Karate Kid
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Rated: PG
Release Date: 6/11/2010
Running Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
When Dre Parker’s mom gets a company transfer from Detroit to Beijing, China, his life changes—drastically. Suddenly confronted with a new home, a new school, a new language, new friends, and new enemies, Dre realizes that his new country is going to require a lot of adjustments. After becoming the target for the neighborhood bullies, Dre feels he has two choices: hide or learn to defend himself. When he’s rescued by the mysterious, kung-fu-savvy hotel maintenance man, Mr. Han, Dre begs him for help learning kung fu for self-defense. However, with Mr. Han’s quirky teaching methods, and with a kung fu tournament looming in his future, Dre wonders what he’s gotten himself into . . .
What I liked about this movie:
In my opinion, there is something to be said for the self-discipline and respect Dre learns from his kung fu training. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit, and one of those fruits is “self-control.” People learn and cultivate self-control in many ways; Dre, in the movie, learns it through kung fu training.
Dre’s friend, Mei Ying, also shows a huge amount of dedication and discipline in her effort to be the best musician she can be. Did you know that the musicians in the Bible who played at the temple were “skilled musicians”? That means they learned and practiced so they could bring their absolute best in worship to God (1 Chronicles 25:7). Wouldn’t it be a huge honor to God if the worship leaders at every church took their musical offering to God seriously enough to dedicate and discipline themselves to be the best they could be?
As the story progresses, Dre finds a mentor in Mr. Han, who defends him against the bullies and agrees to train him in the art of kung fu. When the group of bullies tries to attack him, Mr. Han reacts in such a way that the bullies end up accidentally fighting each other instead of their intended target. That reminds me of a time when God did kind of the same thing as Mr. Han—check it out in Judges 7:22!
I really like the advice Mr. Han gives Dre: “Life may knock us down, but no matter. We can choose to get back up.” It’s easy to say and harder to actually do, but this motto can help motivate us to keep going even when life is difficult. After all, Psalm 23:4 says, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” I guess that means if we find ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death, or any other difficult circumstance, we’re supposed to keep walking, not give up and stay there!
What concerned me about this movie:
OK, so since the movie is Karate Kid, you are expecting some violence, right? There is violence in the beginning of the movie—the bullies literally don’t pull any punches when putting Dre in his place—and of course, there’s kung fu fighting during the showdown at the end of the movie. There’s a strong indication in the movie, however, that violence isn’t the answer; even Dre’s teacher tells him, “Kung fu is not to create war; it’s to create peace.”
Dre has a bit of an attitude and is disrespectful to his mother and some other older people in the movie; however this behavior doesn’t gain him any applause—by the end of his training, he learns obedience and respect.
In the movie, Dre tells a few evasive lies. Doesn’t it make you nervous to watch someone tell a lie? People who lie always have to cover their tracks; people who tell the truth don’t have to worry about remembering anything except what really happened. John 8:44 says that the devil is the father of lies, and there’s no truth in him. Jesus, though, is the truth (John 14:16). Which one would you rather be like?
At one point in the movie, Dre decides to take revenge on the boys who bully him. In the process, he destroys property and ends up causing more trouble than he had to begin with!
There were some references to luck, ancient Chinese healing therapies, chi or eternal energy, magic, yin and yang symbolism, and a situation where a woman sort of hypnotized a snake. These were not huge issues in the movie, but they were present, so I’m mentioning them. There were also a handful of language instances, but they were addressed as inappropriate, and they didn’t continue throughout the movie.
At one point, Dre and Mei Ling play with a dance “machine” and the dancing is a wee bit suggestive, especially because the machine says, “You’re hot!” when Mei Ling is finished dancing.
