Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  Its length is a bit indulgent but overall, this is a pretty good remake/re-telling. All the changes they made were right. Taking the story out of America was a good move. There are nods to the original film but nothing is copied as such. I know some people don't like it because… More
  Its length is a bit indulgent but overall, this is a pretty good remake/re-telling. All the changes they made were right. Taking the story out of America was a good move. There are nods to the original film but nothing is copied as such. I know some people don't like it because they love the original but they would be more angry if 'Wax on, wax off' was there instead of 'Jacket on, Jacket off' (which actually seems to make more sense). I think Smith was a little too young for the role though, Ralph Macchio was twenty something when he played the Kid. That said though, he obviously learnt his stuff and worked hard at it, so well done to him. Pat Morita's Mr Miyagi is a legend, so what better choice than another legend like Jackie Chan. All round, I thought it was a really good remake of a film that didn't need a remake.

• Joseph M

  
  A

• Jeff "

  
  Respectable remake of the classic film of the same name, The Karate Kid is an entertaining, fun film for the entire family. The movie was enjoyable, but there were many things that I didn't like. The choice of the lead actor being Jaden Smith was questionable and I found him more… More
  Respectable remake of the classic film of the same name, The Karate Kid is an entertaining, fun film for the entire family. The movie was enjoyable, but there were many things that I didn't like. The choice of the lead actor being Jaden Smith was questionable and I found him more annoying than anything. I personally feel that another actor could have played his part. I mean really, the kid's acting is horrible. A performance that really stood out for me was that of Jackie Chan, I really am not a fan of his work, and he was wonderful here. He finally was able to make a good film after a few years doing bad ones. The fight scenes are great, very well done and intense as well. Although the film suffers from the usual remake aspects, such as not being able to capture the essence of the original, this is still a good flick, and it is very entertaining, but the original is far better. The direction is good, but never great, and the plot does leave a lot for improvement. I really liked the fact that the film was set in China, and it added an authentic flavor to the Karate Kid, which is what stands out the most about the film. Overall this is a fun, worthwhile film that succeeds just enough where most remakes fail. Even with all its flaws, the film does have an important message, standing up for yourself, and it makes you feel good as the lead character gets even by defining himself and defeating his bully in a karate tournament. Even with Smith's annoying performance, the film has enough good elements to make it worth seeing.

• Eric S

  
  Jaden Smith can't act and he is way too young to be cast for the lead role. If you're going to put a romance in the movie it'd be better if the characters are older; all the scenes involving the lovebirds are painfully cheesy. It just doesn't work, I'm sorry.… More
  Jaden Smith can't act and he is way too young to be cast for the lead role. If you're going to put a romance in the movie it'd be better if the characters are older; all the scenes involving the lovebirds are painfully cheesy. It just doesn't work, I'm sorry. The original is much better by far.

• Sophie B

  
  A well done remake that definitely makes me want to learn Karate. Or whatever martial arts he actually learns. Some awesome visuals of China too.

• Raymond W

  
  Jaden Smith proves that he can act in this modern remake of the 1980's classic film. With an unusually dramatic (but excellent) performance from Jackie Chan, and an always fantastic Taraji P. Henson, The Karate Kid will please fans of the original and newcomers alike. The… More
  Jaden Smith proves that he can act in this modern remake of the 1980's classic film. With an unusually dramatic (but excellent) performance from Jackie Chan, and an always fantastic Taraji P. Henson, The Karate Kid will please fans of the original and newcomers alike. The cinematography is superb, showcasing rural and modern China. By the end, The Karate Kid had me nearly on my feet cheering. A worth remake of the original, and a riveting, suspenseful crowd-pleaser.

• Alexander D

  
  This new version of THE KARATE KID was a fun family movie. It was also interesting to see a different Karate Kid (Dre Parker), in the same gist as the old one, with a Chinese girlfriend. It's kind of sad, though, that the producers, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, cast their… More
  This new version of THE KARATE KID was a fun family movie. It was also interesting to see a different Karate Kid (Dre Parker), in the same gist as the old one, with a Chinese girlfriend. It's kind of sad, though, that the producers, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, cast their own son as the lead role. Ridunculous.

