Release: 2010-06-10
Runtime: 2h 20m (140 minutes)
Twelve-year-old Dre Parker could have 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.
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Genres: Adventure, Drama, Action, Family
Cast: Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Yu Rongguang, more
Jackie Chan
as Mr. Han
Taraji P. Henson
as Sherry Parker
Yu Rongguang
as Master Li
Jaden Smith
as Dre Parker
Wenwen Han
as Meiying
Wang ZhenWei
as Cheng
Zhang Bo
as Song
Shijia Lü
as Liang
Wu Zhensu
as Meiying's Dad
Luke Carberry
as Harry
Zhao Yi
as Zhuang
Wang Ji
as Mrs. Po
Will Smith
Producer
Jada Pinkett Smith
Producer
Robert Mark Kamen
Story
Harald Zwart
Director
James Horner
Original Music Composer
Roger Pratt
Director of Photography
Dany Wolf
Executive Producer
Dany Wolf
Unit Production Manager
Ken Stovitz
Producer
Joel Negron
Editor
Han Sanping
Executive Producer
Doug Coleman
Second Unit Director
Twelve-year-old Dre Parker could have 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.
A Challenge He Never Imagined. A Teacher He Never Expected.
The Karate Kid, released on June 11, 2010, is a martial arts drama directed by Harald Zwart. This film, which serves as a remake of the 1984 classic, stars Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. Chan plays Mr. Han, a kung fu master who mentors 12-year-old Dre Parker, portrayed by Smith. The movie takes place in Beijing, China, and follows Dre as he learns self-defense while facing a local bully.
The story begins when Dre Parker and his mother, Sherry, move from Detroit to Beijing for a new job. Struggling to fit in, Dre quickly becomes a target for a local bully named Cheng. After a series of confrontations, Dre seeks the help of Mr. Han, who not only teaches him kung fu but also imparts valuable life lessons about perseverance and self-control.
The film was shot in various locations around Beijing, including notable sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. The production began in July 2009 and wrapped up in October of the same year. The film's score was composed by the late James Horner, marking his return to film composition after his work on Avatar in 2009.
Box Office Success
The Karate Kid was a commercial success, grossing approximately $359 million worldwide against a budget of $40 million. It topped box office charts in its opening weekend, making $56 million in North America alone. This impressive performance made it the highest-grossing film in the Karate Kid franchise.
Critical Reception
Audience reactions were positive as well, with CinemaScore indicating an average grade of "A," the highest rating in the franchise. Critics emphasized the chemistry between Smith and Chan, contributing to the film's overall appeal.
Future of the Franchise
For fans of martial arts films and inspiring stories of resilience, The Karate Kid is a worthwhile watch. It captures the essence of growth through adversity, making it a modern classic in its own right.
