Karate kid

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llee

Golden Member
Oct 27, 2009
1,152
0
76
A few thoughts on the movie (have not seen it yet) and thread.

Thread:
1. Stop the profanity. It makes you look like an idiot and hurts your efforts to pursuade the crowd.
2. Use PMs if you want to start a flame war.
3. Jumping on the English mistake was pretty annoying from a spectator standpoint. It doesn't advance your cause, degrades this thread to flaming, and reenforces a stereotype of immigrants.

Movie:
I can't help but notice that the director decided to set the film in China. The Kung Fu/Karate/China/Japan/Korea naming issue aside, I'm a little disappointed at the subconcious messages that this film is making against Chinese people.

1. It sends a message that Chinese people are rowdy and mean. The trailers paint a picture of an innocent black kid getting beat up by Chinese guys. They never smile, always look like they're ready to kill, and I mean that. The last part of the trailer shows them before some final showdown. The Chinese dude looks ready to kill while Smith has an innocent look on his face. It's replicate throughout the other parts of the trailers.
2. It sends a message that Chinese people are Communists foremost, intent on destroying America. Their costuming in that open practice field is solid red, bolstering China's omnipotent Communism. I see political implications here as a result- lone star against a flood of red. USA vs China, follow me?
3. The depicting of the country as a karate obsessed nation doesn't help either. Asians have become stereotypically associated with martial arts. Who actually jogs up the Great wall of China? Lines of monks meditating? Come on Hollywood.

Anyways, those are my thoughts. In case you're wondering, I'm a 2nd gen immigrant, Canadian by birth, ethnic Chinese teenager. I am a capitalist and am often defending the US's faults to my parents while criticizing Americans about their biases against China. I have visited the country several times, live in the US, and am a neolibertarian. If you decide to jump on me because I haven't seen the film, try to understand that I don't have to see it in order to feel subconscious messages that emanate from it through the media, trailers, etc. It actually is more identifiable because more people WILL NOT see the film than the number who WILL see it. Many of you might comment on telling me to "chill out, it's just a movie" or try to say something funny about the seriousness and blow it off- don't, be positive and open to differing opinions.

P.s. Jackie Chan is from Hong Kong i.e. another political outsider to China (to the Chinese, obviously not from the west). I probably won't pay to see the movie.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,213
17,892
126
A few thoughts on the movie (have not seen it yet) and thread.

Thread:
1. Stop the profanity. It makes you look like an idiot and hurts your efforts to pursuade the crowd.
2. Use PMs if you want to start a flame war.
3. Jumping on the English mistake was pretty annoying from a spectator standpoint. It doesn't advance your cause, degrades this thread to flaming, and reenforces a stereotype of immigrants.

Movie:
I can't help but notice that the director decided to set the film in China. The Kung Fu/Karate/China/Japan/Korea naming issue aside, I'm a little disappointed at the subconcious messages that this film is making against Chinese people.

1. It sends a message that Chinese people are rowdy and mean. The trailers paint a picture of an innocent black kid getting beat up by Chinese guys. They never smile, always look like they're ready to kill, and I mean that. The last part of the trailer shows them before some final showdown. The Chinese dude looks ready to kill while Smith has an innocent look on his face. It's replicate throughout the other parts of the trailers.
2. It sends a message that Chinese people are Communists foremost, intent on destroying America. Their costuming in that open practice field is solid red, bolstering China's omnipotent Communism. I see political implications here as a result- lone star against a flood of red. USA vs China, follow me?
3. The depicting of the country as a karate obsessed nation doesn't help either. Asians have become stereotypically associated with martial arts. Who actually jogs up the Great wall of China? Lines of monks meditating? Come on Hollywood.

Anyways, those are my thoughts. In case you're wondering, I'm a 2nd gen immigrant, Canadian by birth, ethnic Chinese teenager. I am a capitalist and am often defending the US's faults to my parents while criticizing Americans about their biases against China. I have visited the country several times, live in the US, and am a neolibertarian. If you decide to jump on me because I haven't seen the film, try to understand that I don't have to see it in order to feel subconscious messages that emanate from it through the media, trailers, etc. It actually is more identifiable because more people WILL NOT see the film than the number who WILL see it. Many of you might comment on telling me to "chill out, it's just a movie" or try to say something funny about the seriousness and blow it off- don't, be positive and open to differing opinions.

P.s. Jackie Chan is from Hong Kong i.e. another political outsider to China (to the Chinese, obviously not from the west). I probably won't pay to see the movie.


lol You really think this is a racist movie? FYI, Jackie Chan sucks up to the Communist government to no end. He would not be the one to bad mouth the PRC.

The decision to set it in China is just crappola Hollywood thinking. Humm, where is the biggest market for a martial arts based movie, I know, China!

Just because the movie is full of fail does not automatically make it racist.
 

