act, and what some could say that various fighting sequences were a tad too evil and violent.

With that said, I definitely would suggest you go see this. If you’ve never seen the original classic, you need to check out the story this time around. Now, if you have seen the original, once you get over the fact that it’s been updated and has some differeces, it might surprise you. This 2010 version worked for me, I enjoyed it.

I give The Karate Kid a 6.7 out of 10

About Francisco

You may like these posts.

Jurassic World: New Movie, New Threats, New Cast!

Descendants: The Rise of Red Trailer Drop

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Debuts New Trailer and Poster

Mutants Welcome: Marvel Studios Assembles the X-Men!

AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA Review: The Reinvention Of Storyteller Imtiaz Ali?

23 thoughts on “ review: the karate kid ”.

i think its a good movie thanxx

I have to admit that I was hesitant to watch the movie because I remember watching the original Karate Kid and felt that they might mess up what I liked before. I watched it with both of my sons and they loved it. But, I also think they would have loved the original movies as well. For some reason though, the 2010 version seemed to move alot faster than the original movie. It’s been a while, but it seems like Daniel went through alot more crap to get to his level of fighting and when he did actually fight, you could tell he was new in the art and winning basically because his opponents had forgotten their basics in fighting. The 2010 version his moves were too polished and we rehearsed to make him look good and not a beginner. I liked the movie but I don’t think it should have been a remake but something totally different.

This movie shows an extremist kungfu master, which in reality not true they can not openly teach there students cruelty, this is against the basic rules of kungfu. But overall this movie was well made.

As a Chinese and one whom has studied KungFu I do feel extremely insulted that the movie is set in CHina and shows him studying KungFu but then calling the film The Karate Kid. There’s nothing Karate about it! Would they make a sequel of KungFu Panda and call it The Boxing Bear? It’s so distracting that I refuse to go see this movie for that reason. In saying this, most of China and HK will probably try to illegally download it or watch the fake DVD version out of spite for Hollywood messing with traditions.

No one is “messing with traditions”

Dre starts out the film self learning Karate to try and defend himself against the bullies who call him “The Karate Kid” and then he learns Kung Fu.

If you watch the film, you would see this is not offending anyone’s traditions.

I’ve not seen this movie yet. I was expecting a bad review… don’t ask me why but people just don’t like remakes usually.

The trailer actually really impressed me so I won’t be going the cinema to see it (might look a bit sad!) but I will definately be watching this when it comes out on DVD.

Good to hear will probally check it out.

I saw this movie this weekend also and I thought it was wonderful.

“The kids harassing Dre were just too evil.” Welcome to China.

Lol. in deed.

A 6.7? I didn’t know the existed!

Yes. I thought It was a better film overall than PoP or The A-Team. Cheers.

This the new, and more accurate, Movie Blog!

How does that make it “more accurate”?

Because you agree with that statement??

Because of the 6.7, usually all reviews were “x.5” or “x.0”

I watched the film this weekend and I thought it was just great! I agree with all the bad points you mentioned about the film except for your issue about his final move in the fight. I thought it was pretty awesome… totally unbelievable… but still pretty awesome. Then again, I was in a packed theater full of pumped up kids. So there was some excitement already in the air.

I was sort of surprised by the “consensus” that Rotten Tomatoes gave this movie, stating that it wasn’t as “powerful as the 1984 edition”. I admit I haven’t seen the original in a while… but I thought that the current remake of the movie was pretty damned powerful. They really had me rooting for the little guy!

I also wanted to mention how impressed I was with Jaden Smith. He’s got a lot of potential and you can tell the kid worked his @$$ off for the movie. His acting style reminded me so much of his father’s, it was like seeing a baby Will Smith up on the screen.

This movie is called The Kung-Fu Kid everywhere else in the world besides USA/Canada. I guess the producers thought nobody would go see it domestically if it didn’t have the same title as the original 1984 film? Oh well another example of ignorance that makes the rest of the world spit on the west. Hmmmph!

Here it was named Karate Kid to market the fact that its a remake. Of course after seeing it no one would contest that, but they left it as Karate Kid.

And he does try to defend himself using Karate in his first fight, and is then taught Kung Fu. So he was that “karate kid” who learned kungfu.

Its a stretch, but its just marketing.

I figured a good thing would be to have Smith keep referring to Kung Fu as Karate pissing off Jackie Chan.

hahaha that would’ve been hilarious

Entertaining movie albeit a remake from the original. Scenes depicted from Beijing including the Great Wall, Shaolin Temple and Forbidden City does help promote China itself. ( i think that’s what the main purpose of this movie is ).

The title is grossly misrepresented, it should be called “Kungfu Kid”. Jacky Chan taught Dre ‘Kungfu’ not karate and he went to a wushu competition not a karate competition. It is an insult to the viewer’s intelligent by thinking that we don’t know the difference -.-“.

However, the main attraction is still Jacky Chan and he’s still an valued actor in kungfu movies.

This film is rated C, not even a B movie. If it wasn’t for Jackie Chen, the movie would fall under the worse ever! I understand Will Smith and his influence in hollywood, but his son Jaden doesn’t have the talent at all and his probably to egghead to even take lessons in drama and acting. Jaden was also annoying and terrible as a child actor in the supporting role in the scy-fi film “The day the Earth stood still.” They should have put a strong female actress in the supporting actress role of mom, but she too is the weakest link. This movie plain sucks, could have got a better choice actors, instead Will Smith was trying to push his son as the protagonist, it doesn’t work that way, he definitely could use alot of drama & acting classes cause he(Jaden) doesn’t have the natural talent or camera magnetism.

