Karate Kid (2010) Review Thread (Spoilers)

[Dotpattern]

Originally Posted by DeeChizzle

I think many have forgotten that Pat Morita was nominated for best supporting actor for his role as Mr. Miyagi in the first Karate Kid.

Seriously, I've lost a lot of respect for Will Smith. At least have the decency to find a kid who can act.

Whenever I hear "The Karate Kid" the first thing I think of is that wonderful scene where Miyagi is drunk on the anniversary of the death of his wife and son...and the connection he feels for Daniel becomes so clear. I just can't imagine how Jackie Chan could pull off a scene like that.

[Ofcrlunchbox14]

Originally Posted by fletchlives

Someone needs to sweep the leg of the producers on this one and leave a classic movie be. We do need the original on blu asap though.

is karate kid really a classic? i mean, i have fond memories of watching the movie as a kid, and doing fight moves with my friends, but a classic movie...i dont know. sure i would probably watch it for a while if it was on tv, but i wouldn't go out and buy it. i totaly agree that hollywood is so out of original ideas its not even funny. escape to witch mountain is comming out this summer and one of my favorites as a kid. i look at the previews and cant help but think how awful it looks. it seems like hollywood has a mathmatical formula that they follow for movies, and you can predict the stupid changes that they make to the "updated" version. im sure will smiths kid will be a smart ass in the remake of KK, or something else stupd... i feel like an old man who needs to take a nap complaining all the time

[drobswim13]

Originally Posted by Dotpattern

Whenever I hear "The Karate Kid" the first thing I think of is that wonderful scene where Miyagi is drunk on the anniversary of the death of his wife and son...and the connection he feels for Daniel becomes so clear. I just can't imagine how Jackie Chan could pull off a scene like that.

Everybody is so "spot on" on this thread!! I cannot agree more with Ralph Macchio here. Even though the first one was the best one, I really liked the second one (almost as much as the first). 3 and 4 I can do without. But to remake this movie is complete BS and Hollywood/Will Smith should be ashamed. Not to mention the fact that Will and his wife are pushing there kids into acting which I think is wrong to begin with (but that is another topic).

All in all, I will never see this movie and it will never enter my house, period.

[statikcat]

Originally Posted by Dotpattern

Whenever I hear "The Karate Kid" the first thing I think of is that wonderful scene where Miyagi is drunk on the anniversary of the death of his wife and son...and the connection he feels for Daniel becomes so clear. I just can't imagine how Jackie Chan could pull off a scene like that.

Chan wanted to break into drama acting LONG time ago but just got stuck in the action flicks. He has only had a few dramatic roles but I have seen him a do a good job and I think he is possibly one of the better options. However, this movie will still suck. Some movies from the 80s are special just because they are 80s. You can't recreate that. Plus, Will Smith son is annoying and sucks. Didn't Will Smith used to be cool? Or maybe not since Fresh Prince

[kevinbr100]

yes its a classic, and any "remake" that is made before at least another 20 years goes by, straight to video, then straight to the $5 bin

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by Ofcrlunchbox14

is karate kid really a classic? i mean, i have fond memories of watching the movie as a kid, and doing fight moves with my friends, but a classic movie...i dont know.

It's a classic, and it's not up for debate.

[STARSCREAM]

Yep, its a classic. There are so many 80's movies that are just classics.

[Afrobean]

Originally Posted by kdn1221

The best part about the Karate Kid series was Mr. Miyagi. I don't see how they can replace the character.

Are they replacing the character? I heard Jackie Chan was going to be playing the character. Same character, different actor.

This is another example of someone who happens to be a big name star trying to get more mileage out of his fame. Will Smith, like many other stars before him, is milking his fame. He may be good in many films but not in all films. His recent movie, Hancock, is an example of a mediocre spin on the superhero genre.

Irrelevant to the topic. Reasons for why Will Smith might want such a remake to be made have nothing to do with how the final film will be. Will Smith's film career is completely irrelevant here, and this is no time to be bashing one of his more recent films just because you didn't enjoy it. It is irrelevant.

To try and find a vehicle for his son by attempting a remake of a classic movie isn't good. He should find something that is different if that's what he wants to do.

I agree, but this is also irrelevant.

