Why the 2010 Karate Kid is Secretly the Best in the Franchise

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When it came to rating all five Karate Kid films, I placed the first one in the top spot since I believe in delivering what people enjoy most. Although The Karate Kid Part II and III have their dedicated followers, and The Next Karate Kid is a movie that’s out there, it’s clear that everyone has a soft spot for the original film.

Contrarily, it’s common knowledge that few consider the 2010 version of “The Karate Kid,” starring Jaden Smith, as the top movie in the series. However, I have a secret opinion that the headline might have hinted at – I believe it is my favorite.

With the imminent release of the “Karate Kid Legends” (which looked fantastic at CinemaCon), I find this moment perfect for extolling the virtues of the 2010 Karate Kid film.

I Actually Like Jaden Smith’s Character Better Than Ralph Macchio’s

Previously, we compiled a list of the most ruthless antagonists from the ‘Karate Kid’ series, and as anticipated, several characters who fit the bill were included, including John Kreese, Johnny Lawrence, and Terry Silver.

Despite not fully agreeing with the notion that Daniel LaRusso is the true antagonist as suggested in some online discussions, it’s fair to say that Daniel isn’t the most endearing hero. For instance, in “The Karate Kid Part II,” he queries his mentor, Mr. Miyagi, about why he doesn’t take John Kreese’s life when given an opportunity. To clarify, Daniel questions a man of peace about the intentional killing of another human being.

To put it another way, there’s some doubt about whether Daniel truly has good intentions when it comes to karate. However, let me clarify that the character who doesn’t harbor any malicious intent is Dre Parker, portrayed by Jaden Smith, known for his role as the headpiece-wearing star of Castle. Similar to Daniel, Dre encounters challenges because he’s an outsider, this time in China instead of California. Likewise, both characters get into trouble due to their romantic interests.

To clarify, Dre’s most questionable actions in the film are seen when he splashes dirty water on some troublemakers and persuades a girl he has feelings for to skip school for a day. Interestingly, he doesn’t initiate a physical fight with his bully, and it seems that he may be open to the idea that people can transform over time.

To be honest, Dre appears to be the type of youngster who shuns confrontation, yet he’s firm when faced with it, which I admire. As for Daniel-san, I’m not confident I can say the same.

To Be Really Honest, I Also Prefer Jackie Chan As A Mentor Over Pat Morita

Jackie Chan is undeniably legendary. His films were a significant part of my childhood, and I continue to pass on that tradition by sharing them with my kids as well. Truly, he stands as a cinematic icon.

Indeed, it’s quite fascinating to observe how an iconic action hero from our past has evolved into portraying the seasoned, wise elder character.

Without intending any disrespect to Pat Morita, who was fantastic in the Karate Kid films, I have to admit that I can’t imagine him taking down everyone in a room if given the chance. However, Jackie Chan, based on my observations from other movies, is definitely capable of such feats – that’s how I know him.

Additionally, I find Jackie Chan’s portrayal of Mr. Han more appealing compared to Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. Despite the fact that both characters share a troubled past and serve as father figures for Daniel and Dre, my preference leans towards Mr. Han.

In truth, I find myself drawn more towards Jackie Chan, due to my extensive history of watching his films. To put it another way, much like Dre, Jackie Chan has been a part of my upbringing. As a result, I simply prefer him over others. It’s a matter of personal taste, I understand, but this piece is intended to express just that.

The Stakes Also Feel Higher In The 2010 Film

In a roundabout way, I initiated the discussion on my preference for Dre over Daniel, but it seems like Daniel often creates his own difficulties. While it’s not right that he’s bullied by Cobra Kai members, he might want to focus more on his own affairs, particularly when relocating to a new neighborhood.

In the film, Daniel is portrayed as a teenager who will soon be 18. Given this, it seems reasonable to assume that he could have made wiser choices, or at least avoided actions like spraying water at Johnny as retaliation. This is because, in many ways, I don’t feel sympathy when Daniel gets beaten up in the first movie. To some extent, it appears he had it coming.

