The Karate Kid (Movie Review)

Originally released in 1984, The Karate Kid tookstrikes a deal with Cobra Kai Sensei John Kreese
the nation by storm. A true summer blockbuster,(Martin Kove). Kreese agrees that his students will
it capitalized on the traditional teen romanticnot lay a hand on Daniel until after the upcoming
comedy genre with the addition of martial artsAll-Valley Karate Championship. At the
action sequences. No doubt, the film waschampionship, the foes will decide their dispute
responsible for a countless number of kids joiningonce and for all... Will Daniel finally get the bullies
up to take martial arts classes. But moreoff his back? Will he win the girl in the end? The
importantly, The Karate Kid is fun and entertainingKarate Kid has all the elements of a smash hit...
family film...More than any other, the true star of The Karate
Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his motherKid is Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) whose grandfatherly
Lucille (Randee Heller) move to California fromways and deadly fighting abilities earned him a
New Jersey, where Daniel has a difficult timeplace within the hearts of movie viewers around
making new friends. Striking up a romanticthe world. Exhibiting all the characteristics of a
friendship with Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue), a rich girlnoble individual, Miyagi is a throw back to the idyllic
who previously dated the popular Johnnydays of knights and chivalry. Taking the young
Lawrence (William Zabka), he incurs Johnny'sLaRusso under his wing, the two form a bond
envious wrath. When Daniel is about to get beatthat transcends age and race, and when Daniel
up yet again, the super at the apartment buildingovercomes the obstacles in his young life, Mr.
where he lives, a Japanese immigrant named Mr.Miyagi is there to smile...
Miyagi (Pat Morita), steps in and beats up JohnnyA masterpiece of the 1980s teen drama, The
and his friends. Mystified, Daniel learns that Mr.Karate Kid penetrated pop culture with its "sand
Miyagi is a martial arts expert. He begs toon, sand off" catch phrases and kids imitating the
become an understudy, and Mr. Miyagi reluctantly"crane kick". Although not in the same category
agrees.as Academy Award winning dramas, The Karate
Following several weeks of training andKid nevertheless holds its own as good, clean
conditioning which Daniel doesn't understandentertainment the entire family can enjoy. All
(waxing cars and painting houses), he's ready tothose countless movie viewers can't be wrong,
quit. But Mr. Miyagi reveals the depth of thecan they? Because of its original screenplay and
effect the training has had on Daniel's skills as ainfusion into the American pop culture, The Karate
martial artist. With Johnny and his Cobra KaiKid is a definite must-see movie...
friends continually threatening Daniel, Mr. Miyagi