You are making an awful lot of assumptions about Jaden to try and make your point. Too egghead to take acting lessons? Says who? He is 12.

Jaden has a LOT of talent for a kid his age. ANY actor can rise or fall based on their abilities or their agent/connections.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Movie review: ‘The Karate Kid’

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

“The Karate Kid” is a kung fu kick of a film that hits more than it misses, with its fresh prince of Beijing in Jaden Smith, its scene-stealing grand master flash, Jackie Chan, and a shiny-happy China travelogue thrown in for good measure, or tax incentives, one of the two.

The grit and the grime of the 1984 original are gone, swept under some Oriental rug no doubt in the spit-shine director Harald Zwart has given every nook and cranny of the production. But the bones of Robert Mark Kamen’s story of a struggling, fatherless boy and the man and martial arts that help him is still very much the heart of the matter — screenwriter Christopher Murphey’s just gone global with it.

Though the new job takes mom, the always sassy Taraji P. Henson, and Dre (Smith) to kung fu central, the producers have kept the “Karate” name and thrown in some bad dialogue to explain it. For the record, and for all the parents left to search for classes the kids will probably clamor for, the highly choreographed fighting style used here is wushu , a kind of power kung fu that frankly looks pretty brutal, so be prepared for the kids to give and take a lot of punches.

Giving the movie even more currency today is its key dilemma of how to deal with the school bully. While cyber-bullying has become all the rage, for most kids reality is that bigger boy with a bad attitude who pushes and pummels them on the playground. For Dre, it’s Cheng (Zhenwei Wang), who doesn’t like the new American interloper or his interest in pretty violin prodigy Mei Ying (Wenwen Han).

A few losing rounds with the Cheng gang sends Dre on his journey to find himself, honor and an enemy-crushing kick, with help from Chan’s Mr. Han and plenty of nods to the original that fans will recognize along the way.

The critical piece of this Chinese puzzle is Mr. Han, the maintenance man at Dre’s apartment house and a secret kung fu master. It’s a wonderfully nuanced performance with Chan hiding the pain of old wounds in the dark recesses of his eyes, moving with an old warrior’s limp that would make House envious. Though he masters and mines Mr. Han’s interior, there is great fun in his face-off with the young toughs who are after Dre, which channels the battle magic that has made him a martial arts movie legend.

Meanwhile, Smith is a chip off the old charismatic block of daddy Will (he and mom Jada are producers on the film). The 11-year-old has a few credits under his black belt, most prominently playing his father’s son in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” but “Karate Kid” is his first starring role and the film hangs largely on his slight shoulders. Smith is surprisingly at ease with the more emotional notes — real tears after Cheng’s well-aimed blows to both his body and his ego. He trained for months with Wu Gang, the stunt coordinator for Chan’s martial arts team as well, and that athleticism is much on display.

As is kung fu itself, from the school where kids stand hundreds strong in their red gis, ready to take the day, to the final showdown between Dre and Cheng in front of a roaring crowd, a complex series of scenes that Chan’s team stepped in to choreograph. The endgame — whether you kung fu for peace or to destroy — is once again on trial along with Dre. But first Dre must learn to be a patient grasshopper, picking up his jacket off the floor about a million times, which turns out to be the foundation for some of those nifty moves Mr. Han has up his sleeve.

Speaking of patience, sitting through “The Karate Kid,” at well over 2 hours, requires more than some of its target audience will have, to say nothing of their minders, who may consider revolt when everyone heads to the Qi Xi Festival, one of several unnecessary side trips. The pacing is problematic, swinging between the blinding speed and bruising reality of the fights and a meandering sightseeing tour of China that takes Dre and Mr. Han from training on The Great Wall to the Forbidden City to a mountain retreat. Director of photography Roger Pratt, with a couple of Harry Potters on his long resume, captures the vast landscape and the historic landmarks of the country, and the intimate, sweat-pouring intensity of the fights, though it’s sometimes jarring as we move between them.

For director Zwart, whose last outing was the depressingly bad “Pink Panther 2,” it’s a step up. The filmmaker has a good eye for action, but he remains too tentative with both the story and his actors, particularly the kids, and the movie gets away from him at times. Thankfully Chan is usually there to save the day, with Smith, a worthy student, right beside him.

[email protected]

More to Read

Someone asked Jennifer Lopez about those Ben Affleck divorce rumors. It got awkward fast

The 15 movies you need to see this summer

May 17, 2024

Dabney Coleman, the bad boss of ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Yellowstone’ guest star, dies at 92

Only good movies

Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Former Los Angeles Times film critic Betsy Sharkey is an award-winning entertainment journalist and bestselling author. She left the newsroom in 2015. In addition to her critical essays and reviews of about 200 films a year for The Times, Sharkey’s weekly movie reviews appeared in newspapers nationally and internationally. Her books include collaborations with Oscar-winning actresses Faye Dunaway on “Looking for Gatsby” and Marlee Matlin on “I’ll Scream Later.” Sharkey holds a degree in journalism and a master’s in communications theory from Texas Christian University.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Women and people of color drive ratings for streaming films, UCLA diversity report finds

