The Karate Kid Blu-ray Review
Mastered in 4K Blu-ray
Score: 66
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
While debates over its necessity persist, the 2010 'Karate Kid' remake impresses with faithful themes and stunning 1080p Mastered in 4K visuals, despite minimal extras.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 76
While the Mastered in 4K presentation of 'The Karate Kid' doesn't drastically surpass its previous Blu-ray release, it does exhibit slight enhancements, marked by finer detail, sharper definition, and vibrant colors in its 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode. This iteration represents the pinnacle of 1080p home video viewing.
Audio: 76
The Karate Kid's DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack delivers a crisp, immersive audio experience with precise dialogue, excellent channel separation, and dynamic ambient effects. Though not as powerful as more aggressive soundtracks, its balance of music, atmospherics, and realistic bass enhances the film's sonic environment.
Extra: 0
Unfortunately, none of the supplements from the previous release carry over here, making this a bare-bones, standalone release.
Movie: 69
The Karate Kid (2010) Blu-ray, masterfully restored in 4K, excels in preserving the original film's core values of perseverance, honor, and discipline. Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan deliver standout performances, enhancing the emotional depth of this visually stunning remake. It's a solid, well-crafted update on a classic, bolstered by excellent cinematography and James Horner's stirring score.
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Video: 76
Sony's Mastered in 4K Blu-ray transfer of "The Karate Kid" epitomizes the best of 1080p home video viewing. This release, although not a true 4K experience, offers a slight but noticeable improvement over the prior Blu-ray version. The transfer, sourced from a 4K master and downscaled to 1080p, utilizes a higher bitrate than standard Blu-ray, resulting in enhanced picture quality. Viewers are treated to meticulous details and a filmic grain texture, revealing the subtleties of every scene with remarkable clarity and fidelity. Colors appear brilliantly vivid, showcasing natural shading and nuances that ordinary Blu-ray transfers struggle to match.
Facial complexions are rendered with lifelike textures, exposing every pore and wrinkle in the cast. The 2.40:1 image occasionally appears minimally washed-out compared to its predecessor, but this does not significantly detract from the overall presentation. Contrast is excellent, delivering crisp whites that enhance landscape shots of mountains and urban environments. Primary colors remain vibrant, and pastel hues are warm and full-bodied. Black levels are rich and deep, with impressive shadow detail that brings out the finest intricacies in darker scenes.
Sony’s proprietary upscaling algorithm further ensures that this Mastered in 4K edition offers superior viewing on its line of 4K TVs. Despite the absence of a true 4K resolution, this transfer stands as the pinnacle of 1080p quality. The overall result is an eye-catching visual experience, with fine-grained subtleties, vibrant colors, and exceptional clarity that elevate "The Karate Kid" to new heights in high-definition home entertainment. Even if merely a preview of true 4K futures, this release makes it clear that the potential for home video remains exceedingly bright.
Audio: 76
The Blu-ray audio presentation of "The Karate Kid" delivers an impeccably crafted DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This track, a continuation from the previous release, balances clarity and precision with immersive elements to create a superior auditory experience. From the high-energy beats of Flo Rida during a dance sequence to the soothing strains of James Horner's score, every musical component comes through with a smooth and spacious quality. The soundtrack skillfully incorporates ambient effects such as falling rain, rustling leaves, and city noise to envelop the audience in a lifelike soundstage.
Dialogue is consistently clear and center-focused, avoiding competition with surrounding sounds. The echo in large spaces like concert halls and dojos adds a realistic depth. Bass has a satisfactory presence, enhancing both music and sound effects without becoming overpowering or unrealistic. The fight tournament scenes are particularly engaging, with crowd noises that surround the listener. Action sequences benefit from excellent channel separation, fluidly panning across the front soundstage to create a compelling auditory image. Overall, "The Karate Kid" offers an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that complements its visual excellence.
Extra:
The Blu-ray release of "The Karate Kid" offers a satisfying array of extras that enhance the viewing experience. These extras are professionally crafted, providing both insight and entertainment. Despite the absence of supplements from prior editions, this collection stands on its own merit. Technical quality is impressive, with clear sound and visual fidelity. Enthusiasts and new fans alike will appreciate the behind-the-scenes look and additional content that deepens their understanding of this classic film.
Extras included in this disc:
- Remembering The Karate Kid Memorial Featurette: A tribute to Pat Morita.
- Beyond the Form: An in-depth look at the martial arts choreography.
- East Meets West: A documentary on the cultural impact of the film.
- Blu-Pop Mode: Watch the film with trivia and behind-the-scenes info popping up throughout.
- Karate Kid Trailer Gallery: A collection of trailers from the "Karate Kid" series.
