Culture is overrated.
The Karate Kid... movie... remake thing. Discussion and Spoilers
- Thread starter Trekker4747
- Start date
Culture is overrated.
So, pretty much all of them... right. Anyway, Halloween II isn't a remake, at least I haven't seen it be considered as such...
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/karate-kid-opens-no-1-with-56-million-kick-ap
My god. 56 million. Number One. I have lost faith in Hollywood, now. I never thought I would say it. I'm always the optomist. I always think, 'Come on. People won't really fall for this garbage would they? I mean, The Karate Kid is a classic. It would be like remaking Caddyshack, or Ghostbusters.' Well, after this weekend they are possible contenders in studios minds. We'll never get a proper sequel to GB now. Get ready for the waves of remakes, and celebs buying movies for their kids. Thanks Will Smith. I don't want to hear any complaints about any kind of sequels, remakes, or reboots now. Are you ready? Prepare for Back to the Future starring Lourdes and Maddox (Madonna, and Angelina Jolie's kids)In this version, they travel to the mid 60s, and bring pop/techno music to the hippies. And who is Doc Brown you ask? Jack Black. Or John Meyer. Cameos by The Beatles, Jim Morrison, and Andy Worhol are bound.
My god. 56 million. Number One. I have lost faith in Hollywood, now. I never thought I would say it. I'm always the optomist. I always think, 'Come on. People won't really fall for this garbage would they? I mean, The Karate Kid is a classic. It would be like remaking Caddyshack, or Ghostbusters.' Well, after this weekend they are possible contenders in studios minds. We'll never get a proper sequel to GB now. Get ready for the waves of remakes, and celebs buying movies for their kids. Thanks Will Smith. I don't want to hear any complaints about any kind of sequels, remakes, or reboots now. Are you ready? Prepare for Back to the Future starring Lourdes and Maddox (Madonna, and Angelina Jolie's kids)In this version, they travel to the mid 60s, and bring pop/techno music to the hippies. And who is Doc Brown you ask? Jack Black. Or John Meyer. Cameos by The Beatles, Jim Morrison, and Andy Worhol are bound.
It's true.I always got suckered in by the name. From now on, if it's not original, or a continuation of a series I'll pass.
Theater I saw the movie at broke out in applause at the end. Can't buy that kind of satisfaction.
As for the "culture" crack directed at me... whatever. Still don't care. "Kung Fu Kid" doesn't work like "Karate Kid." Nitpick, nitpick. Of all the things to harp on, I was surprised by this.
It's called branding. If they had set it in Korea, I would not have expected them to have called it "Tae Kwon Do Kid" either.
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Seriously, get a life.
The problem with remakes isn't that they are remakes per say, it's that they normally suck.
What makes you think I don't have a life? I have an opinion. I think it sucks they remade The Karate Kid. A movie that never needed a remake. A remake that people are saying it's superior to the original. Impossible. If they remade Blade Runner I'd feel the same way. I may have gone a tad over the top, but my opinion is still the same.
Your opinion is of a movie that you have no intention of seeing. You can criticize the concept, but to attack the performances as you have done makes you look childish.
This role required more emotion and subtlety than I have seen Jackie Chan offer in the past. He really did a wonderful job.
This role required more emotion and subtlety than I have seen Jackie Chan offer in the past. He really did a wonderful job.
Eh, I got the gist from the trailer. All I need to do is add 2hrs and 48 minutes of it.
this is where i stopped reading. The Karate Kid is not a classic. Citizen Kane is a classic. Gone with the Wind is a classic. Schindler's List is a classic. Karate Kid is not a classic. it's a movie you grew up with in the 80's. it's a good movie. but it certainly isn't perfect, and certainly can be made again for kids growing up now.
Checkmate
Commodore
Yesssss... embrace your blatant ignorance... becomes one with it... make it your bitch..... yessssssssssss........
And this is why this movie will do well. Because of ignorance like this.
This just helps to further the notion that all Asian people are the same. Hey, who gives a shit if they have completely different languages, histories and culture...they all have black hair and squinty eyes so they must all be the same, right? Who cares about getting the little details correct.
