The Karate Kid
Dir: Harald Zwart
2010
***
Its length is a bit indulgent but overall this is a pretty good remake/re-telling. All the changes they made were right. Taking the story out of America was a good move. There are nods to the original film but nothing is copied as such. I know some people don't like it because they love the original but they would be more angry if 'Wax on, wax off' was there instead of 'Jacket on, Jacket off' (which actually seems to make more sense). I think Smith was a little too young for the role though, Ralph Macchio was twenty something when he played the Kid. That said, he obviously learnt his stuff and worked hard at it, so well done to him. Pat Morita's Mr Miyagi is a legend, so what better choice than another legend like Jackie Chan. All round, I thought it was a really good remake of a film that didn't need a remake.