SandEagle

Lifer
Aug 4, 2007
16,809
13
0
my main gripe about the plot is: how can a kid become a karate expert in a few weeks/months? tres stupid
 

kalster

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2002
7,355
6
81
dont know what the fuss is all about
it was a decent movie, the kid acted well, the plot had some problems but that didn't stop me from enjoying the movie
 

llee

Golden Member
Oct 27, 2009
1,152
0
76
lol You really think this is a racist movie? FYI, Jackie Chan sucks up to the Communist government to no end. He would not be the one to bad mouth the PRC.

The decision to set it in China is just crappola Hollywood thinking. Humm, where is the biggest market for a martial arts based movie, I know, China!

Just because the movie is full of fail does not automatically make it racist.

I'm saying that there's a prejudice against China, not racism. Just go to google type in "china is" and check out the auto-fill suggestions. I know where you're coming from though, I was telling myself that it was just another move to rake in more cash as well.

It's too bad only a small minority of people in China actually like martial arts based movies though, it's more of a Hong Kong thing. The moolah is coming from the US. Besides, people are more crazed about romance flicks and foreign films than any other genre.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,213
17,892
126
my main gripe about the plot is: how can a kid become a karate expert in a few weeks/months? tres stupid

In the typical Wushia fantasy fashion. He finds some magic mushroom and eats it. This enabled his chi to flow through the whole body thus making the kid very powerful.
 
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sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,213
17,892
126
I'm saying that there's a prejudice against China, not racism. Just go to google type in "china is" and check out the auto-fill suggestions. I know where you're coming from though, I was telling myself that it was just another move to rake in more cash as well.

It's too bad only a small minority of people in China actually like martial arts based movies though, it's more of a Hong Kong thing. The moolah is coming from the US. Besides, people are more crazed about romance flicks and foreign films than any other genre.

err, the whole plot of Karate Kid is to plop a kid in a hostile environment and have the kid overcome it via enlightenment though karate. Kind of hard to do that if everyone is nice to the kid and they just sit by a camp fire and bbq fishballs.
 

Q

Lifer
Jul 21, 2005
12,046
4
81
Saw it today, while there was some slow parts and it was kinda long, Chan and Jaden were pretty good.
 

fire400

Diamond Member
Nov 21, 2005
5,204
21
81
it's probably another rip off of Gran Turino. Foreign kid makes friend with old guy that teaches him way of life, and he excels at it, finding some kind of peace and comfort in society... after he has to pick a fight with a bunch of thugs that wreck havoc.

I don't want to overlook the special meanings of obedience, family, friendship, bravery, etc., that the film may or may not convey, but it just doesn't appeal to me to watch a Hollywood flick that flaunters on a few Chinese boys hating foreigners, preview-wise. But I won't deny that natives can possibly get beat at their own art if someone works and trains harder than them.

Anyway, with "Kung Fu Kid", that would have been more amusing of a title. And if it was a comedy, then I'm sure it'd be better than Kung Pao.

Laffable thread. Humor is healthy, but crude humor is ... lol
 
Last edited:

HOWITIS

Platinum Member
Apr 26, 2001
2,165
0
76
A few thoughts on the movie (have not seen it yet) and thread.

Thread:
1. Stop the profanity. It makes you look like an idiot and hurts your efforts to pursuade the crowd.
2. Use PMs if you want to start a flame war.
3. Jumping on the English mistake was pretty annoying from a spectator standpoint. It doesn't advance your cause, degrades this thread to flaming, and reenforces a stereotype of immigrants.

Movie:
I can't help but notice that the director decided to set the film in China. The Kung Fu/Karate/China/Japan/Korea naming issue aside, I'm a little disappointed at the subconcious messages that this film is making against Chinese people.

1. It sends a message that Chinese people are rowdy and mean. The trailers paint a picture of an innocent black kid getting beat up by Chinese guys. They never smile, always look like they're ready to kill, and I mean that. The last part of the trailer shows them before some final showdown. The Chinese dude looks ready to kill while Smith has an innocent look on his face. It's replicate throughout the other parts of the trailers.
2. It sends a message that Chinese people are Communists foremost, intent on destroying America. Their costuming in that open practice field is solid red, bolstering China's omnipotent Communism. I see political implications here as a result- lone star against a flood of red. USA vs China, follow me?
3. The depicting of the country as a karate obsessed nation doesn't help either. Asians have become stereotypically associated with martial arts. Who actually jogs up the Great wall of China? Lines of monks meditating? Come on Hollywood.

Anyways, those are my thoughts. In case you're wondering, I'm a 2nd gen immigrant, Canadian by birth, ethnic Chinese teenager. I am a capitalist and am often defending the US's faults to my parents while criticizing Americans about their biases against China. I have visited the country several times, live in the US, and am a neolibertarian. If you decide to jump on me because I haven't seen the film, try to understand that I don't have to see it in order to feel subconscious messages that emanate from it through the media, trailers, etc. It actually is more identifiable because more people WILL NOT see the film than the number who WILL see it. Many of you might comment on telling me to "chill out, it's just a movie" or try to say something funny about the seriousness and blow it off- don't, be positive and open to differing opinions.

