The Karate Kid Quick Movie Reviews

jaystar7 - wrote on 08/06/2015

I still think this movie should be called the "Kung-Fu Kid" because Kung-Fu and Karate are two very different styles of martial arts. I get the point that it was somewhat following the same story line as the first "Karate Kid" movie just replacing Karate with Kung-Fu. All in all it was still a descent movie to sit down and watch with the family. I did like that they took the story to China. There where some amazingly beautiful scenes.

Matthew Brady - wrote on 08/11/2014

When a man (Jackie Chan) helps and little kid in a karate competition. I thought this remake was going to be terrible, but this movie was actually enjoyable.

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 08/11/2011

I felt the original was definitely better. Jaden Smith has a bright future and Jackie Chan becomes the disciplined master. Cinematography was pretty, score was decent and the cast did a good job. Unfortunately, the plot was light and story too predictable. The only enticing part of the film was the training. One thing I noticed, why call it The Karate Kid when they used "Kung-Fu" in the movie?

mitchellyoung - wrote on 03/09/2011

I think Jackie Chan's acting talent is underused in this film - he could have been a more emotional anchor (his Chinese-language acting work proves this; the man just has a hard time being convincing when speaking English.) I also didn't dig the updated feel of the film - from the soundtrack, to the transportation to China (which doesn't really make sense in context of the plot), to the more intense fighting movements. Had some fun moments, but a needless retread of a film that stands on its own merits.

patjohnson76 - wrote on 11/28/2010

A competent remake of the original, with a few subtle changes but mostly sticking to the same formula. Jaden Smith plays Jaden Smith...I mean, Dre, who moves to China with his mom and immediately has trouble with some local bullies, so Jackie Chan teaches him kung fu. The kung fu scenes are enjoyable enough and Smith does a good job here, however, the script calls for some things that Smith just isn't experienced enough for. One involves the obligatory love story angle, and Smith is way too young to make this believable, in fact it's downright creepy. The other are some dramatic scenes that Smith can't pull through. In time, I'm sure he'll be a better actor.

PsychoKing1227 - wrote on 10/19/2010

I will say that surprisingly, I thought this movie was legitimately good. You can obviously tell that Jackie Chan is getting older, but his roles are taking on serious undertones, leaving behind much of the "kung-fu" attitude and building on more of a life-affirming personification of his art. Jaden Smith is unsurprisingly good, being that his parents are two of the most talented working actors in modern cinema, and he is doubtless going to follow his father's career with possibly a more eclectic one, but still grasping that Will Smith flair. A great film with great villains, great heroes, and a perfect ending.

Tasha - wrote on 09/10/2010

At first I didn't really care to see it. I figured I'd catch it on video whenever I felt like it. But I'm glad I went to see it, I enjoyed it. Haven't seen the original in a long time, (and I know this isn't so much a remake, but a re-imagining, if you will), made me want to go back and watch Ralph Macchio "wax on/wax off"

Freddie - wrote on 07/10/2010

This was a good movie. I love Taraji P. Henson in everything she does. She really is a talented actor. Jaden Smith was good. He could use some more acting lessons from Dad. There are much better child actors. But it was a fun and exciting movie.

Rod - wrote on 06/28/2010

The Karate Kid! Another good movie for the year 2010! before i was able to watch this movie, everyone says it is a good movie, YEAH EVERYONE (not just most of them)...but the problem on my case is that because of what they said, i had high expectation from the film, so, at some point i felyt not cotented BUT STILL this movie from the trailer to the actual movie, you will be satisfied! Jaden Smith did very good in this film, i'm going to watch out his next movies! another thing i like about this movie is that it didn't use a usual cinematic technique used on kung fu movies (just watch it for you to find out!) RECOMMENDED!

Des E. Raye - wrote on 06/17/2010

I was very pleased with this movie. Jaden did a phenomenal job in this movie. He is definitely Will Smith's son. It was funny because so many of his mannerisms and delivery of his lines reminded me of his dad. This little boy is going to be a force to be reckoned with. He is a natural. His emotions were believable and he has raw talent. Taraji P. who I happen to love as an actress was great in the role of his mother. And Jackie Chan as his mentor, with his amazing talents and raw emotions--the movie definitely deserves 4 stars in my opinion. I would highly recommend this movie.