I don’t share that perspective regarding Dre. Here’s why: Firstly, Dre is just 12 years old, which means it’s normal for him to make mistakes, such as retaliating against his bully by throwing dirty water. Secondly, considering the circumstances he finds himself in – moving to a new continent and witnessing the trauma of his mentor, Mr. Han, who has shown signs of distress like damaging the car where his wife and child were killed – I believe it’s understandable for him to act as he does. It’s a lot for anyone, especially a 12-year-old, to handle.

Ultimately, it appears that the competition itself holds greater significance for Dre, as its structure mirrors that of the initial Karate Kid film. However, unlike Daniel, Dre, being an outsider, seems to find solace and happiness primarily in China. In contrast, I believe Daniel could manage, even if he didn’t win the tournament or continued to face bullying (after all, he ended up with a car, allowing him to escape his troubles).

To me, the 2010 film carries a greater sense of urgency for the character Dre, which I appreciate. In fact, I find myself favoring this movie over others.

I Also Like The China Setting

Although I’ve never visited China personally and have no plans to do so, movies offer a fascinating glimpse into the country. Interestingly, Chinese audiences seem to appreciate our films as well, even if some of their favorite titles raise eyebrows. Since my travel plans don’t include China, I find it intriguing to watch characters explore places like Beijing, which was where 2010’s “The Karate Kid” was set.

In this fantastic location, it’s apparent that young Dre finds himself out of his comfort zone, as he was previously a resident of Detroit, Michigan. However, due to the collapse of the automobile industry, his mother was forced to relocate them to a new place.

In addition, what I appreciate in this movie is the depicted aspect. Originally, Daniel shifted his residence from Newark, New Jersey (Yay for Jersey!), to Los Angeles, California. However, as someone who has visited both cities, I must admit that neither location feels particularly exotic to me. Moving Daniel between these places does alter the setting, but not in a manner comparable to how Detroit contrasts with China.

Indeed, the solitude that Danny experiences in China during The Karate Kid Part II significantly intensifies the narrative’s conflict. While Daniel is accompanied by Mr. Miyagi in Japan, Dre finds himself largely on his own in China. This leaves him grappling with a strange new environment, especially since his mother is working most of the time. This sense of isolation and uncertainty certainly heightens the overall tension of the storyline.

To me, it seems that among all the settings in this series, China stands out as the most captivating one. Moreover, this choice makes “The Karate Kid” movie my personal favorite for yet another reason.

Finally, And Perhaps Most Controversially, I Prefer Kung Fu To Karate

I enclosed “The Karate Kid” within quotes earlier because the title is actually misleading, as the movie doesn’t focus on karate, a martial art originating from Japan. Instead, it centers around kung fu, a form of martial arts that originates from China. That’s why “Part II” was set in Okinawa.

In reality, what we knew as “The Karate Kid” from 2010 wasn’t called that in China. Instead, it was dubbed “Kung Fu Dream”. This is fitting because the movie was primarily known as “The Karate Kid” in America, where the title was already well-known. However, the 2010 film loosely replicated the events of the original one.

However, my personal preference leans towards kung fu over karate, without intending any disrespect to Japan or its rich cultural heritage, which I greatly admire, including the legendary Godzilla. To be honest, I’ve never found karate particularly engaging; in fact, it even feels dull in the original Karate Kid movies, as the fighting scenes have never been my favorite aspect of those films, especially in the first four installments.

In contrast, the fighting sequences in the 2010 movie are fantastic. The graceful movements and martial arts displayed captivate me, elevating the film in my opinion because I find these action scenes truly engaging. To me, they’re all top-notch.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve shared my thoughts extensively about the 2010 movie, but I’m curious to know if others share my affection for it. I’m eagerly waiting to hear your perspectives on this film that resonated deeply with me.

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2025-04-30 21:11