I don't mind updating certain films if it's the right mix. However, Mr. Miyagi is an integral part of the Karate Kid franchise and I can't think of anyone who could fill his shoes.

I think Jackie Chan is capable enough. The issue of him being Chinese is a little weird, but most Americans can't tell the difference, and really, I think it's kind of racist if someone thinks that a Chinese person shouldn't be able to play a Japanese character.

I mean, think of it this way. Say they're doing a movie set in Germany. You don't think it's absurd to say that all of the German characters MUST be played by German actors? You don't think that a British man might be able to pass for German?

Can you personally identify the specific facial structures that can let you know whether a person is of Germanic or Scandinavian descent? Chinese or Korean? British or Irish?

I also don't like the idea that a lot of the older films with white characters get remade and have their ethnic or gender changed. You should always stay with the original intent and create new and interesting characters.

You are a racist if you think ethnicities cannot ever be changed. If they wanted to change Miyagi to Chin and make the story about teaching kung fu instead of karate, would you be mad?

Did you see Daredevil? Wilson Fisk is White in the comics, but for the film, they made him Black. I think it works well. Did you see Iron Man? In the comics, Nick Fury is a White man, but they changed his race for the Ultimate continuity and the film character is based on that iteration. I think it works well. Races for characters can often be changed on the fly because race DOES NOT MAKE A CHARACTER.

A character's race need not be set in stone. There are some places where it would be, but in the case of Miyagi, he can just as easily be an old Chinese martial arts master as an old Japanese martial arts master. Or hell, he can be a Japanese martial arts master who is being played by a Chinese actor. I assure you the average person doesn't know the difference if you don't tell them. I'd wager the average person can't even tell the distinction between the term "kung fu" and "karate".

What would happen if the Lord of the Rings had been done with a black cast? What would the Chronicles of Narnia be like if the director didn't stay true to the source material? What would you call the Pevensie children? Their names would have to change as well.

The old-man martial arts master archetype needn't be specifically Japanese. To say that he must be Japanese is entirely racist.

Sometimes the ethnicity that was originally envision is the right one for the film property.

Right, but sometimes it doesn't matter, and sometimes it can be improved. Personally, I really like Kingpin and Nick Fury being Black, at least so far as the particular actors in question do it. It really doesn't matter for all characters.

But Jackie Chan is so washed up that having him play Mr.Miyagi is a shame to the character

Are you familiar with Pat Morita's work before The Karate Kid? Yeah, he should have gotten dozens of acting awards for his take as Arnold on Happy Days.

Jackie Chan isn't a terrible actor. You guys just are unable to give him a chance.

[Crim122]

Originally Posted by Afrobean

Jackie Chan isn't a terrible actor. You guys just are unable to give him a chance.

He isnt a good actor either, he is corny...he used to be a respectable martial arts action star, now he is nothing in my eyes.

[(Fe)Man]

Will Smith is really starting to pi$$ me off. He's making crappy movies and putting his son in even crappier movies. The Fresh Prince is becoming awfully stale.

[HKMOVIESAREBEST]

Originally Posted by Crim122

He isnt a good actor either, he is corny...he used to be a respectable martial arts action star, now he is nothing in my eyes.

Check out his new film before making quick judgments about Jackie Shinjuku Incident

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

Yep, its a classic. There are so many 80's movies that are just classics.

+1

[Crim122]

Originally Posted by HKMOVIESAREBEST

Check out his new film before making quick judgments about Jackie Shinjuku Incident


+1

I will check out the trailer when I get home, hopefully it is good.

[gtmorgan23]

without getting so in depth, I just think they should just leave well enough alone.

[clownface]

Originally Posted by Blu-Curry

If Jackie Chan can do justice to playing Mr. Miyagi... then i'd consider it.

I like Jackie Chan too but I don't think he has the chops to fill Pat Morita's shoes. There were moments in that film where Morita showed a quite kind of power and compassion that not every actor can display.

[naturephoto1]

I think that they should just leave the franchise in peace and not make anymore films, remake or otherwise.

Rich

[drobswim13]

Originally Posted by Afrobean

You are a racist if you think ethnicities cannot ever be changed. If they wanted to change Miyagi to Chin and make the story about teaching kung fu instead of karate, would you be mad?