May 23, 2024

Commentary: The kids are all right. It’s the adults who are trouble

May 22, 2024

Entertainment & Arts

Nina Dobrev hospitalized after e-bike accident; says a ‘long road of recovery’ awaits

May 21, 2024

Fred Roos, ‘Godfather Part II’ producer and longtime Coppola collaborator, dies at 89

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Link to Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
• Hit Man Link to Hit Man
• Babes Link to Babes

New TV Tonight

• Evil: Season 4
• Stax: Soulsville, U.S.A.: Season 1
• Trying: Season 4
• Tires: Season 1
• Fairly OddParents: A New Wish: Season 1
• Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza: Season 1
• Jurassic World: Chaos Theory: Season 1
• Mulligan: Season 2
• The 1% Club: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• Dark Matter: Season 1
• Outer Range: Season 2
• X-Men '97: Season 1
• Bridgerton: Season 3
• Bodkin: Season 1
• Fallout: Season 1
• The 8 Show: Season 1
• Baby Reindeer: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Bridgerton: Season 3 Link to Bridgerton: Season 3
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Cannes Film Festival 2024: Movie Scorecard

Best Horror Movies of 2024 Ranked – New Scary Movies to Watch

Asian-American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Vote For the Best Movie of 1999 – Round 1

‘Seen on the Screen’ Podcast: A Celebration of Universal Stories 

• Trending on RT
• Furiosa First Reviews
• Most Anticipated 2025 Movies
• Cannes Film Festival Preview
• TV Premiere Dates

The Karate Kid Reviews

The 2010 Karate Kid isn’t by any means as memorable and generation-defining as the original 1984 movie, but, in a world full of failed remakes, it sure is a pleasant surprise.

Full Review | Jan 29, 2024

Inflated and unnecessary at nearly two-and-a-half hours, The Karate Kid offers nothing but indifference for those familiar with the original, and little emotional rewards for audiences new to the material.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Aug 18, 2023

This Karate Kid does not surpass the original, but it is superior to those sequels. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Jul 20, 2022

Everyone loves a good underdog story.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 12, 2022

Keeping comparisons to a minimum, this is a competent and enjoyable film in its own right, the essence of the original being the cultivation of a father/son relationship and the moral platitudes of respect and mercy holding fast in the remake.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 19, 2021

Essentially, the plot remains the same.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Nov 29, 2020

Chan shines like he's never shined before.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 13, 2020

The ingenuity of The Karate Kid lies in the casting.

Full Review | Jul 23, 2019

Both actors hooked me into this remake, managing to make me feel both nostalgic and surprised at the same time. This isn't just one of the better remakes in recent memory, it's one of the stronger big-summer releases so far.

Full Review | Original Score: B | May 9, 2019

Smith Jr looks thoroughly bored by Mom and Pop's extravagant gift. I can't say I blame him.

Full Review | Feb 6, 2018

A cliched and predictable script mixed with the miscasting of Jaden Smith make The Karate Kid a pretty dull film. Stick with the original.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/10 | Nov 9, 2013

This remake is fun, lighthearted and enormously entertaining. A great family film.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 25, 2012

The screenplay gives Dre way too many dumb things to say while needlessly stretching out the entire story into a film that runs overly-long at 132 minutes.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 1, 2012

At two hours plus the film is much too long (do we really need that many montages of seeing Smith train?), but it just manages to provide enough watchable entertainment to keep less demanding members of the audience happy.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 13, 2011

The story worked in 1984 and it works now.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Aug 26, 2011

The Karate Kid is an excellent coming-of-age sports film filled with heart and humor that doesn't test your gag reflex. Even if you love the original the new version is a worthy follow up, both comfortable and fresh, and that isn't easy to do.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Mar 29, 2011

Zwart's adaptation pretty much fails across the board.

Full Review | Original Score: 31/100 | Jan 27, 2011

'The Karate Kid' overcame the remake curse.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Jan 3, 2011

Exploits a well known name in order to push an overwrought kids film that will not impress anyone over the age of twelve.

Full Review | Dec 30, 2010

The Karate Kid 2010 is a thoughtful and professionally executed remake, retaining everything that really mattered about the original -- specifically the sincere relationship between the young protégé and his mentor.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 21, 2010

Find Family Movies, Movie Ratings and Movie Reviews

The Karate Kid Parent Guide

This film presents a feel-good underdog story that demonstrates the value of hard work, the tenacity of the human spirit and the mutual benefits found in friendships between the young and old..

New Jersey native Daniel (Ralph Macchio) has trouble fitting when he moves to California. As bullying problems escalate, the teen turns to an unlikely friend, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), who mentors him in martial arts for self-defense.

Release date June 22, 1984

Run Time: 127 minutes

Get Content Details

The guide to our grades, parent movie review by donna gustafson.

With dreams of a better future, Lucille Larusso (Randee Heller) moves her son Daniel (Ralph Macchio) from cold New Jersey to the sunny state of California. But what she sees as paradise quickly turns into hell for the transplanted teenager as he tries to put down roots in the foreign environment.

The biggest challenge is his peers. First introductions seem to go okay until Daniel catches the eye of a pretty blonde named Ali (Elisabeth Shue). Unfortunately she comes with strings attached to a jealous ex-boyfriend. When Johnny (William Zabka) sees them together, he and his motorcycle buddies tangle with the stranger, beating the boy until he is bruised and black eyed.

