The Karate Kid

Scott Hardie: “It was ok.”

I skipped this remake when it came out, despite a lifelong love of the amazing Jackie Chan, because it seemed too pitched at kids to appeal to me. But I just watched the entire movie on mute while waiting in the ER, so maybe those circumstances were favorable to it? I did have the audio on for one scene where Jackie and young Jaden Smith go to a temple, and even in that somber setting Smith was overacting and annoying, so perhaps if I had heard his squeaky voice through the entire film I would have disliked it more. The karate (actually kung fu) was impressive, definitely an improvement on the 80s original, and there were some amazing views of China, both natural and urban. This was pretty much the definition of "ok."

− April 3, 2018 • more by Scott • log in or create an account to reply

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Denise Sawicki: “It was ok.”

It was OK verging on it sucked... I'm one of the weirdos who still sometimes uses physical media and we got the karate kid trilogy for cheap with this one added in. The first half was very slow and tried too hard to copy the original (without actually being a karate movie) but the views of China saved it somewhat. The jacket on/jacket off part? Come on...

The second half picked up the pace somewhat and became mildly enjoyable. Jaden Smith was too young for the role but also weirdly too muscular. I felt like Jackie Chan maybe should have passed on this one. He was underutilized. He's better when he can be a bit funny.

− October 17, 2024 • more by Denise • log in or create an account to reply

Scott Hardie: I don't think you're weird for liking physical media. If anything, you're now trendy. Congratulations! :-D

I feel so much pity for Jaden Smith. He was never going to have a normal life anyway, but Will Smith's multi-film campaign to launch him as a movie star when he was still pre-adolescent felt creepy at the time and feels abusive today now that we've had a glimpse of the real Will Smith. It's a sad irony that Jaden's character spends this movie learning to take down his bullies, when the real bully of his life is the one forcing him to do the picture in the first place.

As for Chan, I agree, but he follows the money. He has already filmed the sequel. :-\ − October 17, 2024 • more by Scott

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