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SOUND OFF

Sound Off: Harald Zwart's The Karate Kid Remake - Thoughts?

by Alex Billington
June 11, 2010

Now that you've all seen it, what did you think? The original, unforgettable Karate Kid hit theaters in 1984 and has since become a true classic, no thanks to an unforgettable performance by Pat Morita. But now it's time for the remake, a contemporary version of a great story of triumph. Hitting theaters this weekend is Sony's The Karate Kid, directed by Harald Zwart, starring Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan and Taraji Henson. So how is it? How does it compare to the original? Are the performances from Jaden and Jackie anything to remembered? If you've seen it, leave a comment below and let us know what you thought of The Karate Kid!

To fuel the fire big time on this one, I've already seen it twice, and I really, really enjoy this movie. I pretty much think it's on par with the original, which I know may come as a shock to most, but it's such a superb film. It's really just a solid, refreshing, modern take on a great story. I thought Jaden Smith did a great job, better than anything I've seen him in before. But it was Jackie Chan who really knocked this one out of the park, giving one of the best performances I've seen him give over the last few years. Overall, I thought The Karate Kid really was a wonderful remake, worth seeing at the least because it's truly great entertainment.

What did you think of The Karate Kid? A great modern remake of a classic or a big disaster?

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Related categories: Discussion, Hype, Sound Off

Firefly1

It's a movie that not many people have faith in, but it actually shines. I won't go so far as to say that it's as good as the original, but it's better than the 3 sequels at least. For a remake big-budgeted commercial film, it's darn decent as a movie!
http://www.checkthisflickout.com Average Guy

I look forward to seeing this. I had a lot of doubt, but have been sold on some of the press I've seen lately. Of the 2 80's flashbacks, I was looking more forward to The A-Team and will probably see that first, as soon as the freshly out of school crowds recede. "Wax off."
cinephile

This was a great movie. Good Character building nice plot points and It was really nice to see the entire theater clapping for this movie.
earlymusicus

I'll go to see it, but I have to confess that my heart belongs to Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio. I don't any remake could ever replace them!
Cmpunk82

oh no this remake will never replace the orifional one....but if ur a new generation...then u'll this remake.
Duck

I really enjoyed this movie and the fight scenes are top notch in my opinion.
HU5K3R

My only complaint about it is that they called it Karate Kid and they should have called it The Kung Fu Kid.
Lizzie

I loved this movie. I can't really compare it to the original, because honestly, I haven't watched it in years and I never really liked it to begin with. That aside though, this one was great, and definitely one to see in the theater. The fight choreography was really well done, and it was great to ooh and ah with the people in the theater (and believe me, you will "ooh").
Frank N. Stein

So...let me get this right, Alex...the original Karate Kid became a true classic, and the fact that it did so had nothing to do with Pat Morita's performance? I'm confused. I personally think that sentence should read "in part because of" rather than "no thanks to." Morita was my favorite part. The first one is a classic - I will grant you that. This movie has elements of the first, but the storytelling is great in its own right. Still, the themes of honor, courage, perseverance and friendship are at its heart... I think this is more of a re-boot than a remake...and it's not the worst I've seen. I'd give this move four figs on Freemont's Fig Rating Scale. Not the most you can give (five), but darned close.
http://movies.iconocritic.com peloquin

Everyone I talk to who knows nothing about film laughs at me when I say this was great, but that just means we have to work harder to get people to see this hidden gem. I chose this over A Team and I do not regret it. For everyone feeling nostalgic while watching this check out "Wax On, Fuck Off" that Pat Morita just released: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c8ad4aa802/wax-on-f-ck-off-with-ralph-macchio
Optimus Crime

It shouldn't be called a remake! What's the point of remaking the original only to change it completely, change the names and have a little child play the protagonist? Remakes should only happen if there was something wrong with the original. End of. Hence why Michael Bay's production company are the most worthless idiots on the face of the planet.
Jennifer

I thought this movie was excellent! I love the realistic fear and triumph over fear that little Jaden Smith displayed and played so well. I thought that Jackie Chan was at his best and very believable in his role of teacher and student. 2 thumbs up! Congrats Jada and Will on such a promising young star!
drunkimus

Even if he knows 7 deferent styles can't kick hard
DaftPUNKFAN

good film
http://www.couriersrus.com maria

im looking forward seeing this film..i know it will be a feel good movie.
lebowski

a superb film? really? a superb film would be something like un prophete or Up, right? not a remake of a middling eighties kids movie. bleh.
Geoff

Still not sure why a movie about an African American in China who is learning Kung Fu from a guy from Hong Kong is called The Karate Kid. Either hollywood is ignorant or they think we all are. Do they all look like alike to hollywood? Chinese...Japanese....what's the difference? Kung Fu Kid would have been more accurate and original.
why?