Never mind that someone going into a movie called The Karate Kid and then sees the kid learn kung fu would be like going to a movie called The Football Kid and see someone learn rugby. They shouldn't be upset though, right? I mean, it's just a game played by some white people...it's all the same, so fuck it. Right? Is the main character a Scot, a Brit or an Irishman? Does it matter? They're all the same, right?
I trained in traditional Okinawan karate for over 10 years...a style very similar to the one taught by Mr. Miagi in the original. It's insulting even to me to have the styles treated with such little respect as if they're one and the same.
How hard would it have been to make the setting Japan or Okinawa (if they really had to mix thing up by moving the setting from Southern California)? If all Asians are the same in Hollywood's eyes, why should it matter that Chan isn't Japanese? They didn't care that John Cho is Korean cast as Japanese character in Star Trek. At least the title of the damn movie would be accurate.
Or..here's a thought...leave the original alone and come up with something new for a change.
Dusty Ayres
Commodore
If you're trying to imply that Citizen Kane, Gone with the Wind, and Schindler's List are so sacred that they can't be remade, all I have to say is 'BULLSHIT!'
NOTHING is so sacred that it can't be remade; plays certainly are not, and neither should movies be. If I want to remake Citizen Kane, and I have the money, time, pluck and talent to do so, I'll do so. The same goes for any so-called 'classic' film out there, especially originals like Citizen Kane.
I urge those who hold art to this kind of sacredness to rent a documentary (RiP: A Remix Manifesto) and see what the true nature of art really is, instead of this sacred treatment of art that makes it inaccessible to new generations.
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If it wasn't a classic, why would they bother with the idea at all? I mean, they wouldn't remake High Fidelity (Hey, I like this movie, just using an example) because it could speak to a new generation. They'd pick a biggie. Like Robocop, or The Terminator. And if you think they wouldn't remake Schindler's list 20 years from now or less, dream on. Citezen Kane could be done today. Gone with the Wind has already been remade as a TV mini-series. Because you fell into the studio's trap anything can be remade now.
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Hey, you know it's true. I bet the acting doesn't go beyond the 2 minute trailer for this movie. The evidence: All they showed were quips, and smart ass remarks by the kid. Remember the full trailer for Star Trek? They showed full ranges of acting, dialogue, and character interaction. All we got with Karate Kid was, 'You're Yoda, and I'm like a Jedi.' That one quip turned me off completely from the movie. The original came out a year after Jedi, and didn't rely on crappy puns at the time.
Karate Kid - 1984 Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDi3an8WgN4
Listen to all that dialogue, plot points, and even a hint at the humor established in the movie. Now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRXOacHWth8&feature=fvw
Okay, about a minute and a half is all footage. Who are the good guys, who are the bad guys? Bareley any acting at all. We see no glimps of the John Kreese like character. All we are focused on is how kewl Jaden Smith looks doing Kara...I mean Kung Fu.
Just for Shits-and-Giggles, here's the Karate Kid Part II trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-OggSDNlcU&feature=related
You see Daniel growing in strength. New problems. Tougher challenges. Real combat. Even though it's bareley established, you know who the bad guys, and good guys are. Still I believe would be better than Kung Fu Kid. My belief stands. I don't need to see the movie to know that.
In conclusion, I'm not gonna comment anymore on this. Clearly I'm outgunned on people who acutally like the movie. I for one would rather watch paint dry, but whatever. One day, a remake will come along, and you'll understand what I feel. You'll feel the sting when Jaws, or Raiders of the Lost Ark is remade. You won't need to see it when you just know in your heart it'll be bad. Until then, cheers!
The only test of this movie's staying power is, 10 years from now, when people mention Karate Kid, which one will they say: Jacket on, Jacket off, or Wax on, Wax Off?