P.s. Jackie Chan is from Hong Kong i.e. another political outsider to China (to the Chinese, obviously not from the west). I probably won't pay to see the movie.


your an idiot. i saw this movie with my Chinese wife (who is from beijing were the movie is set) and she loved it. thought the movie was great. i suggest you actually watch the movie instead of being a jackass. the movie follows the first karate kid almost exactly. everyone in china is welcoming to little will smith except the boys being trained by the evil dojo.



only thing odd is the school the kids go to was for rich kids, hard to believe rich Chinese parents let them do anything but study or play a musical instrument.

also, why would someone in America be transferred to china then stay in such a poor apartment. obviously they wanted to give a more Asian look to the movie. they would have been somewhere much nicer.
 

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
126
did not read any of the many pages to this thread. only read the last page.

karate vs kung fu? huh?
getting the asian races wrong? huh?

i watched the movie. it wasnt bad. definitely pay matinee prices for it.

crane style in original karate kid got renamed cobra style.. lol
 

classy

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
15,219
1
81
Saw this today and it is a very good film. Very well acted as well. There was no racist undertones like some of the people here are saying. The movie really captured some of the spectacular looks in China. And Jaden was a bad little kung fu dude. Good flick, better than what I thought it would be. The film had some touching moments, but I think it did best because it left you with a good feeling. The theatre had a good number of people in it and it appeared to be well liked. Solid B, not bad at all.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
A few thoughts on the movie (have not seen it yet) and thread.

Thread:
1. Stop the profanity. It makes you look like an idiot and hurts your efforts to pursuade the crowd.
2. Use PMs if you want to start a flame war.
3. Jumping on the English mistake was pretty annoying from a spectator standpoint. It doesn't advance your cause, degrades this thread to flaming, and reenforces a stereotype of immigrants.

1. FUCK YEA!
2. Thats against the fucking rules.
3. Stereotypes are legal, applicable, and fucking fun.

:awe:
 

MJinZ

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2009
8,192
0
0
I respect Jackie Chan and have seen many of his movies (including a lot of HK imports). This movie still has FAIL written all over it.

You'd be first in line screaming if someone remade "The Last Dragon" with a white guy as Bruce Leroy.

I respect Jackie Chan as much as the fact that he's making a shitload of cash.

Otherwise, China and Chinese people are becoming more and more pathetic. No self-respect.
 

MJinZ

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2009
8,192
0
0
A few thoughts on the movie (have not seen it yet) and thread.

Thread:
1. Stop the profanity. It makes you look like an idiot and hurts your efforts to pursuade the crowd.
2. Use PMs if you want to start a flame war.
3. Jumping on the English mistake was pretty annoying from a spectator standpoint. It doesn't advance your cause, degrades this thread to flaming, and reenforces a stereotype of immigrants.

Movie:
I can't help but notice that the director decided to set the film in China. The Kung Fu/Karate/China/Japan/Korea naming issue aside, I'm a little disappointed at the subconcious messages that this film is making against Chinese people.

1. It sends a message that Chinese people are rowdy and mean. The trailers paint a picture of an innocent black kid getting beat up by Chinese guys. They never smile, always look like they're ready to kill, and I mean that. The last part of the trailer shows them before some final showdown. The Chinese dude looks ready to kill while Smith has an innocent look on his face. It's replicate throughout the other parts of the trailers.
2. It sends a message that Chinese people are Communists foremost, intent on destroying America. Their costuming in that open practice field is solid red, bolstering China's omnipotent Communism. I see political implications here as a result- lone star against a flood of red. USA vs China, follow me?
3. The depicting of the country as a karate obsessed nation doesn't help either. Asians have become stereotypically associated with martial arts. Who actually jogs up the Great wall of China? Lines of monks meditating? Come on Hollywood.

Anyways, those are my thoughts. In case you're wondering, I'm a 2nd gen immigrant, Canadian by birth, ethnic Chinese teenager. I am a capitalist and am often defending the US's faults to my parents while criticizing Americans about their biases against China. I have visited the country several times, live in the US, and am a neolibertarian. If you decide to jump on me because I haven't seen the film, try to understand that I don't have to see it in order to feel subconscious messages that emanate from it through the media, trailers, etc. It actually is more identifiable because more people WILL NOT see the film than the number who WILL see it. Many of you might comment on telling me to "chill out, it's just a movie" or try to say something funny about the seriousness and blow it off- don't, be positive and open to differing opinions.

P.s. Jackie Chan is from Hong Kong i.e. another political outsider to China (to the Chinese, obviously not from the west). I probably won't pay to see the movie.

Why do you defend China? What do Chinese people do?

1) Make cheap and dangerous shit - IE be the opposite of Japanese quality

2) Import culture and erase its own culture - IE everything is westernized

3) Have no respect for its own citizens, rights and lives - admittedly fucked in the ass to begin with by having 12 children per family.

China is a fucking pathetic disaster.

This movie is absolute proof, that it will even sell out to "Karate" and allow the movie to be filmed in the Chinese setting.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
May I add though that the kids are just too freaking young for the storyline. 12? Stupid. Mr. Smith should have waited a few years.