No, you are not a racist. That is not racism, if you even know what that word truly means. Trying to keep ethnicities the same is only trying to keep with the story the way it is meant to be told. We had that discussion about a black James Bond awhile back and I am totally against that because it starts to steer well away from Fleming's books (even though I know many of the movies have in plot). The fact is that changing ethinicities of certain characters is a personal preference and most people like to stay true to the original film.

[Lacit170]

A character's race need not be set in stone. There are some places where it would be, but in the case of Miyagi, he can just as easily be an old Chinese martial arts master as an old Japanese martial arts master. Or hell, he can be a Japanese martial arts master who is being played by a Chinese actor. I assure you the average person doesn't know the difference if you don't tell them. I'd wager the average person can't even tell the distinction between the term "kung fu" and "karate".


The old-man martial arts master archetype needn't be specifically Japanese. To say that he must be Japanese is entirely racist.


Right, but sometimes it doesn't matter, and sometimes it can be improved. Personally, I really like Kingpin and Nick Fury being Black, at least so far as the particular actors in question do it. It really doesn't matter for all characters.


YOU ARE ANNOYING..... for you entire blurb and comments on EVERYTHING people have to say....

[Blue_Blood]

Originally Posted by Afrobean

Are they replacing the character? I heard Jackie Chan was going to be playing the character. Same character, different actor.


Irrelevant to the topic. Reasons for why Will Smith might want such a remake to be made have nothing to do with how the final film will be. Will Smith's film career is completely irrelevant here, and this is no time to be bashing one of his more recent films just because you didn't enjoy it. It is irrelevant.


I agree, but this is also irrelevant.


I think Jackie Chan is capable enough. The issue of him being Chinese is a little weird, but most Americans can't tell the difference, and really, I think it's kind of racist if someone thinks that a Chinese person shouldn't be able to play a Japanese character.

I mean, think of it this way. Say they're doing a movie set in Germany. You don't think it's absurd to say that all of the German characters MUST be played by German actors? You don't think that a British man might be able to pass for German?

Can you personally identify the specific facial structures that can let you know whether a person is of Germanic or Scandinavian descent? Chinese or Korean? British or Irish?


You are a racist if you think ethnicities cannot ever be changed. If they wanted to change Miyagi to Chin and make the story about teaching kung fu instead of karate, would you be mad?

Did you see Daredevil? Wilson Fisk is White in the comics, but for the film, they made him Black. I think it works well. Did you see Iron Man? In the comics, Nick Fury is a White man, but they changed his race for the Ultimate continuity and the film character is based on that iteration. I think it works well. Races for characters can often be changed on the fly because race DOES NOT MAKE A CHARACTER.

A character's race need not be set in stone. There are some places where it would be, but in the case of Miyagi, he can just as easily be an old Chinese martial arts master as an old Japanese martial arts master. Or hell, he can be a Japanese martial arts master who is being played by a Chinese actor. I assure you the average person doesn't know the difference if you don't tell them. I'd wager the average person can't even tell the distinction between the term "kung fu" and "karate".


The old-man martial arts master archetype needn't be specifically Japanese. To say that he must be Japanese is entirely racist.


Right, but sometimes it doesn't matter, and sometimes it can be improved. Personally, I really like Kingpin and Nick Fury being Black, at least so far as the particular actors in question do it. It really doesn't matter for all characters.


Are you familiar with Pat Morita's work before The Karate Kid? Yeah, he should have gotten dozens of acting awards for his take as Arnold on Happy Days.

Jackie Chan isn't a terrible actor. You guys just are unable to give him a chance.

Is this Will Smith? ^^^^^^

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by Crim122

About time someone within the system comes out and tells it like it really is, to bad he is not really a big name and can get it pushed

But Jackie Chan is so washed up that having him play Mr.Miyagi is a shame to the character

Jackie Chan is washed up?

I'm sorry, I'm not sure if I can take your posts seriously anymore.

I do agree though that this movie should NOT be made.

Logan

[lobo81865]

I like Jackie Chan, and loved him in The Forbidden Kingdom, but I wil NOT be going to see this one. Not sure if I'll even rent it.