The Karate Kid (1984)
Fighting is always the last answer to a problem.
Starring: Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove, Randee Heller
Director: John G Avildsen
Running Time: 122 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Action, Drama, Family
On DVD Ralph Macchio stars as Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who moves with his mother Lucille (Randee Heller) from Newark to California. His mother has a wonderful new job to go to, but Daniel finds it harder to fit in with the Californian kids at his new school. Daniel ends up being the victim of bullying, and although he does manage to talk his way out of a number of fights he is eventually cornered by members of an aggressive karate club who beat him soundly. These are the Cobras, who have taken a dislike to Daniel because he has struck up a relationship with Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue), the Cobra leader's ex-girlfriend. As he is passing out from the beating, he sees the old Japanese handyman Kesuke Miyagi (Pat Morita) coming to the rescue and beating the karate students at their own game.
Together Daniel and Mr Miyagi find that the Cobras' attitudes to fighting are coming from what they are being taught at their karate club by their aggressive teacher John Kreese (Martin Kove). Miyagi agrees to teach Daniel his karate style, so that he can fight at an upcoming karate competition, but much of what Miyagi has to teach is so unconventional Daniel wonders if he will ever learn enough to win. Daniel will have to learn that fighting isn't always the answer to a problem, and will need to find the self-confidence and faith in himself to deal with the problems he faces.
This fine coming-of-age drama set the standard for the genre when it was made, and still holds up well. The basic story is sound and the plot moves along well, but it is the characters which particularly appeal, especially Daniel and Miyagi. Ralph Macchio does a fine job as the put-upon lad who has much to learn about himself, and the evergreen Pat Morita is outstanding as the humorous but intelligent old Japanese handyman. The message of the film is clear, that the development of maturity and self-confident is more important than the learning of fighting skills, but the message is not so heavy-handed that it put kids off. Instead, the film provides an inspirational story that motivates the audience to find the same qualities in themselves.
DVD Extras: The inclusion of DVD-ROM games is a nice attempt to add value to an older film.
Extras: Filmographies, Theatrical trailer.
DVD-ROM: Multi-level interactive games.
It's Got: Miyagi's great one-liners and unique methods for teaching karate.
It Needs: Some surprises at the end.
Alternatives: The Karate Kid - Part II, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, First Kid.
Summary: Simple but effective coming-of-age drama, full of humour and thrills, which became a teen classic and still holds up well to scrutiny.
Review by Andrea Chee
Review Date: 30th May 2003
External Links
The Karate Kid at the IMDB
Comments7 Comments |
| i am the big fan of Karate Kid. This movie grows with me since i was 9. I joined karate class because of this movie, and i really look upon Daniel's character in real life. THIS MOVIE IS NOT ONLY A MOVIE. again, in my opinion. |
| Comment by:- Widya HC | | 21 May 2004 | ip: logged |
| I have been watching Karate Kid since I was 8 or 9 and at 24 I can still appreciate the elements I enjoyed then namely the spirit, the overcoming of diffidence,social ostracism (almost), the very real adolescent emotions and the warm understanding old man who manages to teach the tormented boy the important values with which he can face all future problems without dejection. It is creatively scripted and the fight scenes are very authentic. Ralph Macchio doesn't look a year over 15 (I can't believe he was 23 !) Elizabeth Shue looks her part. And Mr. Miyagi..I would have taken karate lessons from him..so well cast was he ! Definitely a movie to boost your morale, to lift your spirits, to make you believe in the ultimate victory of good over evil and to teach you to keep trying till you achieve your 'destiny' . |
| Comment by:- Anusha | | 31 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| No one ever points out the obvious: those kids from the rival dojo would never have made it to the tournament floor after tryng to start a fight in the locker room,including comments of the "I'm gonna getcha" and "you're goin' down!" ilk. That isn't what karate is all about. Evenif they had made it to the tournament floor, their consequent behavior would have gotten them all eliminated. |
| Comment by:- patty | | 17 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I think the Karate Kid is a great film and really inspiring. It shows that to overcome fear and be strong we must learn. For example Daniel must paint the fence, wax the car, paint the house. It shows a great bond of doing a favour for someone else to get what u want. I even think some of this is biblical because Daniel learns that you have to earn your keep to get what u want. The scene when he blocks Miyaga'a moves is great. Best film ever. |
| Comment by:- Luke | | 29 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| wonder if we will ever see ralph macchio on big screen tv again, |
| Comment by:- christy | | 25 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| i am a big fan of daniel.i think he is the best actor i have every seen in moves and in books. right now i am reading about karate kid part 2 and i am still looking for part 3but cant seem to find it.mr.miyagis the best to.i have never thought that mr.miyagi would get drunk when he is looking at his wife then passes out.ithink that daniel is such a gentalman because he helped mr. miyagi when hepassed out. |
| Comment by:- alysha | | 01 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| A pop culture phenomenon when originally released, The Karate Kid remains a fun and entertaining family film to this day. Highly recommended... |
| Comment by:- gilletbd1977 | www.thedvdreport.com/dvd_revie... | 09 February 2005 | ip: logged |