@16 wow there buddy calm down its just a movie
daniels

love it !! it was f.... great
mochonko

Pretty decent fight scenes for just kids, and Jackie Chan does a great job.. A def must see
pulp fiction212

@18 dude shut up and check youur spelling
K-Ike

@21 check your spelling lol much love 18 ha ha anyways this remake of the karate kid is truly a thing of its own i mean this is a new movie a different look basically, what you say as a re-imagining it tells a completely diff. look on a story told in the 80s so yea it in its own way, is Great!
Hattori Hanzo

Seen it before ... And the sequels ... Nothing new to see here ... Move along people; save your money until people start seeing The Last Airbender ..
Concourse D

C'mon guys. It's called The Karate Kid because it makes good marketing sense to tie this new version into the previous franchise. Yes, they use kung-fu in the movie; but movie producers are looking for bankable clarity in the title, not perfect narrative accuracy. For people who are not combing through movies looking for these kind of details (read: most moviegoers), it was and is a good idea to call this movie The Karate Kid.
vinz

well, the film had good review on 'rottentomatoes' I'll see it...
Dexter

The movie is pretty decent but... it goes down in the last fight. When the director is trying to create the tension of the last hit... the cinema was laughing. The ones who have seen the movie already probably will understand why. That ruined for me "the moment of truth". In my opinion the tournament part is hundred miles better in the original than in the remake. Anyway, besides that I agree. It's a good movie with great performance from Jackie Chan specially.
deadpool 72

the original is a classic kids movie of the 80s,this is not .......wax on,wax off,wax on,FUCK OFF.
Geoff

@24 - given China and Japan's history it's pretty insulting to china to call this The Karate Kid.
salber on cinema

Bravo #11 and #24 for defining what a remake is, i'm emailing websters right now;) The original is a classic but i suppose if one has to re-cast the pat morita role, jackie chan was a good choice. It must be nice to have mom and dad finance a movie so the son can star in it.
Fac

I thought it was just really, really good. Enjoyable, entertaining, definitely worth seeing. Jakie Chan and Jaden Smith were excellent. The action was awesome. The performances from everyone were incredible. It has great emotional story. It leaves you satisfied and its something you could without a doubt see again and again. A must own. And yes, it really is that good in my opinion. But even if you don't think its all that, you have to admit its still an exceptional movie worth the money. On another note its actually really funny throughout. Great mix of everything. Bottom line, go see it ASAP.
Buds

Worth watching even if its for the training and fighting scenes. Some good emotional stuff as well. I'd buy it on Blu.
?

Great movie, stuck to what a remake should be (true to the orignal) Kids loved it!
THERBLIG

i got the feel they were going for with the camera angels but at times it was all just jumbled up. it seemed to have a point then at times it was just senseless trying to follow the first 3 films. I think more training scenes were needed and less story love story plot. I would have went for a all out karate film, i mean thats what the title suggests a nd thats where the other flms have left off. The original will forever be a favorite but these days seeing a 10 year old get busy with some chic is not for good viewing. HAHA All in all nice try but it just felt like a bad repeat.
oot

next time the boy will learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu and do MMA fights.. cooollll and it still called "karate kid" why not..
Mac

everybody was ripping this movie now you jump ship what happen I wont see this movie the next movie for will smith kid will be back to the future???? shame on all of you!!!
Logan

Just saw it last night. This turned out to be an amazing movie with an awesome performance by jackie chan. I just loved the part where he says "everything is kung fu". The whole crowd was cheering laughing and crying with the movie and i think any movie that can do that is a win. As for the name, i think "the karate kid" has more to do with the same message being put across to the audience as the first movie. You feel the same sympathy for the kid, the same awe for the master, the same hatred for the guy teaching the art as a means of violence. And the same message that with hard work and perseverance you can conquer anything and earn others' respect.
http://futurephilmmaker.blogspot.com/ FuturePhilmMaker

Is he just riding on his fathers fame or can he actually act?
Kevin

This Karate Kid has more depth then the original en the bond between teacher en pupil is really told better. I loved the movie en Jayden Smith can act. This boy has a future.
Raja

Jaden is a star! He's gonna become a bigger star than his dad! for sure...
blasphemer

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
tam tam

they should have named it the kung fu kid since it was about kung fu and filmed in china , any one would know that kung fu and karate are diffrent fighting stryles
dave

I've mastered both. I'm currently a teacher of both karate, kung fu + tae kwon do. so i agree.