When it was announced that The Karate Kid (1984) would be remade, many fans of the original were skeptical. The 1984 classic, starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, was a defining film of the 1980s, telling the story of underdog Daniel LaRusso’s journey from bullied outsider to karate champion. The 2010 remake, directed by Harald Zwart and starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, took the core story but moved it from California to China, replacing karate with kung fu.

While The Karate Kid (2010) is visually stunning and features solid performances—particularly from Jackie Chan—it struggles with pacing issues and never quite captures the charm of the original. This review will analyze its strengths and weaknesses to determine whether it stands as a worthy successor to the classic.

The Story: A Familiar Journey in a New Setting

The 2010 Karate Kid follows a nearly identical structure to the original, but with some key changes. Instead of moving to California, 12-year-old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) relocates from Detroit to Beijing, China, due to his mother’s job transfer. Like Daniel LaRusso before him, Dre struggles to fit in and quickly becomes the target of bullies, particularly Cheng (Zhenwei Wang), a highly skilled kung fu student.

Dre finds an unlikely mentor in Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), a reclusive maintenance worker who secretly possesses deep kung fu knowledge. Han agrees to train Dre for a kung fu tournament where he can stand up to his tormentors. Through his training, Dre learns discipline, perseverance, and respect.

The biggest difference between the two films is the setting and martial art. The move to China gives the film a fresh backdrop, and replacing karate with kung fu adds authenticity, as kung fu is more deeply rooted in Chinese culture. However, the change also raises a key issue—why is the movie still called The Karate Kid when it has nothing to do with karate?

The Performances: Jackie Chan Steals the Show

One of the strongest elements of The Karate Kid (2010) is Jackie Chan’s performance as Mr. Han. Known primarily for his action-comedy roles, Chan delivers a surprisingly emotional and restrained performance. Unlike Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), who was wise but playful, Mr. Han is more reserved and haunted by his past.

A standout moment in the film is when Dre discovers Han’s tragic backstory—his wife and child died in a car accident, and he has lived with the guilt ever since. This revelation adds layers to his character and makes his mentorship of Dre feel more personal. Chan proves that he is not just an action star but a talented actor capable of conveying deep emotion.

Jaden Smith, on the other hand, delivers a decent but inconsistent performance. While he excels in the physical aspects of the role—his kung fu training is impressive—his acting sometimes feels forced, particularly in emotional scenes. At times, he struggles to make Dre as likable or sympathetic as Daniel LaRusso was in the original.

Taraji P. Henson plays Dre’s mother, Sherry Parker. While she brings warmth to the role, she is given little to do beyond the typical supportive parent clichés. Similarly, Dre’s love interest, Meiying (Wenwen Han), adds a subplot that feels underdeveloped compared to Daniel and Ali’s relationship in the original.

The Training Sequences: A Fresh Take on a Classic Formula

One of the most beloved aspects of The Karate Kid (1984) was Mr. Miyagi’s unconventional training methods, such as “wax on, wax off” and “paint the fence.” These exercises seemed meaningless at first but later revealed themselves to be essential to Daniel’s fighting technique.

The remake keeps this idea but modifies it to fit Chinese culture. Instead of waxing cars, Mr. Han teaches Dre by making him repeatedly take off and put on his jacket. While the concept works, it lacks the iconic simplicity of the original training scenes. The repeated “jacket on, jacket off” phrase doesn’t have the same ring as “wax on, wax off.”

However, the training sequences are visually engaging, thanks to the film’s stunning cinematography. The scenes where Dre trains at the Wudang Mountains add an epic quality, making his journey feel even grander than Daniel’s. The inclusion of real martial arts philosophy also enhances the film’s authenticity.

The Action: More Intense, But Does It Fit?

The fight choreography in The Karate Kid (2010) is much more elaborate than in the original. Jaden Smith underwent extensive martial arts training, and his skills are evident in the fight scenes. The tournament sequences are well-executed, featuring impressive kung fu moves and dynamic cinematography.

However, the increased intensity of the fights creates a tonal issue. In the original, Daniel LaRusso was a teenager fighting other teenagers, making the fights feel like realistic schoolyard conflicts. In the remake, Dre is 12 years old, yet he is performing high-level kung fu against opponents who seem far more advanced. The brutality of some of the bullying scenes also feels uncomfortable, as watching preteens fight this aggressively feels different from watching older teenagers in the original.

Additionally, the final move—Dre’s one-legged kick—tries to replicate the iconic crane kick from the 1984 film but doesn’t have the same impact. While visually impressive, it lacks the buildup and emotional weight that made the crane kick legendary.

The Weak Points: A Bloated Runtime and Unnecessary Romance

One of the biggest flaws of The Karate Kid (2010) is its length. At 140 minutes, it is significantly longer than the original, yet it doesn’t justify the extra runtime. Some scenes drag on, particularly those focusing on Dre’s romance with Meiying.

While the original had a romance subplot, it felt more natural. In the remake, Dre’s interactions with Meiying slow the film down without adding much to the story. Given that both characters are much younger than Daniel and Ali were in the original, their romance feels less necessary.

Another issue is the film’s reliance on clichés. While the original was full of classic moments, it never felt overly predictable. The remake, however, follows the same beats so closely that it becomes formulaic.

Final Verdict: A Solid Remake, But Not a Replacement

The Karate Kid (2010) is a visually stunning and well-acted remake that brings a fresh perspective to the classic story. Jackie Chan delivers one of his best performances, and the film successfully integrates Chinese culture into the narrative. The fight choreography is impressive, and the setting adds a new dimension to the story.

However, the film suffers from pacing issues, a less compelling lead performance, and a tone that doesn’t always fit. While it introduces kung fu to a new generation, it lacks the heart and timeless charm of the original.

Final Rating: 7/10

For those who have never seen the original, The Karate Kid (2010) is an enjoyable and well-made film. But for longtime fans, it serves as a reminder that some classics don’t need to be remade. The 1984 Karate Kid remains the definitive version, but this remake is still a respectable effort that introduces the story to a new audience.