While I’m not making recommendations for whether or not you should see this movie (that’s for you and your parents to decide!), here are some “thinking” questions:
1. In the movie, Dre Parker is a target for bullies who like to dump his cafeteria tray, intimidate him, and beat him up, which is why he wants to learn self-defense. In Matthew 5:39, Jesus says, “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Does that mean that God doesn’t want us to defend ourselves when we are attacked? Check out Exodus 22:2; Ecclesiastes 4:12; Luke 6:22-36.
2. Obviously, a movie called Karate Kid has fighting in it. While most of us would agree that fighting is not the answer, are there occasions when fighting is appropriate? A lot of people think of angels as shiny beings that sit on clouds and play golden harps . . . but did you know that Psalm 103:20 talks about angels that “excel in strength” and that God has “armies of angels” (Luke 2:13; Revelation 19:19)? Check out a couple situations where angels who “excel in strength” were not exactly playing harps: Revelation 12:7-9; Daniel 10:10-14.
3. In Karate Kid, Dre Parker feels pretty out of place in China after leaving behind his friends, his school, and everything familiar in Detroit. Have you ever felt out of place or like you didn’t really belong? The heroes of the Bible apparently knew exactly how that feels! Find out why in Hebrews 11:13-16. How do you respond in situations where you don’t fit in?
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Nickname: n/a
to: cowgirl4ever. u should c it . i thought it was good. it couldve added a little something 2 make it more exciting during the trainging but other than that i thought it was cool. i took karate and i was good 2-i stopped when i was an orane belt... i wish i could do it again.
Nickname: iheartJesus101
um i was reading down through the comments and i saw what viper70x7 had posted. i thought i might let him(her?) kno why they call it karate kid since it is kung fu. at least i think this is why. (if anyone else knows otherwise feel free to post it) it is because the original karate kid (made in 1984) was actually about karate. they took the og (original) version and made this karate kid.
(the og version took place in california, while this one is in china where they normally do kung fu)
Nickname: nfvv
cool
Nickname: Ally1018
I loved the movie karate kid and I did realize some things were related to the bible. I didnt think they did that purposely though.
Nickname: $$$ cha-ching $$$
thanks a ton Mels. you the real beat!
Nickname: foofoo
I saw the movie! I thought it was really good.
Nickname: Millie
I watched it cuz of Jaden smith ! <3
Nickname: Tasha
I am as well a Pastor's Kid as someone mentioned themselves above. The chinese remedy i think goes more down the line of chemistry/ physics and not really something demonic or superstitious. As for Jayden going in a tornament to fight was not what it is perceived in the preview. I think you would really have to watch the movie cause when i did, it was not about him fighting because they beat him up so le learned karate to beat the guys up in return. But inorder to gain respect from them. Because during the movie that is what the little boy (Jayden) wanted to do which was beat them up for beating him up but Jackie Chang refused to teach him karate because of that reason because Karate is not for fighting back but for self defense when you may end up in the situation of getting mugged, raped etc, as well as in relation to chinese: to gain respect.
In my case, no bad words were heard or seen in the movie that i watched so i cant comment about that one.
I do believe that you should
Nickname: jay
I often seen the movie in Office Depot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and there is a new one called The New Karate Kid. hhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeellllllllllllllllllllllppppppppppppppp
Nickname: gushers123
hey guys its not to get in a controversy its to NOT to go with the letter of the law but the spirit of the law...
Nickname: Cowgirl 4ever
It sounds better than some movies! i might think about seeing it! :)
Nickname: Jabez
I've been thinking....& I really like to learn kun fu! I like how they (or atleast the ones i've seen) teach...
& how their so wise & understand nature.
I feel like i can find myself there.
Srry i have a hard time explaining myself..
But is it possible of a christian to learn such things...
To protect and defend people...not to fight...
Looking at the bible David was a man of war. Many other heroes were...
What to do, What to do?
