In spirit, yes.


Without quoting the entire post, I agree.

I just watched it.

From the start, I felt like I was being built up for a huge climax. It never arrived. Below is my opinion. Highlight to read because it contains spoilers.



*****SPOILERS*****


The characters: Hannibal was IMO pretty close to the original Hannibal. I was content with him. I had hoped for disguises better than coloured hair. Face - where was his smooth, suave side? His charm and sophistication? His conman side really seemed to come out at the end "master plan". BA - we get only a hint of his Bad Attitude. I know no one can play him better than Mr T but a bit more throwing and bashing would have been fun. Murdock - I really think Jim Carrey would have been a lot better. Some of the stuff in Ace Ventura etc was a perfect fit IMO.

The dialogue: There were times I couldn't tell who was saying what, nor what they were saying. This seemed to be more because of the film itself rather than the cinema.

The plot: It seemed to start off okay. I accepted the changes (eg Murdock being part of the A-team whereas in TOS, he was merely the pilot, iraq etc). Liked the way they got the plates etc. The scene where they get ripped off was cool. I was happy when they were sent to jail. After that, IMO it went downhill. The escapes seemed more like set pieces stuck together. Nothing to ease things along. What I really wanted was (urban) guerilla warfare. What I got was a load of twists that IMO was a twist too many. The final mission was a complete let down. I understood the plan but just wasn't executed the right way. They could have had bigger, better explosions. More action.

I think what I really wanted as the ending was this: They get imprisoned in a stockade filled with lots of gear. Cue the A-team music, they build something, break out and then escape. Then you could have the ending.

*****END OF SPOILERS*****


I think what also didn't help was the cinema. I don't go often these days. Never really had major issues with the odeon but I think after today, I refuse to ever return. Issues with the odeon:

1. Ticket machine not working so having to stand in a queue.
2. Being shoved in a poxy screen room with crap speakers and visibility.
3. Poor seating meant unless you sit in the middle portion, you don't get to see the screen properly.
4. The sound cutting out a parts in the very beginning. Didn't really impact on understanding the plot but did ruin the experience.
5. All of the above would have been forgiven had the following not happened: Ever since the A-team was being advertised, I've taken efforts to avoid seeing them, avoiding spoilers, avoided reading about the film. Everything, so that I couldn't experience the film for what it was. What happened? Right before the film was a f**k-ass advert featuring the A-team movie. Music, scenes from the film. All so they could tell use orange sponser the odeon and to turn off mobiles. F**king w*nkers. Why the f**k would you show trailers for the f*cking film I'm about to f*cking watch??!?!? It's f**king inexplicable. You've got my money, you've given me a poor environment and to top it all off, you put a f**king trailer right before the film. W**kers.

I'd have been livid at that too

Happens all the f**king time

Just a potential hazard unfortunately and I've had to get used to it.

I watched Karate Kid last night. Mark, I applaud your recommendation.

Let's start by getting this out of the way. It's far too long.

However, the two central performances are superb. The photography in some of the more scenic locations is stunning. James Horner can still score a movie. The choreography is brilliant. You instantly recognize the new "wax on, wax off" technique and they drag it out so you feel just as bored/frustrated as the kid. You know it's gonna turn into awesome kung fu and yet you are still surprised when the kid is enlightened. It's emotionally grounded and feels far more authentic than a lot of recent cinema.

Sure it's not Inception, but a very good movie nonetheless. And I have to agree that it's an improvement on the original.

Have you watched the other four Karate Kid films?

I rate the first two as fantastic. The third one was a bit of a let down and the fourth IMO didn't count because of different main character.
Where would you place this?

I take it it's just a retarded sponsorship thing? Might be why I haven't seen it over here

Hooray! (8+)
I'm hoping to see Inception this weekend.

Mark

I've seen the first two. This is better IMO. I haven't seen them for a few years, but this seems more contemporary as well as all the other stuff I already said.

I can't help but feel I would have watched it had it been titled Kung Fu Kid. I may give it a try next time I'm off during the day.

It is in some parts of Asia.