• Martin S

  
  Well the good thing about this movie...is that it is completley different from the original. Cause if the just tried to do the same thing...it would be a lot more disrespecting then it is. Now I'm suppose you should feel sorry for the guy cause he has a hard time fitting… More
  Well the good thing about this movie...is that it is completley different from the original. Cause if the just tried to do the same thing...it would be a lot more disrespecting then it is. Now I'm suppose you should feel sorry for the guy cause he has a hard time fitting in....but come on....he's a complete asshole...He does everything in his power to provoke everyone. He has no respect for the country and the different culture. He deserves everything he gets. They made a good job of showing the beautiful china though

• Conner R

  
  I was really surprised at how much I liked the remake of what I consider one of my favorite movies. While it's plot and structure are basically the same, there is a definite purpose for this movie to exist. Little Jaden is filling his dad's shoes quite easily; he will… More
  I was really surprised at how much I liked the remake of what I consider one of my favorite movies. While it's plot and structure are basically the same, there is a definite purpose for this movie to exist. Little Jaden is filling his dad's shoes quite easily; he will undoubtedly be the heir to the Smith Legacy. His charm, hilarious mannerisms and earnest attitude are an inarguable fact. Jackie Chan also brings a lot to the table and has all the heart that Mr. Miyagi possessed. What the remake does that makes it slightly more intense than the original is have such young kids beating each other up in the most violent ways possible. This is something that makes it so much more serious than it should be at times; which was one of its strongest assets. This is a movie that looks great, flows really well and is easily an acceptable continuation of The Karate Kid franchise.

• Bethany M

  
  Really enjoyed this film. I think Zhenwei Wang made me laugh the most. 'You so fanny.' Seriously, you can't beat it. Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan were also exceptional. Not bad and considering I haven't seen the original I can't really judge if it was better or… More
  Really enjoyed this film. I think Zhenwei Wang made me laugh the most. 'You so fanny.' Seriously, you can't beat it. Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan were also exceptional. Not bad and considering I haven't seen the original I can't really judge if it was better or worse. However, this is the modern version so I'm sure it'll be a lot more popular.

• Shawn E

  
  I was very hesitant to watch this movie because I am such a big fan of the original Karate Kid. Remakes of old classics are rarely any good, but this film surprised me a lot. The thing I liked most about this film is it kept to the original story, and the parts that were changed built… More
  I was very hesitant to watch this movie because I am such a big fan of the original Karate Kid. Remakes of old classics are rarely any good, but this film surprised me a lot. The thing I liked most about this film is it kept to the original story, and the parts that were changed built on the philosophy of kung-fu. Jackie Chan is no Mr. Miyagi, but this film is still a pretty good remake.

• Jim C

  
  I disagree with critics, I enjoyed this awesome film

• Jason O

  
  Haven't seen the originals in years, so I can't really compare it accurately as to how it ranks, but I know I liked this one a good bit. The first half actually kept me just as interested as the latter half, which is saying a lot, cause all the action and training came… More
  Haven't seen the originals in years, so I can't really compare it accurately as to how it ranks, but I know I liked this one a good bit. The first half actually kept me just as interested as the latter half, which is saying a lot, cause all the action and training came later. The only thing I would've liked to have seen that wasn't here was Jackie Chan fighting the instructor of the the boy's bullies.

• Mike S

  
  Pretty good re-make, albeit quite different from the original. Jayden Smith has improved a great deal as an actor, and I'm glad he wasn't the unbearably annoying brat he was in <i>The Day The Earth Stood Still</i>. Jackie Chan is splendid as his good friend and… More
  Pretty good re-make, albeit quite different from the original. Jayden Smith has improved a great deal as an actor, and I'm glad he wasn't the unbearably annoying brat he was in <i>The Day The Earth Stood Still</i>. Jackie Chan is splendid as his good friend and mentor, even if he's more tired-looking and downplayed than what I'm used to seeing him like. Maybe his long years in the industry has finally caught up with him. Great coreography in the fights though, and the beautiful Chinese settings makes it a true pleasure to the eyes. Were it only a bit shorter and a little less corny, I would have given it a higher rating. But it's still an enjoyable re-invention of the classic from 1984, and one that has earned the right to wear the same title.

• Michael E

  
  it was done perfectly and is far better than the original

• Mark H

  
  The common objection goes, why remake a classic film? It's never going to be as engaging as the original and it's a lazy way make a buck. You'll feel even more jaded when you realize the movie's producers, über famous Hollywood couple Will and Jada Pinkett… More
  The common objection goes, why remake a classic film? It's never going to be as engaging as the original and it's a lazy way make a buck. You'll feel even more jaded when you realize the movie's producers, über famous Hollywood couple Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, have cast their own son as the titular star. While it does''t hold up to the 80s coming-of-age story, the production's biggest twist is that it's surprisingly good. The cinematography features gorgeous scenery of China which adds some authenticity to the surroundings. The title is actually a misnomer since the competition is all about Kung Fu not Karate. But why is everyone so young? The chief bully looks like he's around 10. He's not threatening and has zero personality. Granted, Jackie Chan is excellent as a maintenance man who teaches martial arts. Jaden Smith gives a relaxed performance, but he's too overly confident for us to ever be worried for him. As a result, the drama isn't as powerful as it could have been. Padding the plot to a ridiculous 140 minutes is unnecessary torture.