Nickname: guidereader
I wathced the movie but when the bad words were said i tryed not to pay attention
Nickname: Ray-Ray
This message is to SHADY123468 the bible does not CLEARLY say that u should NOT go to the movie theater in that case then we should not go 2 SIX FLAGS, OR DISNEY WORLD. So, u really r not to go anywhere entertaining right? But, i understand if its really bad like TWILIGHT. im not tryin 2 b mean but it isnt true. other examples: WII, DS,DSI,CELLPHONES,AND TV R UNGODLY STUPID RIGHT SAME PRINCAPALS. it is bacically what u r doing. So, try reading the bible and understanding it a little more closer, no efence. its k im a pastors daughter its not that i no more than u im trying 2 help u.
Nickname: mikki
I just want to see it because of Jayden Smith Lol
Nickname: JisforJamie&Jesus
Ipersonally loved the movie. Yes there were parts that were against our beliefs but they were not mentioned throughout the whole movie as it is said in the review. Also the theme is about not letting people get to you, and learning to stand up again after you fall. That's exactly what God helps us to do. And that is why I think this movie was great.
Nickname: jjboyracer
I watched this movie :) it's awsome I'm a jackie chan fan 8)
Nickname: InoEVERYTHIN
i ♥ this movie...no matter wat u thin...kk???!!
Nickname: Shady123468
We as Adventist are not to be watching movies period whether it's good or bad cause in the bible it has a text that suas whatever is TRUE whatever is lovely.....think on these things this movie is not true.....and even real life movies it contains drama and plays and the spirit of prophecy warns us against these things.
Nickname: karate kid 101
I really want 2 c that movie but i have see the sneak peek
Nickname: stephoo
it was an awesome movie .... there is barely suppose to bee concerns..(my opinions) jaden smith(karate kid ) sings this song with justing bieber which is called never say never and its the theme for karate kid movie it says never say never even if you are down get back up and face the world like it is!
I wouldnt rate it bad in parts of the movie he felt like giving up his teacher helped him and with his obedience to his mother . even in the last little fighting parts when he was injured HE GOT BACK UP bc thtt was his goal to not give up and keep on trying even if it hurts ! isnt thtt a good msg .... i mean yeah for meh i guess ... i made meh cry in sum parts bc the man thtt was teaching him ...his family had dies..... Dres dad had died tooo ...before the movie...and the way his classmates (the bullie) treated him ... it was horrible !! and thtt does happens in real life ppl get hurt and even killed for the kolor of thier skin or their race !! its not right !!! in another part the g
Nickname: 54rtff
seems intresting
Nickname: paratrooper61
my cousin saw this movie he said it was alright but i dont want to watch though
Nickname: rampy77
i saw it on my 14th birthday and it was really great
Nickname: AC Jones
I love Jackie Chan! Jaden Smith is gonna be as great as Will Smith!
Nickname: iceface7
i really wanna see this, and since it is rated PG instead of PG13 like the other ones its just another reason. the concerns are small and not so relevant so i think this will be a good movie.
Nickname: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
This movie rocked but after reading what was above made me relize that dis movie is meaningful to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nickname: delluser
It look like there were more concerns than likes.
Nickname: iluvcheese
well i really wanna see that movie. and with those scriptures to support it i think that that will be a good movie!!!
Nickname: Angie
It sounds like a decent movie. Maybe I'll watch it.
Nickname: frieman123
I moved 4 times to 3 different states
Nickname: Ej
i saw the movie a few days ago it was ok. maybe 4.5 out of 5
Nickname: Kung fu fighting
It's awesome!!!!P.s. I have the elastibrain book it rocks!!!8) :3
Nickname: baronboy
i loved this movie
Nickname: christina98
well at first i wanted to see it when i saw the preview but now i don't really know because my parents don't like movies with some fighting i'll have to think about it
Nickname: viper70x7
i just saw it in theaters and it was really good. this one had way less language than the original karate kid movie. also this movie was about kung fu, not karate. no idea y they called it karate kid.
Nickname: i heart Jesus
my friend saw this movie; he said it was awesome! i am so going to see it.
