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Home » Blog » How to Watch the Karate Kid 2010 Movie with Your Children

How to Watch the Karate Kid 2010 Movie with Your Children

June 29, 2010 By Sensei Matt Klein

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Is this Movie too Violent for Young Children ?

There has been a fair bit of controversy surrounding the Karate Kid Movie 2010. Despite the debate as to whether this film is suitable for children to view, many youngsters will see it. You have to decide for yourself whether your child is mature enough to deal with the violence in it. As a kids karate sensei, I would like to make suggestions on how to view this movie, and how to discuss it with your child.

First off, violence sells in Hollywood. MMA is so popular because people want to see real fighting action, maybe even someone getting hurt. Sometimes more violence than necessary is shown to make a movie dramatic and sell tickets. The consequences of such violence are not shown either. Missing teeth, broken bones and other serious injuries are not portrayed accurately by Hollywood because it is too gory. The pain and trauma is also not shown because it is too confronting to viewers.

Look for Other Solutions to Conflict

Realize that fighting is not the way to solve our problems. There are many better ways of resolving conflict other than violence, and the first is communication—talking it over. Could the differences between the characters in this movie have been resolved in a better way?

The bullies in this movie, like the original Karate Kid Movie, trained in dojos that taught glorification of violence. This is extremely rare in the martial arts world, but it makes the movie more dramatic, because there has to be a bad guy in this story to make it interesting. The vast majority of martial arts instructors teach respect and avoidance of violence.

The tournament in this movie, just like the first, is not even close to what an actual martial arts tournament is like. Realise there are rules in tournaments and they are designed to prevent injury. There is also mandatory protective equipment worn in tournaments. If tournaments were run like this no one would ever attend them.

Try to Find Good Lessons in this Movie

Look for good in this movie. Try to find lessons to be learned about life in the story. Try to put yourself in the different actors’ positions in this movie and see where they are coming from. Is there peer pressure amongst the bullies? Was the bully brainwashed by his instructor? Was he racist? Who taught him to be racist?

Try to see how another culture lives from day to day. Remember, different is not always better or worse—it is just different, and that differences in language, food, and customs is what makes life interesting. How interesting would the world be if we were all the same? Look for common threads as well, as there are many western influences in China today. Is the western way of life always the best? Look for the beauty in the scenic sense, and also in the people and how they live. Remember, the martial arts originated in this part of the world.

What lessons did you learn from this movie? I am very interested to hear from you. If you reveal too much about the outcome, I might have to edit your comment, so we don’t ruin the movie for other people who may want to see it. Please keep this in mind.

Note: Since I wrote this post Sue over at My Journey to Black Belt has reviewed the movie in a different light. Although I disagree with her on many aspects of the movie, we agree on others. It is well worth your reading, for a well-balanced view. While there, check out her blog–it is an excellent martial arts site.

Sensei Matt Klein

Find out more about our Sydney kids karate classes

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Filed Under: Martial Arts Movies for Kids

Comments

  1. Hear Mum Roar says

    July 2, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    Wow, I had no idea that there was a new movie out of the Karate Kid! My fiance would love it

  2. Sensei Matt Klein says

    July 2, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    Thanks Hear Mum Roar and great to hear from you. Let me know what you think after you see it.

    Hear Mum Roar has a great website for kids at http://hearmumroar.com/ especially for the artistically inclined.

  3. Realitybites says

    July 7, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    I appreciate that the film is not indicative of the majority of Dojos. But given that ‘Youtube’ has numerous videos of school yard bullies etc. The film is probably reflective of the ‘ignorance’ and intolerance displayed generally in society.

  4. Sensei Matt Klein says

    July 8, 2010 at 11:15 am

    Thanks for your comment Realitybites. Unfortunately ignorance and intolerance is rampant in today’s society, but I expect better from martial artists. Our schools highly emphasize the defence only mentality.

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mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
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The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
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