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THE KARATE KID (2010)Movie Reviews
Drama about a 12 year-old boy who moves to China and with the help of an unassuming kung fu master, learns the martial art to keep from being bullied. Cast:Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. HensonDirector:Harald ZwartRelease Date:June 11, 2010DVD Release:October 5, 2010From:Columbia PicturesRating:PGLength:2 hr. 20 min.
The Karate Kid (2010) played to good not great reviews. • Clint O'Connor wrote in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, "...accomplished, old-fashioned... With one heartfelt performance, Jaden Smith can drop the 'Will Smith's son' designation and stand alone as an impressive young actor." • And Joe Williams wrote in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "...we can't help cheering, even when we know we've been sucker-punched." More Reviews Below...
The Karate Kid (2010) Positive Reviews (44 Reviews, reviews below)
Alynda Wheat, People: VERY GOOD(cg) "It was smart to move the 'Karate Kid' to China.... a fresh yet faithful update of the '84 original, even down to the cute crush on a classmate..."(See all of Alynda Wheat's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 120 words, 06/10/10
Christy Lemire, Associated Press: MODERATE(cg) "Chan has decent chemistry with Smith. But things are awkward between Smith and Wenwen Han, the Chinese version of Elisabeth Shue's Ali-with-an-I."(See all of Christy Lemire's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 809 words, 06/10/10
Thelma Adams, Us Weekly: MODERATE(cg) "...the unfocused bloated 140-minute action flick takes too long to reach the final, frenzied tournament.... will only work for children with long attention spans."(See all of Thelma Adams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 75 words, 06/10/10
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: VERY GOOD(cg) "...fun, and believable, on the most important level: It convinces us that Jaden Smith has what it takes to fight his way to the top."(See all of Owen Gleiberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 583 words, 06/11/10
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The problem with the film is that that story, hackneyed when it first made it to the screen in 1984, has grown only more tired over the past 26 years."(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,069 words, 06/09/10
Roger Ebert, RogerEbert.com: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a lovely and well-made film that stands on its own feet. The Chinese locations add visual interest and the characters are once again engaging."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 738 words, 06/10/10
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: GOOD "...hits more than it misses, with its fresh prince of Beijing in Jaden Smith, its scene-stealing grand master flash, Jackie Chan, and a shiny-happy China travelogue..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 828 words, 06/11/10
Kyle Smith, New York Post: WEAK(cg) "Where is the fun? Zwart's poky direction offers no flash, not even cheap Michael Bay tactics, to mask the flaws of a thin script."(See all of Kyle Smith's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 663 words, 06/11/10
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...it's back to training montages and storytelling basics, designed to mold Smith's Dre into a worthy adversary for the kung fu punks led by Wang Zhenwei's malignant Cheng."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 549 words, 06/11/10
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a lovely and well-made film that stands on its own feet. The Chinese locations add visual interest and the characters are once again engaging."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 738 words, 06/10/10
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: WEAK(cg) "...just a matter of marking time -- lots of it -- before the fists and feet start flying. The picture is also saddled with crass tourism."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 713 words, 06/11/10
Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe & Mail: MODERATE(cg) "...follows the predictable path from humiliation to humility to a climactic showdown, complete with a deciding slow-motion kick."(See all of Liam Lacey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 656 words, 06/11/10
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...brings fresh life and perspective to the classic tale... thanks to Harald Zwart's sensitive direction and two exceptionally appealing stars."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 471 words, 06/11/10
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle/San Francisco Chronicle: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a fine, fun remake of a movie that updates, transplants and re-imagines the original without sacrificing its heart or goofy charm."(See all of Amy Biancolli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 536 words, 06/11/10
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: MODERATE(cg) "It's not an improvement over the equally violent original.... a slick, polished re-boot and re-setting of a fondly-remembered film franchise of the past..."(See all of Roger Moore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 533 words, 06/11/10
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: MODERATE(cg) "...feels like a big-budget audition reel for sweet, miscast Jaden Smith... A storm cloud of calculation overhangs the whole enterprise."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 252 words, 06/11/10
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Does the movie have anything new to say, anything different from John G. Avildsen's 1984 original, with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita? Not particularly."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 556 words, 06/11/10
Nancy Churnin, Dallas Morning News: VERY GOOD(cg) "...does improve on the original in both visuals and sounds with its riveting kung fu moves and lingering attention to the natural beauties."(See all of Nancy Churnin's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 556 words, 06/11/10