Daniel’s worst fears are realized one night when an angry Johnny and his aggressive gang corner him and start hitting, punching and kicking until the youth is barely conscious. Then a miracle happens. The elderly Japanese maintenance man from Daniel’s apartment complex suddenly appears and within minutes subdues the assailants. Realizing Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita) has some serious martial arts skills, the teen asks for lessons so he can stop being a punching bag.

It takes some lengthy persuasion to get the quiet gentleman to consent to his request, mostly because he wants to make sure Daniel understands karate is not about fighting and vengeance, but about self-defense and earning respect. Taking the problem back to the karate school, Mr. Miyagi arranges to have Daniel challenge Kreese’s students at an upcoming tournament and has them agree to a truce until the competition. In the meantime the master promises to train the boy.

The Karate Kid debuted in 1984 and quickly became a classic in its genre. Still, parents should be aware that despite pacifist professions, the movie spends a lot of time portraying martial arts violence and battles where bullying turns into assault. (A little blood and a few injuries are shown). Other content concerns include depictions of a minor drinking, a teen rolling a joint, and several uses of mild and moderate profanities.

Fortunately the film also presents a feel-good underdog story that demonstrates the value of hard work, the tenacity of the human spirit and the mutual benefits found in friendships between the young and old.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Watch the trailer for the karate kid.

The Karate Kid Rating & Content Info

Why is The Karate Kid rated PG? The Karate Kid is rated PG by the MPAA

Martial arts violence pervades this film about a picked on boy who learns karate for self-defense. Altercations include hand-to-hand combat, kicks and punches. Along with verbal taunting, the bullying turns into assault when the victim is outnumbered and beaten into unconsciousness. The scraps eventually move into a showdown at a karate tournament where an aggressive teacher encourages his students to use illegal means to take out their opponents. Black eyes, bloody noses, scrapes, bruises and an injured leg are shown. Frequent mild and moderate profanities are used, along with terms of deity. An adult character smokes, while an adolescent only pretends to. A teen is shown rolling a joint. A role model character consumes alcohol to the point of drunkenness and persuades a minor to drink too. An unlicensed youth drives a car, with an adult’s consent. Teen girls are shown dressed in swimwear, and males are seen with bare chests. A teen couple holds hands and kisses.

Page last updated April 25, 2020

The Karate Kid Parents' Guide

Mr. Miyagi agrees to teach Daniel karate, but instead has him doing household chores. How does the elderly man respond when the boy questions his methods? What skills and character traits does Daniel learn because of his labor?

Kreese has his students recite: "Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy." How does this statement of philosophy differ from Mr. Miyagi’s view of karate? Still, both of these teachers gain the loyalty of their pupils. Why? What motivates the obedience in each group?

According to the movie, Daniel leaves New Jersey in September, has his major altercation with Johnny on Halloween night (October 31) and then competes in the karate tournament in December. Is this a realistic timeline for someone to develop the level of martial arts skill depicted in this film?

The bullying Daniel endures is very serious. How should such abuse really be handled? Do you think it is realistic to assume the aggression will stop if the boys take their grievances into a competition environment? Ignoring what the script suggests, what would likely happen to Daniel if he won such a tournament? What would happen if he lost?

Loved this movie? Try these books…

Remade as a picture book for all ages, "The Karate Kid: The Classic Illustrated Story Book" brings Daniel's story to a younger audience.

Related home video titles:

The Karate Kid was followed by a sequel in 1986 titled The Karate Kid 2 . A remake of The Karate Kid releases in 2010. Other martial arts underdog films include Kung Fu Panda , Mulan and The Forbidden Kingdom .

Related news about The Karate Kid

Nine Movies and Their Remakes that are Worth a Second Look

{parents:pull_quote}

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

• DVD & Streaming

The Karate Kid

• Action/Adventure , Drama

Content Caution

In Theaters

• June 11, 2010
• Jaden Smith as Dre Parker; Jackie Chan as Mr. Han; Taraji P. Henson as Sherry Parker; Wenwen Han as Meiying; Zhenwei Wang as Cheng; Rongguang Yu as Master Li; Luke Carberry as Harry

Home Release Date

• October 5, 2010
• Harald Zwart

Distributor

• Columbia Pictures

Movie Review

Twelve-year-old Dre Parker and his mother, Sherry, are the newest residents at the swank-sounding Beverly Hills Luxury Apartments. But this abode is anything but swank. And they’re a long way from California. The mother-and-son duo now calls Beijing, China, home, after Mom’s automobile-manufacturing job gets transferred there.

For Sherry, it’s an exotic new start. For Dre? Well, the pintsized African-American expat has a different perspective. “I hate it here!” he soon screams at his mother.

Things had begun with promise for Dre. A new friend named Harry seemed eager to show him the ropes. And an intriguing young violin player—who speaks English!—had caught his eye. Maybe China wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Or maybe it would.

Dre’s chemistry with Meiying instantly attracts the unwanted attention of a young thug named Cheng. No problem , the headstrong Detroit native thinks. I’ll show him who’s boss.

Dre does find out who’s boss—at just about the same time he finds out what asphalt tastes like.

Enter Mr. Han, an aloof-but-kind maintenance man who takes notice of Dre’s trials … and who bails him out of a lopsided, six-on-one beatdown. With Han’s help, Dre negotiates a truce with Cheng’s kung fu teacher, Master Li. There’s only one condition: Dre must face his tormentor in an upcoming kung fu tournament. (Yes, it’s kung fu , not karate in this Karate Kid remake.)

