Karate Kid 'too violent' for children

Wax on, wax off. It didn't seem so offensive back in 1984 when the original Karate Kid movie hit our screens.

But the remake - casting Jackie Chan as Mr Miyagi and starring Will Smith's son Jaden - has outraged children's groups across the Tasman for its violent content.

The martial arts violence in the movie originally attracted an 'M' in Australia, but the Review Classification Board revised its decision after an appeal by Sony Pictures, and gave it a 'PG' rating.

As a result of the Australian classification, The Karate Kid will be released as a PG (Martial Arts violence) when it opens in New Zealand theatres on July 8, after previews of the film in some centres this weekend.

The Australian Council of Children has now taken the extreme step of advising parents against taking children under 12 to see the film.

"This film is much stronger than the original version that parents might remember seeing 25 years ago,' council vice-president Professor Elizabeth Handsley told The Age.

"It should have been classified M - not recommended for those under 15 years."

She said children would not merely be seeing a remake of the original.

Sony Pictures general manager for New Zealand Andrew Cornwell told nzherald.co.nz the classification is largely irrelevant as neither M or PG movies are restricted, and anyone can buy a ticket.

Cornwell said he had received no negative feedback about the movie in New Zealand.

He said that the film is basically the same story as the popular original, but it benefits from modern film making techniques.

"Better production and film making technologies make it seem a bit more 'in your face' - but essentially the stories are the same.

"It's a mentor movie, and it's got some very positive messages - it is not about kids having their heads kicked - it's got a very moral theme."

Cornwell admits to being "a bit surprised" at the Australian reaction but advises parents to see it for themselves if they're concerned.

"It is called The Karate Kid - you can expect a bit of karate," he said.

- NZ HERALD STAFF