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About this movie

Genres:
Action & Adventure, Family, Mystery & Suspense
Language:
English
Running time:
1:29:07
Partner rating:
YELLOWV
Released:
Quality:
480 (DVD equivalent)

Cast & Crew

Cast

  1. Charles Lane
  2. Jaden Smith Dre Parker
  3. Jackie Chan Mr. Han
  4. Taraji P. Henson Sherry Parker
  5. Wenwen Han Meiying
  6. Rongguang Yu Master Li
  7. Zhensu Wu Meiying's Dad
  8. Zhiheng Wang Meiying's Mom
  9. Zhenwei Wang Cheng
  10. Jared Minns Dre's Detroit Friend
  11. Shijia Lü Liang
  12. Yi Zhao Zhuang
  13. Bo Zhang Song
  14. Luke Carberry Harry
  15. Cameron Hillman Mark
  16. Ghye Samuel Brown Oz
  17. Rocky Shi Ur Dang
  18. Wang Ji Mrs. Po
  19. Harry Van Gorkum Music Instructor
  20. Tess Liu History Teacher

Directors

  1. Curtis Hansen
  2. Harald Zwart

Producers

  1. Karate Kids Co.
  2. Jada Pinkett Smith
  3. Will Smith
  4. Ken Stovitz
  5. Jerry Weintraub
  6. James Lassiter

Writers

  1. Charles Lane

Karate Kids USA

When a 12-year-old from Detroit moves to China with his mother and incurs the wrath of the class bully at his new school, he makes an unlikely ally in the form of his aging maintenance man, a kung fu master who teaches him the secrets to self-defense. Upon arriving at his new school, Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) develops a powerful crush on pretty classmate Mei Ying. The feeling is mutual, although the cultural divide between Dre and Mei Ying makes a friendship unlikely, and romance impossible. When cruel classmate and kung fu prodigy Cheng learns of Dre's feelings for Mei Ying, he harasses and humiliates the young outsider in front of the entire school. With no one to turn to for help, Dre confides his fears in kindly maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), a kung fu master who knows that serenity and maturity -- not punches and power -- are the true keys to mastering the martial arts. As Dre prepares to face down his intimidating tormentor, he begins to realize that the real fight is just beginning.

Reviews by Rotten Tomatoes

Scored 'fresh' by Rotten Tomatoes

67%Tomatometer score: 67% positive reviews from professional critics.

percent positive reviews

  1. Positive review
    Sukhdev Sandhu, Daily Telegraph There's life in this franchise yet. Full review External link
  2. Positive review
    James White, Empire Magazine Smith might be the focus, but while he's got the charisma and the moves, it's Chan who makes it punch above its weight. Nice scenery too. Full review External link
  3. Positive review
    Sandra Hall, Sydney Morning Herald The story's good intentions survive, largely because of Chan's way of tenderising his approach to martial arts with humour and humility. Full review External link
  4. Positive review
    Dana Stevens, Slate It's as sweet-natured a movie as you could expect about a 12-year-old learning to beat the crap out of his schoolmates. Full review External link
  5. Negative review
    Luke Goodsell, Empire Magazine Australasia A two-and-a-half hour vanity vehicle for a smug showbiz kid yet to show signs of his executive producer dad's charisma. Wax pretty off. Full review External link
  6. Negative review
    Ben McEachen, Sunday Times (Australia) The new Karate Kid runs with the original's underdog structure, mixed with on-screen fights and words of wisdom, but major changes rip the heart out of what was a touching coming-of-age journey anyone could relate to. Full review External link
  7. Negative review
    Jake Wilson, The Age (Australia) The film becomes less interesting as the predictable climax approaches, and the acting isn't strong enough to redeem the tired material. Full review External link

Read more reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

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