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The Karate Kid (2010)

Time Out rating

Average user rating

19 reviews

Synopsis

Jaden Smith steps into the shoes of crane-kicking goliath Ralph Macchio for this modern-day retelling of the much-loved underdog dramady.

Movie review

From Time Out London

This remake of the 1984 weedy-kid-makes-good parable is a fascinating example of how fine the line is between success and failure in films. The story is still great, and in shifting the action to urban China, director Harald Zwart and his writers have refreshed an old set-up. The cast are solid – Jackie Chan makes for an oddly vulnerable Miyagi (now Mr Han) – and the script, though overlong, moves at a crackling pace.

But the makers have made one giant misstep, and it sinks the film: in reducing their hero from streetwise teen Daniel-san to gobby 12-year-old Dre (Jaden Smith), they’ve completely altered the tone of the piece, changing it from a goofy, uplifting coming-of-age drama into a distressing, queasy tale of bullying and retribution. Everything about Dre feels written for an older actor – his tense relationship with his mum, his awkward courtship of a local girl, and the final battle, in which the sight of crowds cheering a battered pre-teen into bone-crunching combat just feels jaw-droppingly inappropriate. Come back, Ralph Macchio. All – even ‘Karate Kid 3’ – is forgiven.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2084: July 29 – Aug 4, 2010

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User reviews of this film

michael said...

Posted on Aug 31 2010 13:54 wrong again Timeout. Good performances from the leads, and some wonderful, memorable sequences make this film work. Yes Jaden is slightly young, yes it's in the wrong country for Karate. Its still a good film.

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paulm said...

Posted on Aug 31 2010 00:44 The user comments are well justified, critic reviews generally of this film are way off. The original version was cheesy, unconvincing and (for those of you too young to have seen it) thoroughly missable. Apart from an overlong first half, this incarnation had it all - credible storyline, great backdrops, but crucially highly believable and engaging fight scenes with an electric technically brilliant delivery. Go see!

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Taray said...

Posted on Aug 25 2010 11:43 This film is awesome
I loved everything, I never watched the original but if it's better than this one then it's worth watching. =]
Jaden Smith is soo cute

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Kay Horsnell said...

Posted on Aug 23 2010 17:48 I wasn't too sure what this film was going to be in relation to the original films (which I've seen several times) but I really enjoyed the new version. It was great to see Jackie Chan doing a more serious role. and Will Smith should be really proud of his son (who I thought adorable). The story was good, the action, very good, oversll a very enjoyable family film. I would see this one again.

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jaybird said...

Posted on Aug 23 2010 00:14 Takes a while to develop the story but wholly enjoyable movie, whole family loved it. Jaden Smith is great and for sure will be a big star.

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livin in a cave? said...

Posted on Aug 22 2010 22:58 £13 quid??????? where do you people go to the movies??/ the moon??

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Mike said...

Posted on Aug 19 2010 23:10 Very shabby re-make, completly killed the original. The word 'cheesy' cropped into my mind through the entire film! Biggest waste of £13 in a long time!

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roney said...

Posted on Aug 16 2010 12:34 nice movie....i liked the fights....

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roney said...

Posted on Aug 16 2010 12:33 nice wun....

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Amy said...

Posted on Aug 15 2010 12:32 Personally for me this film was wicked i loved it and couldnt take my eyes of the screen. I went to see it with my sister jessica who is 12 and my mam ! We all loved it. Although i wouldnt recommend it for very young children as i dont think they will beable to follow it , as even in a couple of parts i was like ehhh ? whats happening. But over all i would recommend this film to the older people i think children under say 13 would get a bit lost of but im 15 and still very much enjoyed it . I would go and see this again if i could !! x

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Aug 12 2010 10:23 Supurb performance from Smith elevates this from a so-so 5/10 to a enjoyable watch. Too long, though. 6/10

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Kate said...

Posted on Aug 07 2010 10:30 Is everyone missing the point here, it's KARATE kid, which somehow does not work in CHINA, doing KUNGFU. Um hello, not the same.

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roger rabbit said...

Posted on Aug 06 2010 18:34 Yet another pointless remake YYYYawn was **it 30yr ago & stil is ....Dear Hollywood get some new ideas .

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tom huddleston said...

Posted on Aug 05 2010 10:29 Jaws is one of my favourite movies.

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jock said...

Posted on Aug 05 2010 00:25 yet again Mr Huddlestone slates a great film,what a shock.Honestly does that man even like the cinema?This film blew the original away.Instead of that weird speechless Nyagi fool we had a heartbroken character in jackie Chans mr Han. and as for the insanely over talented young master Smith, well that kid has an enormous future.The fights were better the setting was better the acting was better the whole thing had a better up to date feel about it.for sure we all remember the original, but come on, it was no where near this level.
Well done Tom.if we want a review to slag off a really decent film,we can rely on you.
p.s. I bet you didnt like jaws my friend always says you can judge real movie fans by that because EVERYONE LIKES JAWS!!!

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