And so Dre’s training commences.

Positive Elements

Dre’s mother is conscientious, and she wants the best for him. She tries to understand why being in China is hard for him, even if Dre isn’t always interested in talking.

But Dre’s relationship with Mr. Han, of course, is the movie’s emotional focal point. The older man is a recluse—until he takes Dre under his wing. Stepping into those mentor shoes brings new life to Mr. Han. Near the finale, he tells his protégé, “You have taught me a very important lesson, Dre. Life will knock us down, but we can choose whether or not to get back up.” Dre responds, “You’re the best friend I ever had, Mr. Han.”

Some of Mr. Han’s teachings about kung fu involve spiritual elements (noted in more detail below). But Dre’s teacher also sees the marital art as a philosophical framework for a certain way of living:

Because Dre often fails to hang up his coat, Mr. Han initiates a training exercise for him that involves the boy dropping his coat, picking it up, hanging it up, then repeating the process. Those movements, of course, become a template for defensive maneuvers in a fight. But in explaining his training rationale to Dre, Mr. Han says, “Kung fu lives in everything we do. It lives in how we treat people. Everything is kung fu.” Mr. Han also teaches his pupil to see that “kung fu is not about fighting. It’s about making peace with your enemies.” We also hear Mr. Han’s belief that “there are no bad students, only bad teachers.”

Regarding Dre’s conflict with Cheng, Mr. Han believes that standing up to him is what matters, not victory. “Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. Fight hard, earn respect, boys leave you alone.”

Dre and Meiying’s relationship is complicated by cultural divides. Meiying’s parents forbid her to see Dre after he accidentally embarrasses their family, for example. But Dre takes the initiative to apologize to her father for offending him. Meiying’s father softens and allows his daughter to keep her promise to go to the tournament.

Spiritual Elements

Mr. Han teaches Dre that kung fu depends upon tapping into the concept of chi , which he calls “eternal energy and the essence of life.” He says that chi “moves inside of us … inside our bodies” and “gives us power from within.” Dre translates: “I get it! It’s like the Force from Star Wars .” Some of Mr. Han’s teaching also includes telling Dre to “empty your mind” to connect with these internal energies.

Mr. Han leads Dre up a mountainside staircase to a place he calls the dragon well. There, we see a water basin bearing the yin and yang symbol. Mr. Han calls the basin’s contents “magic kung fu water,” and he says that after you drink it, “nothing can defeat you.” The well is located in a temple of sorts, where people practice martial arts. One woman stares down a cobra while balancing on an ornate stone outcropping.

Twice, Mr. Han sets what looks like a cotton ball on fire, then uses this “magical” fire in some mysterious way to heal Dre of injuries he’s received. He calls it “ancient Chinese healing.”

Sexual Content

At a festival that celebrates love (Mr. Han calls it the Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day), Dre and Meiying lean in for a kiss in the middle of a puppet show about a lovelorn goddess who’s separated from her lover.

On a date, Dre and Meiying play a dance video game that blares portions of two songs with sexual lyrics: Flo Rida’s “Low” (which is about strippers sliding down a pole) and Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” (which merges gambling metaphors with sexual suggestiveness). Meiying, who looks as if she’s barely entered adolescence, does a suggestive dance to the later song, complete with sexualized hip movements and seductive facial expressions.

Violent Content

In Dre’s first showdown with Cheng, he lands one punch … which, of course, sets Cheng off. Dre then absorbs about 10 punches and kicks before being flipped hard onto the ground. Later, Dre unwisely picks another fight with Cheng by throwing a jug of water on him. As Dre flees, he makes a mess of a marketplace. Cheng and his posse catch Dre, and they administers five or six severe blows with fists and feet. Mr. Han arrives to save the day, initiating a lengthy kung fu battle in which he mostly tricks his assailants into repeatedly hitting one another.

Several matches in the kung fu championship are surprisingly savage, with opponents trading nasty blows. Dre gets pretty beaten up en route to the final match with Cheng. And in the semifinal, Master Li instructs one of Cheng’s lackeys to take Dre out by hurting him. “I don’t want him beaten,” Li says. “I want him broken.” The student obliges by delivering wince-inducing strikes to Dre’s knee.

[ Spoiler Warning ] But Dre perseveres and meets Cheng in the final. A heavy hit early in the match forces Dre off the raised combat platform. When things go badly for Cheng, Li instructs him, “I want you to break the leg. No mercy.” The resulting kicks to Dre’s wounded leg send him tumbling—in agony—to the ground. Then, using the “cobra technique” he’s been practicing, Dre delivers a backflip kick to Cheng’s head to win.

Elsewhere, Cheng flips Dre’s food tray up in the air at school in an attempt to provoke a fight; later he and his lieutenants menacingly empty Dre’s backpack. Master Li wickedly slaps a timid student who refuses to finish off an opponent. Li’s philosophy: “No mercy. … Our enemies deserve pain.”

In an intense scene, Mr. Han takes a sledgehammer to the Volkswagen Scirocco he’s been restoring. Every year, it seems, Mr. Han restores the car (in which his wife and 10-year-old son were killed), then mangles it again in a violent explosion of unresolved grief.

Crude or Profane Language

One use of “d‑‑mit.” Twice, Dre complains about not wanting to get his “a‑‑” kicked, after which Mr. Han tells him, “Don’t say a‑‑.” Later, Dre says the word again, then remembers he’s been told not to. God’s name is improperly interjected two or three times.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Han gets drunk on the anniversary of his wife’s and son’s deaths. The camera gives us a close-up of an empty liquor bottle.

