The A-Team
Don't you love it when a plan (or, in this case, a remake) comes together? And since we're asking questions, is there anything wrong with a big dumb action flick every once in a while? The critics would likely answer yes to the former question, but on the later they're largely split -- at least in the case of The A-Team. For those of you who didn't grow up in the 1980s, this is the tale of a crack commando unit that was sent to prison for a crime they didn't commit. They promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade; today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune, hoping to defeat the bad guys and clear their names. The pundits say if you like mindless action with a wink and a nod, you could do a lot worse than this reboot, which executes its set pieces with plenty of panache. If, however, you're a fan of character development and plot, you've come to the wrong place.
The Karate Kid
A treasured highlight of 1980s mainstream cinema, The Karate Kid may not be a classic, but it's got plenty of heart and charm. So, how does the remake fare? Not too badly, say critics, even if this appealing, energetic movie adheres to the plot of the original like it's a sacred text. Jaden Smith stars as Dre, a youngster who moves to China with his mother; after running afoul of the local bully, Dre comes under the tutelage of the wise, subdued Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who teaches him a thing or two about both martial arts and life. The pundits say this Karate Kid is slickly mounted, and benefits greatly from strong performances (particularly Chan, who lends heft and melancholy to the Mr. Miyagi role). However, some find the note-for-note retelling of the first Kid simply reinforces how dated the material is. (Check out this week's Total Recall, in which we run down Jackie Chan's best reviewed movies.)
Also opening this week in limited release:
- Winter's Bone, drama about a 17-year-old's desperate search for her father in an attempt to save her family's home, is at 100 percent.
- Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, an intimate documentary portrait of the comedian and talk show host, is at 89 percent.
- Reel Injun, a doc about the history of Native Americans in cinema, is at 83 percent.
- Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, a period drama about the liaison between the legendary fashion designer and the great composer, is at 56 percent.
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on Jun 10 2010 04:06 PM
I may check out the "A-Team" despite the bad rating from Ebert!
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on Jun 10 2010 04:28 PM
I really get pissed off about how most people (not the critics) have been dismissing The Karate Kid as garbage just because it's a remake of an 80's classic. Did anyone actually watch the trailer? It looks surprisingly intelligent and character driven, unlike the majority of family fare nowadays.
Yes, I understand they made some major changes compared to the original, but what the hell is the point of making a remake if you are going to keep EVERYTHING exactly the same.
I know I'm a minority, but I would actually go see it over The A-Team. Not that I planned to see either of them in theaters.
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on Jun 10 2010 06:52 PM
I wouldn't see it because Jaden Smith is an annoying little kid. He 's a part of the reason The Day the Earth Stood Still remake stunk. I wanted to reach up to the screen and smack that kid in the mouth.
Terrible 'actor' who gets his gigs because of his dad.
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on Jun 10 2010 08:39 PM
This. What Soulfinger said.
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on Jun 10 2010 08:46 PM
The Day The Earth Stood Still was still terrible, even if he wasn't in it.
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on Jun 10 2010 09:50 PM
Can't stand the kik myself. His mother looks like a tranny
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on Jun 11 2010 04:24 PM
Tranny? well she's certainly a gorgeous looking tranny. cant stand her hubby or That kid.
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on Jun 12 2010 08:30 AM
Why? Because they didn't sign an autograph for you or something?
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on Jun 12 2010 06:17 AM
yea and you need to keep in mind that he is 11yrs old and 35.. what i think u need to say is that he has the potential to becomes a good actor. And why is it that because you dont like will smith, you are going to blast his entire family, "just because".. I hate people like you how just sit there in front your screens and plunder on even the innocent of kids. or is that he is black. and oh.. for all you coksuckers who for some ignorant reason explaining that jada is a tranny.. I forget that white ppl like u make disagreements with a strong black family. unlike u drug addicted, self centerd family most of you come from. I am defending what i believe is a future of a young talent. So stop bitching and suking dicks jus because what your fellow white dude is saying.. decipher for your self and stop being a bich
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on Jun 12 2010 07:35 AM
Wow that's a lotta hate. Jada Pinkett Smith is hot. That kid is not a bad actor. I love how people get on here and hate on people way more attractive, successful, and rich than them. Keep drinking that hatorade, seems like the sour grapes are working out great for all y'all!
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on Jun 12 2010 04:13 PM
Seriously. Kid is not great, but he ain't that bad either. He had some good moments here and there. Give him some time.
And Jada's hot and Will Smith is the man.
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on Jun 11 2010 02:14 PM
I agree. I think the new Karate Kid will have more to show and will go accordingly with the new generations. Jade Smith does a great job... and of course Jackie Chan is worth seeing in this new role.
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on Jun 11 2010 05:31 PM
Didn't this article just say that they suck to the original plot like it was a sacred text?
ps trailers are for suckers
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on Jun 12 2010 02:31 AM
What did I say about the plot? I just said they made major changes, such as having the entire film take place in China.
