The Karate Kid (1984)

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

I know a lot of people love this movie and that's fine, but come on, really? Totally unrealistic and really very juvenile overall. A kids movie and I'm sorry, but the main character is just way too wimpy not only in his appearance, but with his "Oh please, don't hurt me" attitude thru the whole movie. Only time he showed some moxie was when he got angry about fixing up Miyagi's house and cars. He should have really transformed in the movie from a scared kid to a different person entirely having an inner strength and resolve gained from Miyagi's influence and gentle guidance. Sorry, but some other young actor could have been a better choice, along with some better writing and direction. I am only giving it a 3.

(Originally reviewed: 07/01/2017) I was surprisingly not looking forward to this film after seeing the dreadful 2010 remake, however it's safe to say this version is much better, But only as entertainment value, it's not the best acting ever and it's most certainly no great film, having said that Pat Morita is rather good as Mr Miyagi. The rest of the performances are okay I suppose, Ralph Macchio and Elizabeth Shue do possess a few decent scenes together and there romance for the most part is at the very least, somewhat interesting. My Favourite part of the picture though has to be the scenes in which Mr Miyagi uses simple outdoor chores to train Macchio's character to become a really good martial artist, this is a nice original approach. On the other hand there are some obvious flaws, such as cheesy dialogue, a first half that is a lot weaker than the second and some real predictable clichés such as one of the bullies fighting over who gets the popular, rich girl with are lead character. All in all though The Karate Kid provides good entertainment, with a terrific tournament climax and a very good performance from Pat Morita.

It's a movie that had it's time and place. Furthermore it's one that can't be made the same way, with the same intent as before.A story about a bullied kid that rises up to the challenge is always a seller...but now it has to be more than that. The bullied kid has to be Luke Skywalker and the special effects have to come from computers and be bigger and louder than the last movie or...we just aren't going to like it.The Karate Kid is a movie about a wimp with a chip on his shoulder and one that looks like a wimp. It may not sit right today when the wimps that get bullied have to take their shirts off and look like a muscle bound stud...and he remains a wimp after the movie is over and...that isn't really accepted today either.I mean he looks like he is the Underdog even after he wins and in today's movies...that is not popular at all.And it has a comedian as a karate instructor in a dramatic role...again something one wouldn't do today.And the end takes place in a tournament and not in a fight to the death...which again is simply not done anymore.But a movie like that in the '80s worked. It was great in the '80s..its just now folks want something more over-the-top and they roll their eyes at a drama made for children.So it is an age thing, and a taste thing.

The Karate Kid is one of the better teen films of the 1980's. While some of the teen films idealized Gen-Xer life, the Karate Kid tells the story of the new kid in town who can't find his place. At the beginning of the film, Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and his single mother have moved from New Jersey to the San Fernando Valley in the Los Angeles area. He finds love with a schoolmate, Ali (Elizabeth Shue) but his nemesis becomes the girl's ex-boyfriend and his buddies. Turns out ex-boyfriend and company are a gang of teen bullies who are taught martial arts, "karate" in Japanese, by an amoral teacher who likens martial arts to military combat. He tells his students "no mercy". The gang misuses their abilities particularly against Daniel who is unable to defend himself because he knows nothing of martial arts combat.Luckily, the manager of the small apartment house is Mr Miyagi (Pat Morita). When he learns of the boys misfortunes, particularly after he has a first-hand encounter with the ruffians, Miyagi agrees to teach the young Daniel about martial arts, "karate". They strike a deal with the militant karate teacher, who is opposite in philosophy to Miyagi, that Daniel will enter a karate tournament, and until then, the "gang" must leave him alone. Miyagi points out that there are no bad students, just "bad teachers". He also says that karate is the last resort, not the first.Daniel is then put to work in which he has to wash cars, paint fences, and sand floors. It seems that Daniel is just being an indentured servant to Miyagi, but as the scenes unfold we learn that the point was not to paint the fence and wash the cars. In probably the most memorable scene of the film, Miyagi says "Show me sand the floor." We find out the real point behind Daniel's chores.This is an incredibly uplifting film and has an exceptional story arc. The film is called the Karate Kid which of course refers to the title character. However, for nearly half the film, Daniel knows nothing of karate. He must learn at the feet of Miyagi and that he becomes first a novice then an adept in the world of karate. Part of the story is the universal narrative device of teacher and pupil. The relationship between Miyagi and Daniel evolve from one of uncertainty to mentor-student which for me is the strongest aspect of the film. Filmmakers often forget that while we the audience desire the protagonist to succeed, there should be lots of obstacles in his or her way. If the conquest is too easy, then there's not a lot to root for. Daniel has to climb some very steep mountains before he becomes the "karate kid". Definitely a film which has more or less withstood from the 1980's and is far less dated than other offerings of the period. Personally, this is a far stronger film than "The Breakfast Club".