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The Original Karate Kid movie is good... for its time. But watch it now and it's just filled with '80s cornball bullshit and broad ethnic sterotypes. (Ralph Macchio I'm looking at you) Comeon, there's time I can't help but think-of/watch the scene with the "bullies" dressed as skeletons coming up to kick Daniel's ass. The movie is pretty much a paint-by-the-numbers '80s teen movie schlock. New kid, bullies, girl he really likes, wise teacher who helps him out, etc. I like the movie, it's good, but it's too much a product of its time and it shows.
I'm going to see the new one/remake this afternoon. Comparing it to the original, IMHO, is unfair to this movie. Because other than the general theme and the title it's a different movie. If it had been named anything else but "The Karate Kid" people wouldn't be getting their knickers all in a twist about this.
Yeah, it's really amazing how much production designs, editing, and trailer creation has changed over the last 20 years. And, I'm sure you know this, that different people make the trailers from the people who made the movie.
Don't want to see this movie because it's a remake? Fine.
Don't want to see this movie because you don't like the actors or BTS crew? Fine.
But to judge and grade and criticize the movie based solely on how it's been sold, reviewed and marketed is just ignorance personified.
Oh, and if you're coing to critique trailers on what they do and do not reveal, you should really use the THEATRICAL TRAILER rather than the teaser.
I'm going to see the new one/remake this afternoon. Comparing it to the original, IMHO, is unfair to this movie. Because other than the general theme and the title it's a different movie. If it had been named anything else but "The Karate Kid" people wouldn't be getting their knickers all in a twist about this.
Yeah, it's really amazing how much production designs, editing, and trailer creation has changed over the last 20 years. And, I'm sure you know this, that different people make the trailers from the people who made the movie.
Don't want to see this movie because it's a remake? Fine.
Don't want to see this movie because you don't like the actors or BTS crew? Fine.
But to judge and grade and criticize the movie based solely on how it's been sold, reviewed and marketed is just ignorance personified.
Oh, and if you're coing to critique trailers on what they do and do not reveal, you should really use the THEATRICAL TRAILER rather than the teaser.
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The Karate Kid
Rated: PG
For the purposes of the poll: Excellent.
My Grade: A-
--------------------------------------------------
It's been a few years since I've seen the original The Karate Kid but near as I can remember this movie follows the original almost note-for-note. That being said, it wouldn't be fair to compare this movie to the original. Frankly, the original isn't that good. Instead I'd compare this move to the original Rocky. That's right, I said Rocky.
The original The Karate Kid is '80s teen-movie cheese. It's good for what that is, but come-on, it was hardly high-brown dramatic awesome. It stars Ralph Macchio for crying out loud.
This "remake" takes the original move and gives it a nice main-line of drama, heart and passion. There will be times in this movie where you'll want to cheer, clap and applaud as our main character reaches his goals kicks ass. And Jackie Chan you'll be looking at him and going... "This man can act?!" Seriously, the guy is good any "Oscar Talk" isn't hyperbole I could realistically sea a nomination. Jaden Smith is the spitting image of his charismatic father and, honestly, could probably out-act him. This is another young Hollywood up-comer for us to watch.
The movie starts off as Dre (played by Will Smith's son Jaden) and his mother are moving out of the Detroit (?) apartment, Dre marks off his height on a door-jam where other marks have been made throughout his life including accomplishments as his first steps, his words, his first day at school and his father dying. Dren's mother has taken a job in China and two are moving there much to the dislike of Dre.
When they arrive Dre has a rough time as he doesn't speak the language and as a result he has a hard time talking to people and watching TV, he does find friendship in a young girl in his class who can speak English, unfortunately, another boy in his school has an interest in her as well -or has tasked himself with protecting her because their families are close- and Dre and Cheng quickly get in a fight when Dre gets his ass handed to him and unfortunately has brought on the wrath of Cheng and his posse of bullies who're all in an advanced Kung-Fu class with a instructor who enforces an "offensive" style of Kung-Fu. Dre enlists to aide of his apartment's maintenance man Mr. Han to help him with the bullies, Chen ends up getting the bullies off Dren's back but at the cost of Dre having to compete in an upcoming open Kun-Fu tourney.
So Han begins training Dre in a slightly Myagian-sytle of "defensive" Kung-Fu, Han himself, a reclusive man, also shows some inner struggles.