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on Jun 10 2010 04:35 PM
I may check out the Karate Kid because it looks like a legitimate retelling of the classic story and I like Jackie Chan. I'm going to steer clear of The A-Team which looks like a complete mess, judging from the trailers and many reviews.
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on Jun 10 2010 04:37 PM
I would totally see Karate Kid over The A Team as well. But Im holding off going to the theaters until Toy Story 3--- wow that definitely sounds pathetic. lol
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on Jun 10 2010 06:41 PM
How does it sound pathetic? I find nothing pathetic in waiting until Toy Story 3 to go to the movies; that's what I've been doing for the past month. lol
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on Jun 10 2010 07:32 PM
Agreed, considering that Toy Story 3 will be vastly superior to almost everything that has since come out this year (at least in wide release).
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on Jun 10 2010 08:14 PM
LoL. Good to know Im not the only one. What a ****ty summer for movies its been so far.
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on Jun 10 2010 08:49 PM
Except for 'Iron Man 2' even though it wasn't as good as probably expected at first (ever since when).
It was still great.
But yes, indeed it's been kind of "slow" or... not so great with "summer-movies" up until now.
I think they expected for example 'Robin Hood' to be all the "huge epic" film of this time. XD
Just to give a comment on this movie though, which I haven't seen:
I saw the trailer and I went like "The original creators wish they could do all that!".
I mean like, a tank floating from a parachute and then shooting a gun on top of it to the bad-guys? XD
Then again, I think this is typically a movie that might have some resemblances but is still too different and "too much".
Take that last 'Knight Rider'-series for example, it's way too much, it tries too hard to be all awesome and gives it the wrong effect.
I mean, who really seriously watches that compared to how many people over the last DECADES watched the original series time after time?
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on Jun 10 2010 08:51 PM
Oh and actually, I've also been waiting for 'Toy Story 3' for years.
They're just so fun and... you know, they're great.
The teaser-trailer alone was inventive. :)
Doesn't have to be all violence or action or whatever.
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on Jun 11 2010 08:05 AM
No Fresh, you're not the only one. Toy Story 3, Inception are the only two movies I'm looking forward to. The Last Airbender is a VERY distant third place simply because I'm curious to see how Shyamalan handles an epic adventure, but I still fear a lousy script and sub-par acting from it.
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on Jun 10 2010 04:57 PM
I'm a fan of the cheesy A-Team show, so I'll see the movie.
As for Karate Kid, no chance. I didn't enjoyed the original as a whole but did enjoy the Mr. Miyagi parts. Plus, Jacket on and Jacket off, sound more like Jack on, Jack off.
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on Jun 10 2010 05:05 PM
The Karate Kid is catering to a younger audience. I'll see the A-Team, although I'm undecided whether it'll be at the cinema or later in the comfort of my own home. Big dumb action spectacles do benefit from the theater experience. I might walk into it after watching my "entrance ticket" movie.
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on Jun 10 2010 05:05 PM
So, obviously no *new* movies this week.
As an A-Team fan, I refuse to see the film. I'm also hoping it tanks. Why? Mr. T says it sucks. That's all I need to know. That, and it's the perfect represenative for lame as Hell rehashes of 80's greats. That, and Karate Kid.
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on Jun 10 2010 05:27 PM
I dunno Ledawg, Mr. T is kinda a pansy nowadays. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the show when I was a kid (I even ate that sh.itty Mr. T cereal). But I don't even think that the original series would've merited more than a 20% on the tomatometer (if they rated TV shows). So, with that in mind, anything over 50% on the meter indicates to me that this quite possibly be really good. Just my opinion tho. :)
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on Jun 10 2010 05:50 PM
Sure, the show wasn't "good" per se, but it's stupid fun, that everyone can watch. And by stupid fun, it's actually watchable. This new one just looks painful.
But dude, don't call Mr. T a pansy. EVER! Or he will find you.
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on Jun 11 2010 03:08 AM
Ha, pansy might be the wrong word. Sissy? lol.
I might see this, I might not. I have to admit the tank scene might ruin it for me tho.
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on Jun 10 2010 07:37 PM
With all respect but Mr T hates any movie that has a rating higher than PG.
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on Jun 11 2010 05:07 PM
Actually Mr. T came out the day after the comments were posted saying didn't say them.
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on Jun 10 2010 05:17 PM
Well I wont be seeing either of these but at least karate kid looks watchable because of Jackie Chan ,will wait for rental. A-team on the other hand looks horrible and I weep for my childhood, once again raped by hollywood.
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on Jun 10 2010 05:29 PM
I'll see The A-Team tomorrow because I have been anticipating it. I'm pretty sure I'll get a bad rep for saying that but I have bigger worries than what posters say. As for the Karate Kid. Have no interest in seeing. I'll see Toy Story 3 next week because I grew up on the first two films.
