This year’s Showest has been a fairly scaled-back affair. Fewer big parties, fewer movies, more business. That wasn’t the case for Sony’s presentation of The Karate Kid yesterday, however. In addition to the big lunch the studio threw for thousands of attendees, Sony was clearly in it to win it when it came to the movie’s pre-show. Some of it no doubt had to do with their very important producers, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, waiting in the wings, but even so, this elaborate introduction included drummer and cymbal players, men in masks doing acrobatics, scores of women dressed in Asian garb lining the aisles to the theater, not to mention 12 little karate kids doing their own routine. It concluded with a shower of confetti streaming from the ceiling, carefully missing the studio executives sitting in the lower level. The act looked more like something you’d see at Comic-Con than what’s become the norm at this exhibition convention.
The film itself (which releases this June) is a worthy remake of the 1984 Ralph Macchio classic, and the delegates seemed to love it. Director Harald Zwart (Pink Panther 2, Agent Cody Banks) was able to conquer the majestic scope of China, and stars Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan form a sweet bond. Smith received what is sure to be the first of many awards for his acting when he was honored with Showest breakthrough star of the year. He took the stage in his white sneakers and said, “My dad prepared a speech for me with a bunch of funny stuff in it, but I’m 11 and I’m nervous.”
Karate Kid opens June 11 opposite The A-Team, so it’s no wonder Sony is setting the stage early with exhibition, hoping for the biggest theaters when it bows opposite the action remake of the popular ’80s TV show.
UUgh…there is no way this movie will live up to the classic. And if he is being taught Kung Fu, why is it not called Kung Fu Kid? Where is the karate?
Agree, this movie looks awful. Its good to see nepotism is alive and well in Hollywood, I can picture Will Smith sitting around thinking “how do I get my son a big role…let’s remake something that does not need to be remade!” Who knows, he may push for a remake of Pretty in Pink so his daughter can star in that. NOTHING will ever replace the wonderful classic of the 80s. Smith’s ego needs to come down.
FAIL
Harald Zwart didn’t do that great with The Pink Panther 2, so I won’t be seeing it, due to his lack of effort in what would of been a great movie for Steve Martin!
yeah…there’s no karate in china!
Agreed, this should be called “The Kung Fu Kid.” Still, this movie may have some potential. The original film was actually a cheesy Afterschool Special. The story may be more believable with younger kids, and the fact that it involves a Black American kid trying to adjust to life in China brings in some heavier cultural and racial elements that did not exist in the first film. It also appears to be beautifully photographed. I’m not completely sold, but I am intrigued — and I am an assistant martial arts (Shotokan) instructor.
Yes, there is not karate in China BUT the movie is about a kid who ALREADY KNOWS KARATE going to China. When he gets there he gets picked on by the local kids and tries to defend himself using karate, they all make fun of him by calling him “The Karate Kid” then then learns kung fu and becomes on of them.
The whole “the kid already knew Karate so that’s why they call it the Karate Kid” excuse that they give is purely pathetic. It’s just an easy way to bank on a well known title to gain as much money as possible.
I think it’s completely arrogant of the studios, and Will Smith and family to think Americans will not know the difference between Karate and Kung Fu, and their places of origins. This is appalling.
Another trashy Jackie Chan film.
How much did Will Smith have to pony up to get everyone to like this film?
That poor kid cannot act.
Also, the movie is cashing in on the Karate Kid name. He does learn Kung Fu in the movie, but the bullies make fun of him early on, calling him “The Karate Kid”, hence the way to cash in on the title.
Stupid, yes.
Even dumber that I have that knowledge.
Go figure.
I whole-heartedly agree that there is NO way this can live up to the original, and I have to state now that this should in no way be called a re-make. I saw the trailer for this when I went to see the “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” movie, and it looks NOTHING like the original. A re-make would be something like Disney re-making the “Chronicles of Narnia” movies after the BBC did it in the 80′s or a modernization like “10 Things I Hate About You” being a modern re-make of “Taming of the Shrew”. This “Karate Kid” is definitely NOT “THE Karate Kid”.
I am planning on taking my mom and a few of the younger kids in the family. I mean it just looks like a movie anyone can enjoy. I feel like the original is a classic and this isn’t exactly trying to live up to those standards. It’s not a movie kids will talk about for years but it looks funny, entertaining and I’m sure it carries that “never give up” theme. It’s definitely a family summer movie.
Why don’t you just rent the original movie for your family? I’m sure it’d be 100 times better than this “remake”!
That kid creeps me out.
This reads like a press release.
Exactly, Will Smith must have friends in the critic circle.
Agreed. “Smith received what is sure to be the first of many awards for his acting…” Um, hyperbole much?
I think this is a true statement. This kid will CLEAN UP in the Kids Choice awards….
no thanks. not interested.
Speaking of remakes:
Here is that blog I’ve talked about, called “Movies They Should Make”. It’s SO funny!
http://www.moviestheyshouldmake.com/
Love your blog!/L
make the remakes stop.
Ok. you people don’t know what you are talking about. The synopsis of the story says that the boy comes to China with a little bit of karate knowledge. The kids tease him calling him the karate kid. He then learns kung fu from Mr. Han. It is called karate kid because it is a reimagining of the original so people will have a reference point. If they had called it Kung Fu kid, people would say they stole the story from Karate Kid. This way, people know it is not stolen, it is an approved remake. Get with it!
People are still saying they stole the story from the Karate Kid, and they’ve also stolen the name. The whole plot they use just to be able to call it the Karate Kid is more pathetic than it just being a rip off.
this movie is not an “approved remake.” just read an article in LA times and the original screenwriter of the Karate Kid- Robert Mark Karmen. He was not consulted in this “remake” even though they back-handingly gave him a story credit. In the article he disapproved of the new movie; particularly that of the casting of Jade Smith(Will Smiths’ son) as the lead, whom he calls a “pipsqueak” Chalk it up for hollywood and its nepotism, lack of creativity and disregard of movie goers.
The only issue I have with this movie is that Will Smith seems to be marketing his son like he’s a product. He’s already put the kid in the spotlight previously and it’s not like the kid is the next Dakota Fanning by any means. That and the rap crap music will make me stay away.