• Nate Z

  
  Was this ever a refreshing revelation. This transplanted Karate Kid remake takes the basic elements of the seminal 1980s underdog sports film and makes a rousing, satisfying, and surprisingly emotional experience. It sounds like sacrilege to take on a classic and fill it with an aged… More
  Was this ever a refreshing revelation. This transplanted Karate Kid remake takes the basic elements of the seminal 1980s underdog sports film and makes a rousing, satisfying, and surprisingly emotional experience. It sounds like sacrilege to take on a classic and fill it with an aged Jackie Chan and Will Smith's progeny, but by God it works. It all works. It's clear that pint-sized Jaden Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness) is a chip off the old block; he's got a natural charm and feels like he can turn it on at will. His acting doesn't come across as forced, and the kid can even tackle the heavier dramatic stuff with shocking ease. The other benefit to Smith is that he LOOKS like a true 12-year-old kid, gangly and scrambling for protection and self-confidence. Ralph Machio was in his early 20s when he was waxing on, waxing off. Smith and Chan have a bristling chemistry, and I ended up eating my words when Chan channeled a succession of teary emotions. The teacher/student dynamic leads to enough satisfying moments to feel like you've gotten your money's worth. The same lessons of discipline get a fresh coat of paint. There's no real reason that a Karate Kid remake needed to be made (it feels like China funded it as an unashamed tourist commercial) especially since there were three sequels of varying quality. While a little long with an overextended kung-fu tournament, Karate Kid is a family film that won't melt your brain. Nate's Grade: B

• Dean !

  
  A decent re-make that isn't an exact carbon copy, which is a good thing! I think setting this one in China was a good call, and what better master than Jackie Chan to teach him. Would have been nice if it was a bit shorter in length and a few more fight scenes at the tournament… More
  A decent re-make that isn't an exact carbon copy, which is a good thing! I think setting this one in China was a good call, and what better master than Jackie Chan to teach him. Would have been nice if it was a bit shorter in length and a few more fight scenes at the tournament etc. However it is still a very enjoyable film.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Wenwen Han, Zhenwei Wang, Rongguang Yu, Zhensu Wu, Zhiheng Wang, Shi Jia Lü, Yi Zhao Director: Harald Zwart Summary: After moving to Beijing with his mother, Dre (Jaden Smith) falls prey to a bully, so he takes lessons from… More
  Cast: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Wenwen Han, Zhenwei Wang, Rongguang Yu, Zhensu Wu, Zhiheng Wang, Shi Jia Lü, Yi Zhao Director: Harald Zwart Summary: After moving to Beijing with his mother, Dre (Jaden Smith) falls prey to a bully, so he takes lessons from martial arts master Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) in this remake of The Karate Kid. While Mr. Han teaches Dre to defend himself, he also imparts some important life lessons. Meanwhile, Dre struggles with the unfamiliar language and cultural barriers he encounters in his new country. My Thoughts: "I am usually not a fan of films being remade, but I really enjoyed this one. It really felt like it's own film instead of a remake of the 1984's classic. It's funny, intense at times, and definitely entertaining. Jaden Smith has definitely got the same confidence on screen as his famous father, Will Smith. He was really good in his role as Dre Parker. Loved that Jackie Chan was cast as Mr. Han, he was fantastic in the role. I would like to see him in more dramatic roles like this. Just a great cast with some great acting. Zhenwei Wang was also impressive. A great family film."

• Lenny M

  
  They should have made this film after Jaden "Lil Hitch" Smith hit puberty. He's gonna be a great actor but they got to let him grow a little, at least to Ralph Macchio's height. Jaden Smith's facial expressions look like they're coming straight outta… More
  They should have made this film after Jaden "Lil Hitch" Smith hit puberty. He's gonna be a great actor but they got to let him grow a little, at least to Ralph Macchio's height. Jaden Smith's facial expressions look like they're coming straight outta Fresh Prince. Substitute Hawaii/Japanese Miyagi and Italian New Jersey Ralph Macchio for a Chinese Jackie Chan and Black Detroitian Jaden Smith. I know they have to name Karate Kid for marketing purposes, but The Kung Fu Dream (the Chinese title) is much better in my opinion. Long movie, missing the fun 80's, awesome cheese. This movie is more like a remake of Karate Kid 2 that parallels the Karate Kid plot, if that makes any sense. He goes to China and learns about the culture, learns some ancient move and falls for a local girl. The final move that Jaden uses to win the tournament is a little too farfetched for me, they should have stuck with the crane kick. Sweep the leg Jaden, eat the head Yao.

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