12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying but the cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make him an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is a kung fu master. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.
Acting
Jackie Chan's dramatic turn is genuinely Oscar-worthy.
Cinematography
China shot like a dream, mountains actually look spiritual.
Score
James Horner's final score before his death, absolutely lush.
Director
Harald Zwart
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title stayed 'Karate Kid' for marketing despite being entirely about kung fu, which annoyed purists and Jackie Chan alike.
The 'jacket' training method was invented for this film — it doesn't exist in traditional martial arts, but feels so authentic it fooled actual practitioners.
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