140 Character Movie Review – #140RVW
30 years (&1 week) ago, Daniel-san crane kicked his way into theaters. Still a fantastic picture, funny & inspirational to me & my daughter.
Spoiler-free Movie Review of The Karate Kid:
As I’ve been writing these reviews for this blog, I’ve tried to focus on a number of movies as they celebrate big anniversaries. None have been more satisfying as the 30 year films, as when I rewatch them now, my daughter is seeing them for the first time at the same age that I was when they were released. It’s a great chance to see if the movies resonate with a modern eleven year old as they did 30 years ago.
The Karate Kid was right in my wheelhouse when it debuted in 1984. I was the perfect age for the tale of an awkward bullied kid who learns balance through karate from a mysterious and wise mentor. Like virtually everyone else, I remember kicking and punching all the way back to the car after leaving the theater.
It’s an inspiring movie, and a fun one. It’s Rocky, essentially. The films share a director, so that’s probably intentional. Which is not to say that The Karate Kid is not an original movie, just that it has a common ancestry with the Rocky franchise and a similar approach to crafting feel-good sports stories. (Among other things, the Survivor song “You’re the Best” that plays during the tournament was written for Rocky III before being replaced with “Eye of the Tiger” from that same band.)
The story by Robert Mark Kamen (near the beginning of what would be a hugely successful career) is fresh and solid. It borrows the usual high school conflicts and relationships but makes it all new again with the mentoring relationship of Miyagi.
The acting is fun, particularly with the casting of Noriyuki “Pat” Morita as Kesuke Miyagi. Morita would receive an entirely deserved Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.
Did you know they wanted Mako to play Mr. Miyagi but he was already committed to Conan the Destroyer? See, there’s exactly one good thing about Conan the Destroyer…
It can’t be overstated how hugely successful the pairing of Morita and Macchio is. The obvious respect and caring between these two entirely make the picture. It’s a great and unique partnership, not unseen in film previously, but very fresh and it gives this movie a depth that may not come across from the story alone.
Macchio was 22 at time of filming. Just reflect on that for a minute as you look at the stills. This guy would play young for much of his early career, but play well. I’ve always enjoyed his pictures.
You know what I never really noticed the 20-odd times I saw this movie in the 80’s? Daniel-san is kind of a jerk. I mean, I obviously was aware of how whiny he was, but he was a much more sympathetic character when I was 11 than he is now. In his dealings with would-be girlfriend Ali (Elizabeth Shue in her film debut), he’s a total tool. You want her to slap him around. Her character is really weak.
And don’t forget William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence, the “real” karate kid, according to Barney Stinson…
The Karate Kid is a quintessential 1980’s movie, with all the good and bad that entails. It is fun and well-made and surprisingly holds up very strongly today.
Poster:
Trailer:
Bechdel Test:
Fail
The Representation Test Score: C (5 pts)
(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)
[schema type=”movie” name=”The Karate Kid” description=”A handyman/martial arts master agrees to teach a bullied boy karate and shows him that there is more to the martial art than fighting.” director=”John G. Avildsen” actor_1=”Ralph Macchio” ]
| Main Cast | Ralph Macchio Daniel, Pat Morita (as Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita) Miyagi, Elisabeth Shue Ali, Martin Kove Kreese |
| Rating | PG |
| Release Date | Fri 22 Jun 1984 UTC |
| Director | John G. Avildsen |
| Genres | Action, Drama, Family, Sport |
| Plot | A handyman/martial arts master agrees to teach a bullied boy karate and shows him that there is more to the martial art than fighting. |
| Poster |  |
| Runtime | 126 |
| Tagline | Only the ‘Old One’ could teach him the secrets of the masters. |
| Writers | Robert Mark Kamen (written by) |
| Year | 1984 |