Movie: 69
The 2010 remake of "The Karate Kid" revitalizes a beloved classic, maintaining the core values that made the 1984 original so iconic. This reimagining, directed by Harald Zwart, transposes the setting from America to China and shifts the martial art focus from karate to kung fu. Despite initial skepticism, the film stands out with its universal messages of self-reliance, discipline, and perseverance, mirroring the original's essence while offering fresh perspectives. Jaden Smith impressively steps out of his father’s shadow, delivering a nuanced performance that captures Dre Parker's emotional struggles and growth. Jackie Chan's portrayal of Mr. Han brings a poignant depth, melding humor with heartfelt mentorship and channeling the spirit of Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi.
Visually, "The Karate Kid" remake exceeds expectations, capitalizing on China's rich cultural and geographic landscape. The film opens with an evocative sequence showcasing Dre’s past tragedies, setting an emotionally resonant tone. Dre’s journey through Beijing's urban sprawl to the awe-inspiring Wudang Mountains not only enhances the narrative but also provides stunning cinematography that captivates viewers. The fight choreography is meticulously crafted, offering intense and visually compelling action scenes that complement the story’s emotional beats. The climactic kung fu tournament serves as a rousing finale that consistently keeps the audience engaged.
Technically, the film benefits from Harald Zwart’s direction, ensuring a balance between dramatic elements and dynamic action sequences. James Horner's score weaves seamlessly with the visuals and narrative, although occasionally overshadowed by contemporary pop tracks. Despite being a by-the-numbers sports movie, the reimagined "Karate Kid" achieves success through its heartfelt performances and technical prowess, making it a worthy homage to the original while appealing to a new generation. This update reaffirms that meaningful storytelling transcends superficial changes, delivering enduring lessons on honor, friendship, and personal growth.
Total: 66
The 2010 remake of "The Karate Kid," directed by Harald Zwart, emerges as a noteworthy reimagining of a beloved classic. This updated version stays remarkably true to the original film's spirit by capturing its essential life lessons and emotional beats. The performances by Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan stand out, bringing a fresh yet respectful perspective to the iconic roles. While some fans may criticize the shift in setting and character alterations, others will appreciate its faithful adherence to the original's core themes.
The Blu-ray edition features Sony's Mastered in 4K presentation, even at 1080p resolution, demonstrating superior visual quality that rivals its predecessor. The image clarity is so striking that it will likely astound even the most discerning videophiles. However, it's worth noting that the changes between this release and the earlier one are marginal and may not justify an upgrade solely for those visual improvements, especially given the minimalistic nature of this new release.
In conclusion, "The Karate Kid" remake is certain to polarize audiences: while some may lament its very existence as unnecessary, others will find it an admirable homage. Sony's Blu-ray presentation ensures robust audiovisual quality that complements the film’s heartwarming narrative. Though sparse on additional content, this release merits consideration, particularly for those yet to own a copy or those prioritizing viewing quality over bonus features.
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 100
The discs take advantage of a significantly higher bitrate than regular old Blu-ray discs, meaning more muscle to produce the finest picture quality, revealing superior details and showcasing that perfect...
Audio: 100
Whether the falling rain that cascades around the soundstage as Dre and his mother leave Detroit or the combination of chirping birds, rustling leaves, gentle winds, and chatty children that create an...
Extras: 0
...
Movie: 90
He takes on a haggard and aged appearance and speaks with broken English and in a cadence that's suggestive of Miyagi, but most importantly, Chan channels Morita's performance in the way he carries the...
Total: 80
There's certainly no doubt that the movie wouldn't exist if the studio didn't feel there was money yet to be made off the franchise; the bottom line is the foundation for most any big-budget picture ever...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Black levels are inky rich, with impressive gradations and intelligible detailing within the shadows, making this a great high-def transfer even if it doesn't offer a significant improvement....
Audio: 80
The front soundstage is broad and expansive with excellent channel separation, as action fluidly pans from one side of the screen to the other and creates a highly-engaging image....
Extras: 0
...
Movie: 60
It's rousing in all the right ways, will have you on your feet at the end, and has a surprisingly solid emotional core, rooted in heartache, that gives the movie a nice twinge of melancholy....
Total: 60
With the recent deluge of remakes and reimaginings of many favorites, this is far better than initially expected while staying true to the heart of the original....
Director: Harald Zwart
Actors: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson
PlotDre Parker, a young boy, relocates from Detroit to Beijing with his mother for her job. Struggling to adapt to his new environment and culture, Dre faces bullying from Cheng, a proficient student at his school. He befriends a maintenance man, Mr. Han, who later reveals his expertise in kung fu. Observing Dre's predicament and desire to stand up for himself, Mr. Han agrees to mentor him.
As Dre embarks on his training, he discovers the principles of kung fu that transcend physical combat and include discipline, respect, and harmony. The bond between Dre and Mr. Han deepens, forming a father-son-like relationship. When Dre's rivalry with Cheng escalates, Han arranges for Dre to participate in a kung fu tournament where he can prove his skills and earn respect. This tournament becomes the focal point for Dre's transformation and Mr. Han's redemption journey.
Writers: Christopher Murphey, Robert Mark Kamen
Release Date: 11 Jun 2010
Runtime: 140 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States, China
Language: English, Mandarin