Kevinicus
Well-Known Member
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- Reaction score
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Karate Kid - 6.8/10. Much better than I expected when I first heard they were making this. The fighting is much better than the original (though the original is a lot more realistic about what you'd actually see at a tournament). The acting is also better, particularly Jackie Chan, who is very good in this. Jaden Smith holds his own and it's obvious he has a martial arts background. The character of his mother, however, is extremely annoying, particularly in the first half of the movie.
What it doesn't improve upon from the original is it's charm or storytelling. This version could have done a lot to be more original. Even though it's a remake, or reimagining, doesn't mean it has to follow the premise almost exactly. Every piece of this movie can be traced back to something in the original and in many cases is nearly identical.
That said, the film's biggest problem is it's length. It clocks in at around 2 hrs. 20 min. and it feels every bit that length. The film drags it's feet for far too long, and doesn't really delve into the most interesting aspects, (the relationship between student and teacher, the training, fighting) until the last 45 minutes or so. The last 3rd of the movie are really what lift it up from being a 5/10 movie and barely a rental. With the last 45 minutes, it's probably still a rental, but a quality one that improves on some areas of the origianal and can entertain your family while bringing back a little nostalgia.
What it doesn't improve upon from the original is it's charm or storytelling. This version could have done a lot to be more original. Even though it's a remake, or reimagining, doesn't mean it has to follow the premise almost exactly. Every piece of this movie can be traced back to something in the original and in many cases is nearly identical.
That said, the film's biggest problem is it's length. It clocks in at around 2 hrs. 20 min. and it feels every bit that length. The film drags it's feet for far too long, and doesn't really delve into the most interesting aspects, (the relationship between student and teacher, the training, fighting) until the last 45 minutes or so. The last 3rd of the movie are really what lift it up from being a 5/10 movie and barely a rental. With the last 45 minutes, it's probably still a rental, but a quality one that improves on some areas of the origianal and can entertain your family while bringing back a little nostalgia.