The movie does the training/fight montages very, very well and also builds the friendship between Han and Dre well too in a very Daniel/Myagi-ian way but it's given an ounce of two of depth in heart in the final fighting/training scene following a powerful dramatic moment featuring Chan. The plot, the characters and things along those lines in this movie are very improved over the original. I've got nothing bad to say about any of that. What knocks this movie do is that it's slightly over-produced and under-edited. This thing is like the Second-Unit Director's Cut. Too many establishing shots or moments where really nothing is happening, this excludes the fighting/training montages but this movie is, perhaps, a bit longer than it needs to be.
The theater I saw this in was pretty full, considering it was mid-afternoon on a weekday, and everyone -including myself- applauded at the end, it's that good. There were times during the fighting scenes where I wanted to clap, pump a fist, or do something along those lines. All of their performances are great and, well, go see this movie. You're not likely to regret it.
Rated: PG
For the purposes of the poll: Excellent.
My Grade: A-
--------------------------------------------------
It's been a few years since I've seen the original The Karate Kid but near as I can remember this movie follows the original almost note-for-note. That being said, it wouldn't be fair to compare this movie to the original. Frankly, the original isn't that good. Instead I'd compare this move to the original Rocky. That's right, I said Rocky.
The original The Karate Kid is '80s teen-movie cheese. It's good for what that is, but come-on, it was hardly high-brown dramatic awesome. It stars Ralph Macchio for crying out loud.
This "remake" takes the original move and gives it a nice main-line of drama, heart and passion. There will be times in this movie where you'll want to cheer, clap and applaud as our main character reaches his goals kicks ass. And Jackie Chan you'll be looking at him and going... "This man can act?!" Seriously, the guy is good any "Oscar Talk" isn't hyperbole I could realistically sea a nomination. Jaden Smith is the spitting image of his charismatic father and, honestly, could probably out-act him. This is another young Hollywood up-comer for us to watch.
The movie starts off as Dre (played by Will Smith's son Jaden) and his mother are moving out of the Detroit (?) apartment, Dre marks off his height on a door-jam where other marks have been made throughout his life including accomplishments as his first steps, his words, his first day at school and his father dying. Dren's mother has taken a job in China and two are moving there much to the dislike of Dre.
When they arrive Dre has a rough time as he doesn't speak the language and as a result he has a hard time talking to people and watching TV, he does find friendship in a young girl in his class who can speak English, unfortunately, another boy in his school has an interest in her as well -or has tasked himself with protecting her because their families are close- and Dre and Cheng quickly get in a fight when Dre gets his ass handed to him and unfortunately has brought on the wrath of Cheng and his posse of bullies who're all in an advanced Kung-Fu class with a instructor who enforces an "offensive" style of Kung-Fu. Dre enlists to aide of his apartment's maintenance man Mr. Han to help him with the bullies, Chen ends up getting the bullies off Dren's back but at the cost of Dre having to compete in an upcoming open Kun-Fu tourney.
So Han begins training Dre in a slightly Myagian-sytle of "defensive" Kung-Fu, Han himself, a reclusive man, also shows some inner struggles.
The movie does the training/fight montages very, very well and also builds the friendship between Han and Dre well too in a very Daniel/Myagi-ian way but it's given an ounce of two of depth in heart in the final fighting/training scene following a powerful dramatic moment featuring Chan. The plot, the characters and things along those lines in this movie are very improved over the original. I've got nothing bad to say about any of that. What knocks this movie do is that it's slightly over-produced and under-edited. This thing is like the Second-Unit Director's Cut. Too many establishing shots or moments where really nothing is happening, this excludes the fighting/training montages but this movie is, perhaps, a bit longer than it needs to be.
The theater I saw this in was pretty full, considering it was mid-afternoon on a weekday, and everyone -including myself- applauded at the end, it's that good. There were times during the fighting scenes where I wanted to clap, pump a fist, or do something along those lines. All of their performances are great and, well, go see this movie. You're not likely to regret it.
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