The martial arts style has changed, the setting has moved across the globe, and car-washing and fence-painting have been replaced by hanging up a jacket – but essentially the plot remains the same. The 2010 re-envisioning of “The Karate Kid” does tweak and update a few elements that might feel a little dated in the original 1984 feature, but no real surprises are thrown into the script. Both Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan make magnetic and compelling heroes, and the action, drama, and suspense have been honed and modernized to squeeze the most out of the audiences’ emotional attachment to these characters. But can they possibly top the performances from the original? It’s a lot more “Rocky” and a lot less ‘80s music, but outside of the cultural changes and the age differences, one does have to wonder about the reasoning behind remaking a movie of such classic caliber.
The Karate Kid was theatrically released in the United States on June 22, 1984. ... The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $130 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1984 and Hollywood's biggest sleeper hit of the year.
