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 - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts "the karate kid" on the floor with ease. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is secretly a master of kung fu. 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.
Written by Columbia Pictures
The American title for this film was kept as "The Karate Kid", to maintain the connection to the earlier films it is loosely based on, even though this movie takes place in China and the martial arts used are forms of kung fu. The difference is referenced in the film when Dre's mother describes a team as practicing karate, and Dre quickly corrects her.
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Goofs
Incorrectly regarded as goofs:
Though the plot of the movie revolves around kung fu rather than karate, the title "The Karate Kid" is a direct reference to the bullies calling him the "Karate Kid" when he takes up a stance at the beginning of the fight.
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Quotes
Dre Parker:
Be kinda hot if I won this thing, huh, Mr. Han? Mr. Han:
Be kinda hot if you focused. Dre Parker:
Yeah, well, after that. See more »
Crazy Credits
Stills from the production of the film are shown alongside the credits.
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"Do You Remember"
Written by Jared Cotter, Sean Paul (as Sean Paul Henriques), Jay Sean (as Kamaljit Jhooti), Robert Larow, Jeremy Skaller, Lil' Jon (as Jonathan Smith) and Frankie Storm Performed by Jay Sean featuring Sean Paul & Lil' Jon Courtesy of Cash Money/Universal Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises Lil Jon appears courtesy of Universal Republic Records Sean Paul appears courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp. By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
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