'The Karate Kid' - News, Features & Interviews - Movie Reviews - Sequel News - The Karate Kid Trailer

The Karate Kid

Release Date 28 Jul 2010 28 Dec 2010

User rating
Currently 3/5 Stars.

Critic rating
Currently 2/5 Stars.

79% of raters want to see this movie

Certificate: PG

Genre:

Twelve-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, and kung fu prodigy, Cheng. 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.

Cast:
Jackie Chan | Jaden Smith | Taraji P. Henson

Writers:
Michael Soccio

Producers:
James Lassiter | Jada Pinkett Smith | Will Smith | Ken Stovitz | Jerry Weintraub

Directors:
Harald Zwart

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Critic rating
Currently 2/5 Stars.

Movies.ie Critic Review

Will Smith's precocious little tyke Jaden plays the put-upon Dre Parker who, after moving with his mother from Detroit to China, soon finds the language isn't his only battle - a local bully quickly inspires some serious kick-ass training. The bully's ass being the main target for the kicks, of course. Luckily for Dre, he's found an unlikely mentor in quiet maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan).

THE VERDICT: The reviews have been surprisingly positive, given that it's a remake of a much-loved, kitschy 1984 hit, and it's led by the offspring of a soul-crushing Hollywood dynasty (Jaden's mum is Jada Pinkett Smith, who's like a black Sarah Jessica Parker, only without the hit franchise), but this particular Rocky-for-runts is over two hours long. Which makes no sense. And Smith is just too cool from the outset. You know he's going to win the day. That Ralph Macchio kid in the original – now, that little tyke (last seen popping up in Ugly Betty and Law & Order) looked like a genuine loser.

Review By Paul Byrne

Avg User rating
Currently 3/5 Stars.

User Reviews

- Currently 3/5 Stars.
adoreabubbles

I enjoyed it, i can say i have seen it but it didn't provide any sort of excitment for me.
- Currently 2/5 Stars.
Ellegibbons

Wash on wash OFF - me thinks ha ha
- Currently 3/5 Stars.
razorblade_kiss
- Currently 4/5 Stars.
dainiux

Nice to remember the old school movie!
- Currently 4/5 Stars.
TheAngelicDiablo

Yes, Its Kung-Fu instead of Karate. Yes, Its Mr. Hun instead of Mr. Mayagi and Yes, I could essentially be called anything else but the spirit (or chi) remains the same as the original series. Very enjoyable.
- Currently 4/5 Stars.
CryingHero

Young Smith has a career on his hands and the loveable Jackie Chan is back again. In this modern remake it is all that. The twist in culture is a fantastic plot ploy. My biggest gripe is the fact that mini Smith is learning Kung-Fu and not Karate which would should mean we are all really watching 'The Kung-Fu Kid'
- Currently 3/5 Stars.
mart

a decent attempt, it will never be as good as the orininal
- Currently 4/5 Stars.
HShortt
- Currently 3/5 Stars.
crazylegs

Actually quite good!
- Currently 3/5 Stars.
monika_fan

Remake of the original Karate Kid. Did you know that in China they removed some of the scenes ie when Chinese kids bully the kid...
- Currently 5/5 Stars.
weseire

This was a surprise for me. I taught it was excellent and mini Will Smith and Jackie Chan both did a great job on this.
- Currently 1/5 Stars.
bigslick184

Sigh what can i say. Murdered the originals. Jackie Chan its all over. Plus the kid learns Kung Fu, not Karate. Ruined
- Currently 4/5 Stars.
edible_animal

My ten year old nephew didn't get bored, and its a long running time for that age group. Bit over the top in the end, some more restrint and realism would have given it 5 stars, but beautiful, funny sad and kung fu, so I'm happy.
- Currently 3/5 Stars.
Swagga Whaa
- Currently 4/5 Stars.
masonica

Maybe I was more impressed by this film due to the fact I was so prepared to slap this film down but it actually works better than the original and has some thrilling and menacing moment too. Actually worth your time.