Other Negative Elements

Dre ignores a text message from his mother to come home, and he often displays a bit of a resistant attitude when it comes to obeying her.

For anyone who grew up in the ’80s, the thought of remaking a film that introduced an appreciative generation to the catchphrase “wax on, wax off” seems risky at best. Why tamper with something that’s so iconic to so many? The cynical answer, of course, is that Hollywood seems short on good stories. But that’s exactly the point: This is a pretty good story, and Columbia Pictures knows it. That’s why it’s back, 26 years later.

As far as how the new film stands up against the 1984 version, my rose-colored view of the original renders me incapable of providing a completely unbiased answer. But I can say that the narrative trajectory and the moral messages are similar, remaining solid and inspirational. The emphatic emphasis on perseverance, friendship, discipline and mentoring is still impossible to miss.

The biggest difference between the two films, apart from the shift in setting from California to China, has to do with the age of the characters. Whereas Daniel LaRusso was a senior in high school (as were his girlfriend, Ali, and his blond-haired arch nemesis, Johnny Lawrence), Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker is supposed to be 12—though he looks like he could be as young as 9 or 10. Instead of adolescents on the verge of adulthood, then, we see children on the verge of adolescence. That changes the feel of things, even if the feelings the film eventually elicits are similar.

Before writing this review I watched the original again—mainly to try to give new perspective to my emotional reference points. And I suspect most parents will think the new version feels more family friendly, largely because there’s less profanity and no drug abuse. (The original had a couple of s-words and uses of “g‑‑d‑‑n.” It also included a scene in which Johnny rolls a joint in a school bathroom stall.)

That said, this new Karate Kid’ s kung fu scenes are in fact amped up. And the same can be said of the story’s spiritual content, which is both more specific and more frequent. In 1984, Mr. Miyagi made one joking reference to Buddha. In 2010, Mr. Han waxes eloquent about chi and dabbles in some very mystical-feeling rituals. And then there’s Meiying’s maddeningly unnecessary sensual dance scene—easily the most disappointing moment of the film for me because of the way it projects grown-up sexuality onto a character who’s still mostly a little girl.

A postscript: The Karate Kid deals with the issue of bullying, a subject that’s been in the news a lot lately. For generations, the conventional wisdom has been this: Stand up to a bully, and he’ll learn to leave you alone. That’s the message in the original film, and that’s the message this time around. In today’s world, though, standing up to bullies may be riskier than it used to be. Most might indeed back down, just as the films suggest. But, sadly, an increasing number of teens or even tweens might be just as likely to bring a gun to school and shoot someone who stands up to them. Whether the so-called conventional wisdom still applies, then, should be carefully dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Adam R. Holz

After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.

Latest Reviews

The Garfield Movie

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp

Weekly reviews straight to your inbox.

Screen Rant

The karate kid 2024’s ben wang plays a real-life surgeon-to-be in sight clip.

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

New Denzel Washington Movie Breaks An 18-Year Drought After $185 Million Hit

All of florence pugh’s outfits in dune 2, ranked, lord of the rings art recasts the movies with modern stars (including jason statham as a buff gollum).

• Screen Rant presents a clip from Sight, which hits theaters on May 24.
• Sight explores Dr. Ming Wang's life through multiple timelines, with Terry Chen and Ben Wang portraying his journey.
• Ben Wang, an emerging actor, plays a significant role in Sight, offering a unique perspective on Dr. Ming Wang's remarkable life.

Sight is a new movie from Angel Studios that centers on the real-life journey of one of the world’s most groundbreaking eye surgeons. Dr. Ming Wang was born in China, grew up during the seismic changes of the Cultural Revolution, and made his way to the United States only to change the lives of countless blind children around the world. Dr. Wang’s story was brought to the screen by director Andrew Hyatt, who co-wrote the movie’s script with John Duigan and Buzz McLaughlin.

Screen Rant is excited to debut a clip from Sight which sees a young Ming Wang’s work pay off. The clip features Ben Wang as Ming Wang and Ken Godmere as Professor McNesby, as Ming receives test results he’s scared to be the first to see. Ben Wang is an exciting up-and-coming actor who played a large role in American Born Chinese and will be the lead in Karate Kid 2024 . Take a look at the clip and see Sight when it opens in theaters on May 24.

How Sight Juggles Multiple Timelines

Although the clip above showcases Ben Wang’s performance in Sight, he’s not the only actor to play the subject of the film. Sight jumps between timelines in its exploration of Dr. Ming Wang’s life in a unique structure that makes it more than a straightforward biopic . The adult Dr. Wang is played by Terry Chen, who is known for past work on projects including The Expanse and Jessica Jones .

Sight ’s structure allows both Chen and Ben Wang to be constant presences in the story of Dr. Wang, even as each actor serves a very different story. When Screen Rant interviewed the real Dr. Ming Wang , the surgeon reflected on the emotional nature of seeing his past life unfold once again in front of his eyes. This is the job that Ben Wang takes on in Sight , covering a large swath of Dr. Wang’s life in portraying the doctor’s childhood in China and his first steps toward his ultimate calling in the United States.

