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Poster for The Karate Kid

The Karate Kid

A challenge he never imagined. A teacher he never expected.

2010 · 2h 20m · PG Action, Adventure, Drama, Family
Directed by Harald Zwart

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Overview

12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying but the cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make him an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is a kung fu master. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
65%
Tomatometer
Fresh

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.

Dana Stevens, Slate
Rotten

The latest "The Karate Kid" will probably work best for young audiences unaware of its predecessor - or of much of anything else for that matter.

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
Rotten

It's not as good as the 1984 version. I say that not just out of nostalgia, but because I think that that was a more satisfying drama.

A.O. Scott, At the Movies
Fresh

If the movie's overlong (and it is, by about 20 minutes), it's long for a reason: It gives Dre time to grow.

Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle
Rotten

The script follows the predictable path from humiliation to humility to a climactic showdown, complete with a deciding slow-motion kick.

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

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