Trailer for the Karate Kid remake is out.
Gotta say, it looks pretty good. Fresh take, yet looks to be faithful to the original. Also appears to be beautifully shot.
Only nitpick is that they’re in China practicing Kung Fu, yet kept the old movie’s name.
OK, the one redeeming feature is Jackie Chan who’s perfect for this role.
Other than that…I don’t get why movies need to be remade so often. Was there something wrong with the original? Is there something new to say? Meh.
It actually looks kinda good. If I had kids I’d take them to go see it, I may rent it.
Two favorite things from the trailer: “Dude, I’m from Detroit” and the part with the fly and the chopsticks.
Looks awesome. I can’t believe it’s not wax-on-wax-off though.
Right? There was nothing wrong with the original. A genuine classic in my book. Perfect just as it is.
If they want to make a similar film, fine, but no matter how good or bad the new one is it’s never going to live up to my memories of the original.
Serious answer that I’m pulling from my arse…
I think it’s because there’s a lot of love for The Karate Kid from “my generation”, and many parents would encourage their kids to see - but the 80s production quality just isn’t there, so remake it.
And to wax all arty and quixotic, it tells a timeless tale that appeals to people - the original was a hit, why not assume the exact same story will again be a hit - just with better production values - its sure gotta be a “better” bet than coming up with a new story right?
I think it looks like a worthy remake, leaving aside the question of whether or not remakes are good in the first place.
Although I just can’t get past the fact that the setting is in China, the kid is learning kung fu…and it’s still called The Karate Kid.
Yeah, shouldn’t it be called The Kung-Fu Kid? I do like Jackie Chan in the Pat Morita role.
WHAT???
They took out the most iconic line from the movie? WTF???
And for a new generation it will be THEIR memory of the good one.
Here’s my point, when you get a bunch of people in a room that cross multiple generations ask the question: “Who’s the best James Bond?”
People of my generation will usually say Sean Connery (I’m 48 years old by the way). The next younger generation will say Pierce Brosnan, and the current generation will likely say Daniel Craig. I’m one of the few people that would rank them 1) Daniel Craig, 2) Pierce Brosnan, 3) Sean Connery.
Now this goes without saying that there are some movies that can never be duplicated. I suspect The Godfather is one of them. Oddly enough, I think you could never remake The Princess Bride. You could never remake a lot of the classics either I suppose… like Mary Poppins (although you could argue that Nanny McFee was a remake of Mary Poppins).
Doesn’t look as bad as I expected. As long as Jackie Chan stays mostly serious in the role he may be good in it. I did NOT like the replacement for Wax on Wax Off. Jacket On Jacket Off? Huh?
Are you serious? That’s what they came up with?
I may have to wage another campaign against this film, like I’ve done with other remakes. My campaign against Charlie & The Chocolate Factory was epic.
Apparently, the reasoning used within the movie is that he already knows “a little karate” and thinks it makes him tough. So he’s* mockingly* called the “Karate Kid.”
That’s what it boils down to, but it’s not quite so bad as it sounds on paper IMO.
Heh, did anyone else catch “You’re the Best” playing in the background of the fly-catching scene? Best power ballad written for a montage scene ever!
Yes, even better than the other one, IMO.
Except for the bit where Jackie Chan is telling a pre-teen boy to JACK… IT… OFF… (not much worse than WHACKS ON/WHACKS OFF I suppose). But it’s supposed to be a touching tribute, not a tribute to touching.
Other than that, the movie looks like good fun.
My ten yr old is dyin to see it already… she thinks Will Smith’s kid is SOOO cute lol
Will they work in “sweep the leg Johnny!!!” ?? Kobra F’n Kai baybeee…
Same here, very funny. That looks decent, with a more interesting storyline than the original, which I liked a lot and consider a classic, but a story set in China beats miniature golf suburbia. If nothing else, the scenery will be spectacular. Those “Painted Veil” mountains, SWOON!
Jaden Smith looks like he’s going to be able to hold his own KungFuically. He’s adorable too, just like his sister Willow. I liked him a lot in The Pursuit of Happyness with his dad.
I agree. I don’t know a lot about Kung Fu, but it uses different muscles/movements than Karate. The movements of putting a jacket on and taking it off makes sense in trying to build up specific muscle strength, and is a lot more complex and interesting. I like the change.
It’d be interesting if someone who actually knows what’s going on there would chime in.
Link to “Sweep the Leg” music video by No More Kings.