The Karate Kid

[will1066]

This is a terrific teen action drama with impeccable direction and production. Ralph Macchio really captured the teen angst of a middle-class Jersey boy trying to adapt to the dangers of an upper-class California society, as well as being a not-so-silent victim of school violence. His transformation from a helpless, naive kid to a confident martial arts master is truly inspiring for every teen out there. The May-to-December, New Jersey-to-Okinawa bond between Mr. Miyagi and Daniel also shows that true friendship is possible regardless of age and cultural background. Let's not forget the terrific action and genuine fight sequences. Can Mr. Miyagi move or what?! My favorite scene was when he quickly disposed a clan of Cobra Kai disciples under the mysterious cloak of fog and moonlit trees, without fancy wirework and special effects. No Mercy, because mercy is for the weak! And the way he taught Daniel the martial arts was nothing that we had ever seen before or will ever see again, consisting of washing cars, painting fences, and fishing. Truly innovative. Elisabeth Shue gives a terrific performance of a girl who tries to escape the clutches of an abusive, jealous ex-boyfriend to be with her true love. She captured Ali's pain and confusion so wonderfully! The soundtrack is top notch, with the inspirational song "Desire" provided by the uncredited group Gang of Four during the climatic karate tournament. Who can forget the suspense when the Cobra Kai sensei told his disciple Bobby to sweep Daniel's leg?!

Wonderful all-around performances and action drama make this film a must-see. I can't wait for the release of a remastered DVD with DTS soundtrack. I can almost hear the sound of Mr. Miyagi crunching the bones of those poor Cobra Kai.

[SpOoNmAn]

damnit, I just bought the original dvd a few weeks ago :M

[will1066]

No, no, no! My statement about a remastered DVD is more of a wish.

[SpOoNmAn]

lol, if you typed that I missed it! You cant tease me like that! get in the corner, a timeout has been handed out!

[will1066]

LOL, a corner? That's cruel. Can you at least let me hear Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love" while sitting in the corner?

[SpOoNmAn]

LOL, a corner? That's cruel. Can you at least let me hear Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love" while sitting in the corner?

isnt that from part 2 or 3?

:lol:

[H.Donald]

Will1066,nice review of one of our favorite movies :T It is amazing how that movie has stood the test of time.When first released in 1984...my then 9 year old daughter and I went to the movies to see it.Now,my 11 & 12 year olds love it...as a matter of fact they just watched it this pass weekend on "in demand"...for about the third or fouth time.We have seen the entire series 1 thru 4...of course none came close to the first.And the fourth installment...the Next Karate Kid...featured Hilary Swank as the "kid".

[David Meek]

Wax on. . . . Wax off. . . . :

[Azeke]

Beautiful review Sir Will, I certainly enjoyed that movie :T :T .

Wow, it's been 20 years, time sure flies 8) .

Regards,

Azeke

[Adz]

"There is no fear in this Dojo" - John Creese's Karate

[jimmyp58]

Yes, sensei!!!

[jimmyp58]

Trivia question on The Karate Kid --- where did Mr. Miyagi get his 'black belt'?

[jimmyp58]

Another trivia ... what was Daniel's first friend's name when he hit California?

How about his mother's name?

What was his uncle's name?

[jimmyp58]

What was the motto of John Kreese's dojo (actually revealed in Karate Kid 3)?

[jimmyp58]

What former movie star's son played one of karate boys from the Cobra Kei?

[David Meek]

Trivia question on The Karate Kid --- where did Mr. Miyagi get his 'black belt'?

JC Penney. $3.98 - you like?

[jimmyp58]

ha-ha-ha....Banzei!!!!

[David Meek]

What former movie star's son played one of karate boys from the Cobra Kei?

Steve McQueen's son Chad.

[David Meek]

Oh man Jimmy, I can't come up with the others. :nonod:

Help...

[jimmyp58]

Banzei on the Chad McQueen answer David but I think it is time for you to go sand-the-floor until you come up with the others!!! (you can take that for your punishment or I can send you to Mr. Terry Silver for a little bare-knuckle session on some wooden boards!!!).

Jim

[will1066]

LOL, you seem to be the resident Karate Kid series expert.

Here's a little tidbit: Larry B. Scott played one of the Cobra Kai. Pretty tough hombre, no? Well, Larry B. Scott also played the *effeminate* Lamarr in Revenge of the Nerds.

[Nick M]

Great movie.

I always go around doing the crane technique on people after watching it.
Picked it up a while back at Wally-World for $15 or so. Part II is my favorite. Part IV was horrible, almost AOL coaster worthy.

Amazon has all four in a box for $26 with free shipping. It's being released in this box set 2/1/05. I plan on getting it. I'll just sell my extra copy of Part I.

:35: out of :5: for Parts I & II
:3: out of :5: for Part III
Part IV gets 0 out of :5:

[CJ Paul]

Yep, I like KK as well. One thing that bugs me about serials though is that I tend to really WANT all of them to be good. I do this with the Matrix too. I get odd looks when I tell people that the Matrix trilogy is one of my favorite "movies" only to have them say "the first one was good but the other two were disapointing". I treat them as one experience and honestly do like the series. Any way, I agree with a lot of the positive things that have been said, including its somewhat timeless quality. It definately takes place in the 80s, but it could have been filmed more recently IMO. Or that's the general feel I get.

[Nick M]

Just ordered the 4-Film Boxed Set from Amazon.
Only $26!
I know it won't be THX quality, but you can't argue at $6.50 a film...

:T

[Nick M]

Got it and viewed Part II and Part III.

Sound quality is good, but not much of anything on the video. Looks like a regular 'ole transfer with no attempt at restoration. Anamorphic picture though, which is good. Oddly enough, films I and II are on their own discs (the two I like) while film III and the poor Hillary Swank film share a dual-sided DVD. This is also my first experience with the ultra-thin clear plastic cases which reek of cheesiness.

The real reason I bought this set was for Part II (excellent, my favorite part) and the bonus features. Well worth the $26! :T