The story of the adult Dr. Wang unfolds differently. Chen’s portrayal of Wang largely centers around his attempt to help Kajal, a blind orphan from India. This side of the story, which also features Sight star Greg Kinnear as Dr. Misha Bartnovsky, is much more focused on a singular goal in Wang’s life. Through following the adult Wang, viewers will watch as the doctor goes from being a practicing surgeon to a life-changing innovator in his field.

Sight will be released in theaters on May 24.

'The Garfield Movie' Review: Chris Pratt's Cartoon Cat Coughs up a Hairball

This movie is worse than a Monday.

The Big Picture

• It feels less and less like a Garfield movie as the scenes pass.
• Chris Pratt doesn’t do much voice acting. Garfield is just ... Chris Pratt?
• Even for a kids-only movie that’s not shooting for Pixar-level quality, it isn't very pleasant.

Some animated children’s movies are fun for the whole family— The Garfield Movie is not one of them . The Emperor’s New Groove director Mark Dindal tries to spin Jim Davis ’ world-famous orange tabby cat into a Looney Tunes knockoff, trading dry-and-droll trademarks for a lighter sense of humor. Writers Paul A. Kaplan , Mark Torgove , and David Reynolds cobble together an origin story that plays like a thousand made-for-kids tales prior, lacking that Pixar ingenuity that transcends age demographics. As a result, the film is a dreadfully unfunny take on Garfield’s signature sauce-slathered antics. The Garfield Movie is silly to a fault, feels seventeen hours long, and lacks any pulse of life.

The Garfield Movie

Garfield is about to go on a wild outdoor adventure. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father - the cat Vic - Garfield and Odie are forced to abandon their pampered life to join Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.

Chris Pratt steps into his second major voice acting role for an established character, but alters nothing about his delivery to become Garfield . Bill Murray at least sounds like a lazy housecat whose sole purpose is hating Mondays and eating lasagna (in Garfield: The Movie and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties ). Pratt is distractingly Pratt, which kills momentum as early as the opening monologue, where Garfield speaks directly to the audience without tingles of energy. Say what you will about Pratt’s Mario voice, but at least he embraced a few tweaks to become an Italian plumber. Pratt’s Garfield is just Pratt reading words off a page, which can be as exciting as listening to Pratt read a pizzeria’s Uber Eats menu.

What Is 'The Garfield Movie' About?

We meet Garfield as a scared and abandoned kitten , drawn to Jon Arbuckle (voiced by Nicholas Hoult ) by the scent of a freshly baked pizza (why it’s not lasagna isn’t worth pondering). Garfield’s cozy domesticated life with Jon is recreated on-screen through a series of comic panels turned flashed images, staying consistent with canon. That’s until Garfield and Odie (barks provided by Harvey Guillén ) are kidnapped by a jewelry-wearing Persian cat known as Jinx (voiced by Hannah Waddingham ) and reunited with Garfield’s biological father, Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson ). It turns out Vic got Jinx thrown in the pound, and she wants vengeance in the form of stolen milk from heavy-guarded dairy provider Lactose Farms. Garfield, Odie, and Vic must pull off Jinx’s heist or face Jinx’s claws-out wrath.

The Garfield Movie ditches Davis' deadpan approach and Garfield’s lethargic personality for conventional heist movie tropes jammed through a kiddie-friendly lens. Garfield’s treated like a Bugs Bunny type (perhaps more Daffy Duck ), getting launched by trees made of rubber or munching on industrial-sized mountains of cheddar in the dairy farm’s processing facility. It hardly feels like a Garfield movie, more a boardroom-voted combination of familiar beats and repetitive storytelling refitted for the umpteenth time. Children won’t mind; they’re here for the pretty colors and silly kitty doing people things, but adults are in for an uncomfortably numbing experience.

The Garfield Movie builds around Garfield and Vic’s repaired relationship, which is the impetus for everything, yet their rekindled bond isn’t worth watery eyes. Voice performances are hardly fine-tuned beyond Pratt’s sonically stale interpretation of Garfield; there’s no movie magic present . Animated characters aren’t fleshed out beyond their pixelation, and most voice performers struggle to transform into the roles they’re playing. It sounds like Samuel L. Jackson, not Vic. Or Hannah Waddingham, not Jinx. Snoop Dogg playing “Snoop Cat” is a cheesy bit, but even his voice can’t fully cash in on the vocal gag. Dindal’s voice actor directing seems out of calibration, which sinks the entire production.

The Animation in 'The Garfield Movie' Is Nothing Special

Sony’s animation department replicates cartoony design styles in releases like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs or Open Season , while also leaning into the comic-drawn nature of Davis’ newspaper frames. It’s slick enough, but also nothing outstandingly spectacular . Sony titles like The Mitchells vs. The Machines or Spider-Verse movies are visual feasts, whereas The Garfield Movie never truly dazzles. The attempt to recreate hand-drawn sketches in a three-dimensional world looks chunky, blocky at times, and perspectively flat. It’s just one more element that feels underserved in a movie that continually and frustratingly underachieves.

Are there cute moments? A handful. How can you not love an adorable fuzzball kitten finding his family or Odie saving Garfield with a novelty-sized string cheese lasso? Nevertheless, the film otherwise buries what works underneath a “kid’s movie” dusted with grated parmesan. Everything appears wonky and insincere . Dialogue lands without any reaction from the audience, laughs are nearly non-existent, and editing feels robotically mechanical—it’s such a shame. The Garfield Movie is a soulless husk of a reboot that doesn’t do anything remarkable except for maybe Odie’s shenanigans (Odie remains innocent).