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...achieves its depth the old-fashioned way, with characters struggling and maturing.... has its share of pleasures, both kicking and contemplative."(See all of Lisa Kennedy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 607 words, 06/11/10
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: VERY GOOD(cg) "Jaden Smith carries this oversize production ably and almost solely on his small shoulders.... he conveys the hopes and fears of an actual kid..."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 824 words, 06/11/10
Clint O'Connor, Cleveland Plain-Dealer: EXCELLENT(cg) "...accomplished, old-fashioned... With one heartfelt performance, Jaden Smith can drop the 'Will Smith's son' designation and stand alone as an impressive young actor."(See all of Clint O'Connor's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 386 words, 06/11/10
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "As revivals go, this one is well-above-average by dint of its intelligent reappraisal of major elements in the first movie."(See all of Tom Keogh's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 474 words, 06/11/10
Mike Russell, Portland Oregonian: VERY GOOD(cg) "...charming, thoughtfully paced and even a bit emotionally involving, with what might be a movie-star turn by a movie star's son.... this movie plays."(See all of Mike Russell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 345 words, 06/11/10
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: VERY GOOD(cg) "We get a privileged glimpse of the contemplative kung-fu tradition that produced the great Chan... we can't help cheering, even when we know we've been sucker-punched."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 353 words, 06/11/10
Steve Persall, St. Petersburg Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...irresistibly feel-good... buoyed by heartland values (even if it's China's heartland) and sport as a metaphor for life. A bit cheesy, to be sure, but so was the 1984 original."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 573 words, 06/10/10
Brett Michel, Boston Phoenix: VERY GOOD(cg) "...we have Jaden Smith as Dre Parker, who finds himself in China when his single mother (Taraji P. Henson, a hit in an underwritten part) gets a job there."(See all of Brett Michel's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 143 words, 06/10/10
Scott Tobias, AV Club: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "That the film works as well as it does -- as an attractive, rousing time-passer for children -- speaks more to the endurance of a good formula than its revitalization."(See all of Scott Tobias's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 392 words, 06/10/10
Edward Adams, Atlanta Creative Loafing: EXCELLENT(cg) "Jackie Chan goes above and beyond to deliver surprisingly compassionate and powerful acting akin to his predecessor in the same role."(See all of Edward Adams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 627 words, 06/10/10
HIGHBROW PRESS (3 Reviews)
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: FAIR "Jaden is endearing in his own way, and the abstract notion of Jackie Chan in Pat Norita's role of the wise mentor almost obscures the reality of Mr. Chan's zonked performance..."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 224 words, 06/11/10
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: GOOD "...hits more than it misses, with its fresh prince of Beijing in Jaden Smith, its scene-stealing grand master flash, Jackie Chan, and a shiny-happy China travelogue..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 828 words, 06/11/10
MOVIE INDUSTRY (6 Reviews)
Justin Chang, Daily Variety: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...its appeal rests on the flexed shoulders of its lead actors, both of whom have the unenviable task of stepping into iconic roles and acquit themselves reasonably well."(See all of Justin Chang's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,023 words, 06/04/10
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: FAIR "...manages to be longer and bigger-budgeted than the original while having lesser impact.... much of the original's charm has been lost."(See all of Frank Scheck's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 571 words, 06/03/10
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: GOOD "...hits more than it misses, with its fresh prince of Beijing in Jaden Smith, its scene-stealing grand master flash, Jackie Chan, and a shiny-happy China travelogue..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 828 words, 06/11/10
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: MODERATE(cg) "...a mindless, by-the-numbers flick, which may please very young and indiscriminating kids but will not linger long in anyone's memory."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 833 words, 06/06/10
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: FAIR "Jaden is endearing in his own way, and the abstract notion of Jackie Chan in Pat Norita's role of the wise mentor almost obscures the reality of Mr. Chan's zonked performance..."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 224 words, 06/11/10
17.3 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
The Karate Kid (2010)'s reviews are separated by an average 17.3 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
The Karate Kid (2010) (44 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:The Karate Kid (2010)'s reviews cover 90.1% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 23,409 words involume (average is 20,172 words). Length:The film's reviews average 532 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 10.4 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
The Karate Kid (2010)'s reviews on average broke 10.4 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is The Karate Kid (2010)'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
The Karate Kid (2010) (44 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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