While it might be easy to dismiss "The Karate Kid" as essentially a retelling of "Rocky" for kids where boxing is replaced with karate, the film is nonetheless a simple happy tale of good triumphing over evil. The over-the-top caricatures of the villains is counter-balanced by the seemingly realistic humanity of Mr. Miagi and the paternalistic relationship that develops between himself and his young apprentice. Overall, a solid family film that deserves recognition as such.
I kinda like the fan-theory that Daniel is the real bully. He
also is the first to start fights while Johnny defends himself and it's reckless that he doesn't bother to learn any of the rules of the karate tournament. Plus, of course, he wins with a kick to the face.
The first four come in a boxed set, starting, of course, with the classic original. And it IS a classic, iconic even. I'm not even sure what to say about it because everyone reading this is likely to have seen it. It still works. Part 2 isn't quite as good. I respect the idea of returning to Okinawa and exploring Mr. Miyagi's origins, but the character's resistance to fighting translates into a film without a lot of karate. The kinds of lessons Miyagi was teaching in Part 1 are there, but don't pay off as well. Part 2 also starts the franchise's tradition of writing out unneeded characters in an off-hand way, and of course, shows there are bullies everywhere you go. Increasingly motiveless bullies. Part 3 returns to California and takes it to ridiculous extremes. The villain comes out of nowhere to revenge Part 1's baddie, and is over-the-top evil. Why is this karate-chopping millionaire taking time out of his toxic-spilling schedule to ruin the life of a 17-year-old? By this point - and this may be the effect of watching them in one go - Daniel-San's tics have become annoying. He's always been prone to talking to himself and rambling, but what was once naturalism is now exposition-filled, incessant monologuing. So is Part 3 the least of the series? It may be. It's certainly the least memorable. The Next Karate Kid could also make a claim to that title. Daniel himself is written out as Mr. Miyagi does some babysitting for a friend in Boston, teaching her orphaned delinquent relative to face her problems head on. Hilary Swank is actually effective in the role and a much better fighter than Macchio ever was. There's also some sitcommy fun in seeing Miyagi try to raise a difficult teenage girl. Unfortunately, the plot is ABSURD! And in a way, it's why I'm giving this one a better review than Part 3. At one point, the absurdity got too much and I was in stitches! Examples: A Buddhist monastery in the Boston foot hills, zen Bouddhist bowling, bungee bombing the prom (that's the one that got me), and the whole karate security force in the school (where NO ONE looks like a high school student) run by a motivelessly evil Michael Ironside. It isn't a good film, but taken as a spoof, it's actually fun.
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frankqb
While it might be easy to dismiss "The Karate Kid" as essentially a retelling of "Rocky" for kids where boxing is replaced with karate, the film is nonetheless a simple happy tale of good triumphing over evil. The over-the-top caricatures of the villains is counter-balanced by the seemingly realistic humanity of Mr. Miagi and the paternalistic relationship that develops between himself and his young apprentice. Overall, a solid family film that deserves recognition as such.ecnered
Elisabeth Shue was definitely hot here..angelInstead
Mr. Miagi is great! The movie not so much.Ghdoliveira
Old man teaches young boy that violence is NOT the answer.greenhorg
Plot summary: An underclass teen brings conflict and violence to an affluent high schoolbathkuyp
Kicks to the face are illegal and won't be tolerated?machinagod
Wax on, wax offKublai Khan
I kinda like the fan-theory that Daniel is the real bully. HeSiskoid
The first four come in a boxed set, starting, of course, with the classic original. And it IS a classic, iconic even. I'm not even sure what to say about it because everyone reading this is likely to have seen it. It still works. Part 2 isn't quite as good. I respect the idea of returning to Okinawa and exploring Mr. Miyagi's origins, but the character's resistance to fighting translates into a film without a lot of karate. The kinds of lessons Miyagi was teaching in Part 1 are there, but don't pay off as well. Part 2 also starts the franchise's tradition of writing out unneeded characters in an off-hand way, and of course, shows there are bullies everywhere you go. Increasingly motiveless bullies. Part 3 returns to California and takes it to ridiculous extremes. The villain comes out of nowhere to revenge Part 1's baddie, and is over-the-top evil. Why is this karate-chopping millionaire taking time out of his toxic-spilling schedule to ruin the life of a 17-year-old? By this point - and this may be the effect of watching them in one go - Daniel-San's tics have become annoying. He's always been prone to talking to himself and rambling, but what was once naturalism is now exposition-filled, incessant monologuing. So is Part 3 the least of the series? It may be. It's certainly the least memorable. The Next Karate Kid could also make a claim to that title. Daniel himself is written out as Mr. Miyagi does some babysitting for a friend in Boston, teaching her orphaned delinquent relative to face her problems head on. Hilary Swank is actually effective in the role and a much better fighter than Macchio ever was. There's also some sitcommy fun in seeing Miyagi try to raise a difficult teenage girl. Unfortunately, the plot is ABSURD! And in a way, it's why I'm giving this one a better review than Part 3. At one point, the absurdity got too much and I was in stitches! Examples: A Buddhist monastery in the Boston foot hills, zen Bouddhist bowling, bungee bombing the prom (that's the one that got me), and the whole karate security force in the school (where NO ONE looks like a high school student) run by a motivelessly evil Michael Ironside. It isn't a good film, but taken as a spoof, it's actually fun.Rohit
"Much more entertaining and logical than Enter the Dragon." That's what you wrote and intended, gyani? Right? Just checking.Dieguito
classic! my entrance in martial arts moviesnaruto-uzumaki
great story!Kunggi
#9 martial arts? Joke right?arrbrr
Martial arts? Really?gyani
Much more entertaining and logical than Enter the Dragon.Showing items 1 – 15 of 16