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on Jun 10 2010 05:38 PM
I grew up during the 1990s (born in 1986) so I don't really have any nostalgia either of these movies.
I will say that both movies have been getting better reviews then I thought, although not enough for me to want to see either of them.
I prefer to see stupid action movies like A-Team at home, not in theater.
In terms of the Karate Kid, it looks decent but the plotline in a sense is predictable. It was fresher in the 1980s, which is why the first one did well. At the very least this remake is better the sequels to the original one which were rated horribly.
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on Jun 10 2010 05:53 PM
I saw the A-team last night and was pleasantly surprised. It was a lot of fun. This movie is exactly what it's supposed to be. Heaps of fun with some pretty original and far out action thrown in. I'd recommend it for sure!
I'm not sure what the critics really expect from a movie about the A-team anyway? I'd say the negative reviews are from the cynical types who just cant understand that a movie can be fun sometimes.
I hope they make a sequel!
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on Jun 10 2010 05:58 PM
I was born the year the A-team went off the air. I don't know much about the show. I do think Bradley Cooper is sexy though lol. I probably won't see the movie. As for the Karate Kid, it's a big NO for me. I didn't care for the original and don't really care for the remake. And just like Marc with a mouth said: "Probably go see Toy Story 3". Just because I grew up watching Toy Story.
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on Jun 10 2010 06:11 PM
Or because Pixar is just that awesome!
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on Jun 10 2010 09:02 PM
Funny, I'm from the same year. :)
But I can barely a remember a time when the A-Team wasn't on TV.
There would always be a channel that would show it, up until a certain time.
But then recently it started running on this specific channel again.
Then again, I didn't really follow it, I grew up more with something like 'Knight Rider'.
I absolutely loved that, but I would have freaked out if they did a cross-over with 'The A-Team' or something like that. XD
In a good way though...
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on Jun 10 2010 06:02 PM
I'll be watching...... Absolutely NOTHING! :)
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on Jun 10 2010 06:07 PM
I plan to see both because I was a fan of both growing up. My only question is can it still be called the Karate Kid if he's learning Kung Fu? Shouldn't he be the Kung Fu Kid? Ah Hollywood, how stupid you can be sometimes...
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on Jun 10 2010 06:44 PM
I'll go see Toy Story 3 because of the nostalgia and because the first two are SO FREAKING AWESOME!! AAHHHH!!!
No, but seriously, they are some of my favorite movies of ALL TIME (animated or not). Some things I loved as a kid I have a harder time stomaching, but the Toy Story movies are great for any age. I love them more now than I did as a little kid. What's exciting to me also is that a whole new generation of kids will become Toy Story fans, rather than just loving Shrek.
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on Jun 11 2010 09:11 AM
toy story movies are classics that anybody can enjoy
its pixar's greatest film
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on Jun 10 2010 07:26 PM
I'd go see one of these two, but I'd rather have the money for Toy Story 3 in IMAX 3D.
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on Jun 10 2010 07:57 PM
A-team looks like campy fun, Karate kid looks like ****, because apparently Kung Fu = karate... lol. And Chan has lost all reputability after the spy next door. Don't forget Jaden Smith is probably the worst child actor since/and or before Miley cyrus.
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on Jun 10 2010 08:01 PM
I thought they already remade Karate Kid. It was called Never Back Down.
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on Jun 10 2010 09:10 PM
And a great, fun remake it was. Djimon Hounsou as Mr Miyagi. Classic
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on Jun 11 2010 09:09 AM
Haha, I thought the same thing when I saw Never Back Down, I was like, "I'm surprised they even bothered to change the names!" since they were obviously working off the same script.
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on Jun 10 2010 08:54 PM
I must admit that I'm very surprised that Karate Kid has done this well. I was expecting its rating to be much lower. The A-Team's rating was around where I was expecting. I'll probably check them both out this weekend. But to be honest, next weekend is what I'm really excited for:
-Toy Story 3 which will be amazing in every sense of the word, end of discussion.
-And Jonah Hex looks alright, I have a great respect for Josh Brolin, he's criminally underrated. And well even if she can't act, Megan Fox is still a prostitute in that movie.....
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on Jun 10 2010 08:57 PM
Here's a funny thing:
At first I thought Liam Neeson wasn't cast right for this.
And also the two actors for 'Murdock' and 'Face' were the wrong away around.
Because one of them looks more like the other actor's character than the one he actually plays.
Which is kind of annoying...
I think it's the guy who plays 'Murdock' who rather looks like the original 'Face'.
And the guy who plays 'Face' was only cast because of his "looks" or something.
Stupid...
Then I saw the trailer at the cinema and it turns out I was right about that.
And Liam Neeson instead was a lot more similar to the original than expected.
The guy who plays 'B.A.' seems more like a happy kid though... I don't know...
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on Jun 11 2010 03:39 PM
the guy who plays B.A. is rampage jackson and is most deffinately not a happy kid.
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