The Garfield Movie is sloppy like a plate of lasagna made by an Italian imposter, lacking the flavor and layered deliciousness that makes the dish worthwhile.

• Odie is a good boy.
• There are a scant amount of jokes that do work.
• The animators sure do sell the hell out of Italian dishes.
• The voice cast all have their struggles with Chris Pratt just being himself.
• There?s a flatness to the imagery.
• It?s a slog of an experience that will have adult chaperones glancing at their watches five minutes in.

The Garfield Movie is in theaters in the U.S. starting May 24. Click below for showtimes near you.

GET TICKETS

New Karate Kid Movie Logo Unveiled at Licensing Expo

• The new Karate Kid film gets a fresh logo at Licensing Expo ahead of its theatrical debut next year on May 30, 2025.
• Get ready for the much-anticipated new Karate Kid movie with a star-studded cast including Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan.
• The Miyagiverse will continue to expand with the final season of Cobra Kai , coming to Netflix this summer.

There may be over a year left until the new Karate Kid movie hits theaters, but the sun is already beginning to rise on the much-anticipated continuation from Sony. Although we're still awaiting a first look at Ben Wang taking up the titular mantle as the next fledgling karate master, a new logo was unveiled at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas teasing the next generation of fighters. Collider's Perri Nemiroff is on the ground at the event and was able to snap a picture of the full logo, which depicts the sun rising behind the silhouette of a city while the bright white title sticks out against its burning yellow-orange glow.

The new Karate Kid movie will follow a similar formula to the previous films in the franchise, with the American Born Chinese star Wang playing an East Coast Chinese teenager who finds purpose and valuable lessons through martial arts. It'll also serve as a major connecting point for the entire franchise. Franchise veteran Ralph Macchio will once again reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso , entering the film shortly after finishing his run on Cobra Kai as the original Karate Kid all grown up, while Jackie Chan will also return as Mr. Han from the 2010 reboot film starring Jaden Smith . Much of the film's plot is still being kept under wraps, though with the film now releasing after Cobra Kai wraps its sixth and final season , it's unclear if there will be any crossover between the mainline Miyagiverse project and the spin-off series.

The End of the F***ing World 's Jonathan Entwistle is behind the camera for the new Karate Kid with Peter Rabbit 's Rob Lieber penning the screenplay. Since the film's announcement , a bevy of stars have slowly flocked to the dojo for the occasion. The main trio of Wang, Macchio, and Chan will be joined by Cruel Summer 's Sadie Stanley as the romantic lead , with Joshua Jackson , Ming Na-Wen , Aramis Knight , and Wyatt Oleff also on board.

The Miyagiverse Will Continue to Expand With 'Cobra Kai' Season 6

While fans wait to learn more about Wang's martial arts adventure, they can expect big things beginning on the small screen this summer with Cobra Kai 's final season. Co-creator Jon Hurwitz has previously teased that Season 6 will take viewers to " so many new places in the Miyagiverse ," as Miyagi-Do prepares for the Sekai Taikai, aka the world championships of karate. Everything in the series has built up to this final climactic showdown where the students will demonstrate their skills on the biggest stage possible, but it won't all be smooth sailing as John Kreese ( Martin Kove ) brings his "no mercy" style back to the fray. If Hurwitz's co-showrunners Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald are to be believed, the finale could also pave the way for more spin-offs in the future that bring new life to the Karate Kid franchise.

The new Karate Kid film hits theaters on May 30, 2025. Get a look at the official logo from Licensing Expo above and stay tuned here at Collider for more on the franchise's long-awaited return to the big screen.

Check Out More From the Licensing Expo

• 'Aang: The Last Airbender' Brings the Four Nations Together at Licensing Expo
• First Street Fighter Movie Promo Poster Unveiled at Licensing Expo [Exclusive]
• New 'Paddington In Peru' Promo Images Take a Trip to Licensing Expo
• Superman Brings the Fortress of Solitude to Licensing Expo

\n "">

Thirty-four years after events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, a down-and-out Johnny Lawrence seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with a now successful Daniel LaRusso.

Release Date May 2, 2018

Creator Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg

Cast Vanessa Rubio, Marty Cove, Mary Matilyn Mouser, Courtney Henggeler, Peyton List, Jacob Bertrand, William Zabka, Ralph Macchio

Main Genre Comedy

Genres Comedy, Action, webseries

Watch on Netflix

• Cast & crew

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Plot under wraps Plot under wraps Plot under wraps

• Jeff Fowler
• Josh Miller
• John Whittington
• Ben Schwartz
• Colleen O'Shaughnessey

• Maddie Wachowski

• Commander Walters

• Tom Wachowski

• Dr. Robotnik

• Agent Stone

• Captain Rockwell

• Party Guest

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia The film makers of the prior movies have mentioned playing both "Sonic Adventure 2" and the "Shadow The Hedgehog" solo game for inspiration. The film also has elements from the 1993 television series "The Adventures Of Sonic the Hedgehog" like Scratch and Grounder.
• Connections Follows Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
• When will Sonic the Hedgehog 3 be released? Powered by Alexa
• December 20, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Nhím Sonic 3
• London, England, UK
• Paramount Pictures
• Sega Sammy Group
• Original Film
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Dolby Digital
• Dolby Atmos
• Dolby Surround 7.1
• 12-Track Digital Sound
• D-Cinema 96kHz 7.1

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed