Review of The Karate Kid (2010) by Yorkman — 16 Jan 2016

On 'The Island Of Completely Unnecessary Remakes' there is a shrine for this film where the others go to pay homage.

Not only is it a terrible film, but it basically rips the heart out of the original and spits it in the audience's face.

Jaden Smith can't act, Tariji P. Henson can't act. Every other child actor in the film.... Can't act.

The original is a cult classic for a reason, it actually makes some sense. Teenagers abusing their karate skills, picking on the outsider who's just moved to town. The unlikely love interest that creates the emotional bridge between them all, and the morality tale about overcoming one's own fears to bring about that positive change.

The main problem with this film is changing the core cast from 17-18 years olds, and making them 12-13 year olds. The audience has to accept that pre-pubescent children can develop the same emotional/sexual bonds when applied to the 'love' interest. As well as the idea that the parents of the 'bad kids' are happy with their children going out and beating other kids up, as well as their 'sifu' being a completely sociopathic bastard!

There's no basis in reality for this movie, and even if you go in with your thinking cap firmly wedged in your pocket.... The atrocious acting, mediocre choreography, terrible musical score and by the book direction will make you wish you'd chosen any other film on whichever format you might have found this one on!

The only bright spark in the film is Jackie Chan, but he's given very little scope in terms of character development. 'Mr Miyagi', the man lamenting a past life he gave up in Japan, he ain't!

All I can say is that this is a film to avoid like the plague. I watched it solely out of curiosity, and I really wish I hadn't bothered.