Recently relocated from NJ to LA, Daniel becomes the target of a gang of Cobra Kai dojo students. When Mr. Miyagi saves him with expert Karate skills, Daniel convinces him to teach him to defend himself, and put his bullies in their place.
Cast:
- Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso
- Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi
- William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
- Elisabeth Shue as Ali Mills
- Martin Kove as John Kreese
- Randee Heller as Lucille LaRusso
- Chad McQueen as Dutch
1984 viewing
I first saw The Karate Kid in Fort Collins, Colorado, December 1984. We were visiting my oldest sister, who recently graduated college, for the Christmas Break. She took us to the movie theater in Old Town (the theater is still standing and is now a concert venue) to see The Karate Kid.
I was into this movie from the start. For some reason it spoke to me. I wasn’t being bullied at the time so it wasn’t that aspect, but something about it grabbed me and never let go.
I was consumed by the movie and Daniel’s journey. His mentor, Mr. Miyagi, his love interest, Ali with an I, his nemesis Johnny and the maniacal Sensei Kreese, everything about the movie was mesmerizing.
While we were watching the final match Daniel, hurt from all the abuse, gets into the crane stance and then…
… the screen goes white and the entire audience lets out an audible gasp.
The film broke! Right at the climax of the movie! I was devastated. A guy sitting behind us, who said it was his fourth time seeing the movie reenacted the Crane kick and finished the movie for us.
I wouldn’t see the ending of the movie for another three or four months when I was able to rent the movie.
I know The Karate Kid holds up after forty years, it is a timeless classic.
Let’s go check it out…
40th Anniversary Re-watch
Still awesome, nothing will change my mind about it’s greatness.
Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his mother move across the country, New Jersey to California, for his mother’s new job. Daniel tries to make the best of it and even gets invited to a beach party. At the party he meets a girl, Ali (Elisabeth Shue) and then he meets her psycho ex-boyfriend, Johnny (William Zabka).
Daniel tries to stand-up to Johnny but finds out quickly Johnny and his friends are black belts in karate. Beaten and left on the beach Daniel realizes life in California isn’t the same as New Jersey.
At school Daniel is continually bullied by Johnny and his friends until it finally comes to a head at the school’s Halloween party. During the party Daniel soaks Johnny with water as he is in the bathroom. Daniel races home but it caught by Johnny and his friends and beaten to a pulp.
Before Johnny can deliver a final kick a mysterious man intervenes, beats Johnny and his friends and saves Daniel from a worse beating. Daniel discovers his protector is the apartment handyman, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). After much convincing Mr. Miyagi agrees to teach Daniel karate.
Miyagi teaches Daniel in an unorthodox manner, which looks like a chores list to Daniel. Waxing cars, painting fences, sanding floors. One night, in anger Daniel confronts Miyagi about the training and Miyagi shows Daniel how to apply what he learned.
The final karate tournament pits Daniel against, well, everyone. He is an unknown and most of the fighters dismiss him. Through exceptional training and sheer will, Dainel makes it to the champsionship match against none other than Johnny Lawrence. It’s a winner take all battle for the All-Valley Championship.
This is a fantastic movie. The writing is extraordinary and the acting is superb. Johnny and his gang are extremely believable as the bullies, even though Daniel does egg them on quiet a bit. Ali is the perfect love interest and Mr. Miyagi…
Mr. Miyagi is expertly play by Pat Moritia. The relationship between Miyagi and Daniel is well written as it evolves throughout the movie. Going from casual friendship to a father/son type bond, it’s beautiful to watch. Both men fill the void in the other’s life. Daniel needs a father (his father died when he was young) and Miyagi needs a son (his son died at birth) whether he knows it or not. It’s a deep friendship that is formed during the movie and felt by the audience.
On the flip side is Johnny and his Sensei, John Kreese (Martin Kove). They also share a bond in somewhat the same way as Daniel and Miyagi. Johnny is looking for a father figure and finds in in Kreese, while Kreese is looking to pass on his Cobra Kai lineage. Their relationship is much more toxic but still important to each of them.
Pat Morita was nominated for an Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for the role. Unfortunately he lost to Haing S. Ngor in The Killing Fields.
I watch this movie any and every time it’s on TV. Much to the chagrin of my wife and kids. I’ve owned the movie in every form of media and currently enjoy the remarkable 4K edition.
To say I enjoy this movie is a huge understatement. For me, it is a transformative movie. It’s one of the reasons I’ve dedicated over 25 years of my life to studying martial arts. Over the years I’ve experienced both types of training, Miyagi-Do (as it would become known) and Cobra Kai. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.
Favorite Line:
Daniel: You’re the best friend I’ve ever had Miyagi: You… pretty okay, too
The Karate Kid was written by Robert Mark Kamen who also wrote The Transporter and Taken movies. It was directed by Academy Award winning director John G. Avildsen, he won his Oscar for Rocky (1976). Avildsen would also direct The Karate Kid II and The Karate Kid III.
The Karate Kid launched a far reaching franchise, including five movies, an animated series, TV Series and video games. There’s a Broadway adaption in the works and another movie as well.
If you haven’t seen the Cobra Kai series you need to. It’s set 34 years after The Karate Kid and examines the adult lives of Daniel and Johnny. It’s a great series. You should watch The Karate Kid and then binge watch all six season of Cobra Kai, it’s time well spent.
The Karate Kid was released on 22 June 1984. It made a big impact at the box office making over $90 million on a $8 million budget. It kicked it’s way to the 5th highest grossing movies of 1984.
There aren’t too many movies that earn a perfect 10, but for the greatness of this movie and its impact on me it more than earns a perfect 10 star rating.
Did you watch The Karate Kid? If so let me know your thoughts in the comments below or on X(Twitter). The main Geekster channel is @GeeksterMedia and I’m @MileHighSamurai You can also find me on Bluesky @MileHighSamurai
10/10 stars
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