Special Review
This review was requested by Discord user BodaciousCNO. If you'd like to join the server, click the button below. Visit DiscordAt age seventeen, screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen was assaulted by bullies, so he started studying martial arts to defend himself. His first teacher tried training him to use martial arts for violence and revenge, so Kamen switched teachers. His second teacher was a Japanese man who didn’t speak English but was a practitioner of Chōjun Miyagi. Years later, his mentor Frank Price introduced him to producer Jerry Weintraub, whose credits included Nashville, Oh, God! and Diner. Weintraub had optioned an article about a single mother’s kid who earned a black belt to defend himself against bullies. Kamen decided to combine elements of his own life and the article into a screenplay that Weintraub would produce. They hired John G. Avildsen, who had earned an Oscar for Best Director for the 1976 classic Rocky. After a roughly three-month shoot, The Karate Kid was released in June of 1984.
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Rating
Synopsis
Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his mother Lucille (Randee Heller) have just moved from Newark to Los Angeles. He befriends high school cheerleader Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue), much to the ire of her ex-boyfriend Johnny Lawrence (William Zapka). Over time, Johnny and his gang, the Cobra Kais, continue to bully Daniel, so he decides to practice karate. During one beating, Daniel is saved by Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita), who works as a handyman at his apartment. Daniel asks Miyagi to train him, but he instead takes him to the Cobra Kai dojo to resolve the conflict. The sensei, John Kreese (Martin Kove), turns them down but agrees to a deal so Daniel will be left alone. Miyagi will train Daniel for an upcoming karate tournament so he can fight the Cobra Kai on equal terms. With so little time, Miyagi’s gonna have to whip Daniel into shape.
Review
From how I summarized the plot, The Karate Kid comes off as somewhat cliche and something we’ve all heard before. Of course, there’s the fact that it’s from the director of Rocky, which shares a very similar plot. However, its predictability is more so a product of how there have been so many similar films made since then. What helps is that this film works not only as an underdog story but also as a coming-of-age story. Daniel goes through the sort of issues many teens do: bullying, rejection, feeling isolated and alone, and acting out. Ralph Macchio plays the part like an actual teenager, not so much that he’s annoying but enough that’s he likable. However, Pat Morita steals the show as the wise yet eccentric Mr. Miyagi, who has great chemistry with Macchio. Despite not having many lines, he has some of the most quotable lines.
Martin Kove does a great job as the villainous John Kreese, relishing every moment he gets to intimidate people. William Zapka works as the prototypical bully, but even he cowers beneath Martin Kove and has moments of fear. Though she isn’t given much to do, Elisabeth Shue is a fine love interest and has good chemistry with Macchio. Additionally, there are some great appearances from notable character actors like Larry Drake, Frances Bay, and Larry B. Scott. The soundtrack has some memorable tunes, including “Cruel Summer”, “Moment of the Truth”, and the iconic “You’re The Best.” Speaking of, Bill Conti’s score helps accentuate the mood, whether it’s the calmer training scenes or the intense championship. For over 30 years, this film has remained a classic of 80s cinema, and it more than deserves that status. Overall, The Karate Kid is one of the ultimate feel-good movies
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