Hollywood Needs to Sweep the leg with Karate Kid Remake
Posted by Craig Kessler on May 7, 2009 at 2:30 am
The remake of Karate Kid is on and growing and with the release of the details of the movie, I have just been made angrier than when I go to the deli and they tell me they ran out of hero rolls.
Source: Slash Film
“The film’s plot is broadly the same as the original 1984 film, but with many little differences. The Daniel Larusso character, played by Jaden Smith
, has been renamed Dre (I kid you not) and is a skateboarding video game buff. With the fear of layoffs looming over her U.S. job, Dre’s single mother accepts an offer to transfer to the China office. Of course, unable to speak Chinese, Dre finds it hard to settle in, and gets beat up by the local bully.
The Mr. Myiagi character has been renamed Mr. Han, played by Jackie Chan, spots a black-eyed Dre practicing martial-arts kicks as part of a Wii-style video game and agrees to teach him both martial arts and Chinese. The John Kreese’ character has been renamed Li Quan Ha, and is now the owner of the Fighting dragon school of Kung-Fu. Clint has heard that the Chris Murphy-penned remake is actually a good script, but I’m somewhat doubtful.
I’m shocked to learn that the film is still going under the title “The Karate Kid“, and not “The Kung-Fu Kid” title that was rumored a couple months back. The film’s title doesn’t make a lick of sense, especially since the new film involves a kid who learns Kung Fu, and not karate. And why would Sony want to satisfy the many fans of the original film by changing just one word in the film’s title?”
Where to begin with this, I don’t know. My head is steaming like a cartoon character ready to blow the top off after reading this. All I can think of is a reaction my Jewish mother would give at times. “Hollywood, you might as well take a knife and stab me.”
The title doesn’t even make sense. They are having “Dre” learn Kung-Fu not Karate, and even though I have no knowledge in the area, I am sure there is a difference. They could not make this more terrible if they tried, it’s basically laughable at how bad this sounds.
It almost seems like Hollywood is going out of their way to ruin this classic in every way possible. It also seems like Will Smith is basically just buying his son the role to help him out in his career. Smith is one of the producers, and while some girls get nosejobs as a sweet 16 present, this movie seems to be his son Jaden’s nose job. I am all for Will Smith helping out his son with his career and getting roles and producing movies. But this? This is a movie that should never be remade.
Hollywood should “sweep the leg” with this movie and can it. What do you think?
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i really loved Karate Kid movies as a child… And this, this is insulting to the memory of Pat Morita. Who on earth thinks this is actually a good idea? Kung Fu kid = better title. Reading this really makes me wanna crane kick Will Smith right in the nose.
@Charles I agree with you, it’s terrible they could actually do it. But Will Smith is in charge and of course really only did it for his son. Just a waste. Karate Kid has been on TV a lot lately and just makes me mad everytime I watch it knowing this is coming out soon.
KARATE KID 2010
I have seen the trailer and I have to admit the special effects and visual scenery will probably make this film a hit, similar scenario to the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon element. Surrounded with nature and that whole spiritual aura seems to resonate with people. However there dose seem to be a hidden eco like agenda on a political stand point with this movie. I find it interesting that Hollywood is talking about the economic frontier for China’s booming economy, or so we have been tolled, and with this film is making it seems interesting for foreign business to have negations off sore. I guess what I am saying is I am reading between the lines. America sucks come to China! Dose Hollywood even know the power of perception? Maybe that is China’s plan on how to take over the states and the WORLD MUUUUHA HA HA HA. Cough! Ok anyways it’s an interesting element to note that now Hollywood is making China look cool. Oh ya sure I would love to go to China and have my entire life on film for the governments too see. Plus have tons of censorship that makes it look like they wipe there ass with the freedom of speech legislation. Opps wait a sec doesn’t Google Earth and America do that already! Didn’t the movie 2012 have something surround to be safe from the end of the world go to China, or was it Japan! HELLO —N.W.O!
Anyways although many sequels or remakes of films that were already once in our hart and now they are poking fun at it. Like the fly seen in the karate kid is just poor taste of director perception. When we transform something such as these films into more comical depictions, or fake like cartoony perceptions for children, that might be all fun and games but I think it dilutes the messages, visual perception, and visionary work of the films that make it rawer.
Although some of these messages still stand the point of being very universal for many different kinds of situations. I find it slightly more focused in this movie then a border range of human behavioral teachings. Acting was ok, but then again I have not seen the movie and still questioning weather I should see Robin Hood or this. Ya me too Robin hood!
