Review of The Karate Kid (1984) by Rodney E — 11 Jan 2013

The Karate Kid is classic. It may be dated but it is still classic. Ralph Macchio is the classic pussy, this dude had to of been in his mid to late 20's while playing a teenager. It's the same old Rocky-type story.

.wait a minute. The director of Rocky and various other underdog struggling against the odds movies directed this too so it makes sense. But instead of feeling like the same old stale theme, Karate Kid works because of Miaygi and the fact that Macchio plays a total pussy who you can't help but laugh at and want to beat up too.

And what do you know? We've got the classic 80's asshole William Zabka and the leader of the Cobra gang too. The movie gets sappy even before the thirty minute mark. Imagine a movie in which a kid new to town meets a peer and gets invited to a party.

And this party is sweet. There's hot girls in bathing suits, shitty music blasting from huge stereo's, and a hearty game of soccer going down. How does Daniel not fit in? He gets his assed kicked.

Now think about that. What kind of world does the Karate Kid live in where people leave him with his ass kicked and just ditch out on him because he was knocked down. "where'd you find this guy anyways/" Freddy was a complete douche.

He probably went to his lame-o friends right after meeting Daniel and was like "There's this kid from New Jersey who just moved in my apartment building and he knows karate, he should be our friend.

" The score is absolutely cheese to your ears as is most of the soundtrack "danger!everywhere I turn" "youre the best around" those are lifter anthems. Had this movie not have had Pat Morita as Miyagi then chances are it wouldn't be classic.

Miyagi is one of the greatest characters because he could have been a total charicature but actually is a effective ObiWan/Yoda figure. Miyagi has too many lines and classic scenes. How about when he comes out of nowhere and saves the day when the Cobras are dressed as skeletons? Also classic is Martin Rove as the complete prick sensai at the karate dojo.

How did this guy open his own business. Could you imagine this guy trying to open up the place. "This karate studio will focus on providing no mercy whatsoever. You will also have to do pushups with your knuckles.

" I was actually glad when Daniel-San won the tournament, not because it wasn't completely obvious that he would no doubt win, but because the Cobra pricks needed to get the crane kick to the face and fail.