Review of The Karate Kid (1984) by Ben L — 18 Feb 2015

There are plenty of 80's movies that only live on in the modern day because of blind nostalgia from fans who fell in love when they were children and fail to recognize the flaws as adults. I'm perfectly willing to admit that there is some nostalgia involved in my passion for The Karate Kid, but I've re-watched it a number of times as an adult and every time I come back to this story I'm impressed by how well it holds up. For one thing, the theme of the film is absolutely timeless. We've all been in situations where we felt like the outsider who didn't understand the rules of some new environment we've entered. We can connect to Daniel's struggle to find balance in a world where it seems everything is conspiring against him. Then there is also the ersatz father-son relationship that is formed between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. It is a strong element in the story because their relationship includes a great deal of give-and-take along with mutual respect. Add in the teen love story and it has all the components you could want in a film for audiences young and old alike.

Ralph Macchio was actually a good casting decision because he feels very natural and real as Daniel. Also he is so thin and appears extremely weak which works brilliantly in the story. Elisabeth Shue is also a great casting choice because she has a look that fits for a typical girl from a rich family, but a personality that feels like the girl next door. You can genuinely see how she becomes enamored with Daniel, but also how she might have once had a fling with Johnny. The Cobra Kais are all great at being classic movie villains, particularly for a tale like this that almost resembles a super-hero origin story. Martin Kove is particularly great as the zealot that leads these kids to push the boundaries in order to become fighting machines. I like William Zabka as well because he pulls off the strong and jealous jerk, but I also can believe when he flips and learns to respect Daniel at the end of the film. Of course all this is leaving out the one member of this cast that cannot be ignored. I honestly don't know what to say, though, about Pat Morita in The Karate Kid. He created a character for the ages. Mr. Miyagi is hilarious, wise, trustworthy, and a little bit mischievous. Every word he utters is like gold, I just can't say enough about how much I love this character. He is the perfect blend of comedy and drama that I wish I could find in every film I watch. Pure genius!

I recognize that The Karate Kid has some issues with it that some might see as flaws. Not every line is written or delivered well, the pace is certainly more leisurely than we would expect nowadays, and the soundtrack is a crazy mix of original songs that certainly plant the film in its era. However there's just something magical about this movie that connects with me perfectly. I am always engaged from start to finish and find my heart pumping again in all the big moments. Despite seeing it dozens of times I still feel the surprise and delight with the reveal of each scene. I think I can see where some people won't connect with this film, but I find it hard to believe someone could deny the quality of the characters and their story. Any time I have an opportunity to once again experience the magic of The Karate Kid I am totally on board. If I happen upon it while flipping channels I will never leave until it is done. Needless to say, The Karate Kid is one of my favorite films of all time.