Not to mention how old is this kid again? He’s like 10 or maybe even younger. “Always count on daddy to get your foot in the door Mr. Jaden smith! “ At lest in the old Karate kid, no one even hard of these kids, and although I admit his abilities are extremely impressive in the new film, I suppose if you have a family that are millionaires you can afford anything and get the results, even though I have seen with my own eyes children in monk monasteries which would be more culturally appropriate, that could wop that little boys ass even younger then him, and with out any problem kick any adults but too. Plus you would be sending a positive political message like oh I don’t know….. FREE TIBET! Also when did Hollywood make it cool, and in fact encourage children to do violence. Like seriously, they are actually promoting it. Oh sure we could say it’s a competition. But so is boxing and kids get knocked out with that and get bloody. Don’t even talk to me about hockey and kids parents with that sport. Yes I am a Canadian but hockey parents suck ass. Simply put with this last sentence in the paragraph that will probably get me deleted because people hate the truth. THOSE KIDS NEED JESUS! YA I AM A CHRISTAIN DEAL WITH IT! Make sure you do not fall off your chair as you are reading this and hyperventilating at the same time.
5/10 for film. I like the spiritual elements and some of the messages of the film. I dislike the way it is perceived by the director to the other elements of the movie depiction.
please reply back to above statement cwickett@flemingc.on.ca and leave a reply message to this website I may or may not reply to it
im all fired up over this ! karate kid is a classic i mean how many times in your life time has some broke out the crane move at a party , school work etc.. and said “hey man dont mess with me i know karate ” i still see that even now in 2010 , i mean why not use the name kung-fu kid is so much more approriate karate kid came out in a certain airah when the art of karate was huge this movie is all about kung-fu i dont get it ? this is a movie you just dont touch . the only thing i could think of a reamke of karte kid would be daniel laruso as the teacher to the student . im calling for a full boycott of this movie! im sure theres alot of you out there like me who feel the same way and karate kid holds a special place in our hearts . come on i mean “hey its the 80′s” lol classic..
They are simply banking on the name “Karate Kid” and the use of a semi-talented son of a famous movie star to sell the movie. Karate and Kung Fu are NOT the same. I’m not against reinterpretations of movies…but this is way out there in left field. They probably didn’t name it ‘Kung Fu Kid’ because it sounds like a straight to video children’s movie. I have no problem with Jaden Smith (though he does look like he is a 12 year old or something), playing the part, again I have no issues with reinterpretations. And I’m sorry, but taking of your jacket and putting it back on…then off and on again, is one of the stupidest concepts I’ve heard. The whole idea in the original Karate Kid was train him without his knowledge while doing constructive chores. It made for a more interesting story when he was definitely mad about it only to find out he learned a whole set of defensive moves and didn’t even know it. But telling a kid to put his jacket on and off….idiotic. This “remake” if you can even call it that…is an insult to the original and I’d even go so far as to say a blasphemy.
@AI they are using the name since its a franchise, but I wouldn’t give Jaden the benefit of the doubt just yet. In the movie they explain why it’s Karate and not Kung Fu, so I have no issues with it. The character isn’t supposed to be in High School like the original, so that doesn’t bother me. For both of us, this makes no sense, but the original is old. There will be plenty of haters trying to see it to see what its like, and there is a complete new generation of kids who have never seen the first one who will end of seeing this. I’m curious to see what its like, but you can’t go into this movie expecting the first one.
@Mike I love the first as much as the next guy but this “remake” can’t be looked at in the same way. There are so many differences, and if you view it as a completely new movie for a completely new generation of kids, those who have never seen the original, I can understand more of why the movie is in the direction that it is.
Except that from what I’ve read its an almost word for word, or more scene for scene, with different twists to it. So it is MEANT to be like the original except without the key concepts. As I stated…I’m all for reinterpretations, but this is like making a crappy sequel to a original masterpiece. For far too long the movie production world has been ruining classics…ruining sequels and all we can do is say, well that series is ruined oh well. I’ve also read that OUTSIDE of the US, the movie actually IS being marketed as “The Kung Fu Kid”. I personally say…stick with it, if it succeeds as the Kung Fu Kid, then we’ll be quoting it for years to come. But don’t market someone as is when its obviously not.
Hello, love the Shrek movies, great movie!
What the hell, man. Not only have I just gained a hatred for a handful of people that I have otherwise enjoyed for a long time… but I just don’t get this one… Are they THAT short on ideas? That they have to re-make The Karate Kid and completely desecrate it?
I refuse to ever see this movie for any reason.
@Zak To answer your question as simple as possible….yes. Hollywood doesn’t have ideas, and what they really don’t want to do is take chances. They look at previous titles as brands, and if a brand already has a fan base, and they can exploit a younger generation, they will do so. It is easier to make, and a lot less risk. From a fans point of view it sucks, but from a business point of view, it made sense, cause the movie did well enough at the box office.
@Mithcell I love them too, just not the latest one.
@AI From what I hear, about 30 minutes in their is a line of dialogue that explains why the movie is called Karate Kid instead of Kung Fu. I’m sure it’s a weak attempt, but it’s what they give you. I agree, I’m sick of these and I know there are already a handful of other 80′s movies that are in the works for remakes. It’s easy for the studio to do and reviving a brand makes good business sense. Unfortunately the fans will suffer.
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Dis the song it the chizzed ok dnt hate on this movie!!!!!!!!……lol dis movie the truth
i luv Jaden Smith so much he my babe