| Overall Grade: |
A+ |
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| Story: |
A+ |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A+ |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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The quintessential film of the last 25 years.
by Yahoo! Movies User (movies profile)
Jun 23, 2008
16
of
18 people found this review helpful
I remember watching The Karate Kid as a five-year old, when it was released on film in 1984.
At the time the movie came off as being entertaining because it had an easily definable obstacle for the main character, Daniel (Ralph Macchio), which was to defeat Johnny in the All-Valley Karate tournament. At least to a kid, this competition seemed like it was all about winning or losing and getting back at the bully that kicked your ass in front of other people and a girl you liked. We all knew, even as kids, that Daniel would get the last laugh but it was still a pleasure watching him train, battle through the tough field at the tournament and deliver the visually appealing Crane kick to clinch the victory.
As time went by, I probably watched The Karate Kid, four or five times, but not with a close eye for details, just to watch the violence again and here the neat 80's music -- "Cruel Summer" and "Nothing's Gonna Keep ya Down" -- which are extremely clever and catchy tunes in their own right.
That being said, you here a lot of people poking fun at the movie for a variety of reasons. That tends to have a snowball effect on the pop culture and I found that people often look at this movie jokingly.
When it started being shown recently on AMC, I took a step back and decided to watch this movie with an open-mind to see how it was put together.
My final conclusion was that this was one of the finest films made in the last 25 years. Film classes should offer this as a model of how to write and produce a movie that people will watch and enjoy.
John G. Avildsen returned to his underdog theme from Rocky but it's a different story with an entirely new set of circumstances. The scenes alone make The Karate Kid special and unique. Watch this movie and count how many scenes are boring or unimportant and you will not even begin to count.
First of all, the movie begins with a journey clearly identified. Mother and Son venturing from Newark, New Jersey to Southern California. But you learn quickly that these people are not "new money", they're very much commoners. The mother is willing to take the risk of driving 3,000 miles across country if it means a better job opportunity for her and her son. In every great movie, you need to know where the main character is coming from. George Bailey, Rocky Balboa, Luke Skywalker, etc.
Another crucual quality of a film is not taking too long to find out the main love interest and the antagonist. The beach scene where Daniel is flirting with Ali, trying to stick up for her, and eventually getting beat up by Johnny over the situation, sends a rather strong message. Daniel is lying face first in the dirt when one of the other guys -- he thought would be his friend -- says "Where did you find this guy?". This is subtle yet a sign of a director who understands the value of defeat. Not just losing the war and getting buried in the dirt but getting more dirt thrown on top of ya -- all in front of a hot girl.
Daniel's problems complicate until they reach a breaking point/turning point, when Daniel is tossing his bike in the dumpster, explaining to his mother that he hates California and wants to go home and we later discover that Miyagi (Pat Morita) is now aware of the situation.
It would be too difficult to describe the magnitude of Miyagi as the wise mentor in this movie. He is on a level that few have been able to reach. He is strict in his approach to teaching Daniel karate, "I say, you do". That's what we all wanted to hear out of this man. This is a character we could admire and respect just for those principles of direction alone. But as time progresses, Miyagi displays a warm, humurous side that divides the relationship between a training relationship and a lovable friendship. Miyagi is clearly the father figure Daniel did not have when the journey began. Through Karate, Miyagi taught Daniel life-lessons to build a foundation for the rest of his life. "Must first learn stand, before learn fly." The Crane technique was symbolic for maintaining balance in life.
This movie combines a terrific 80's style romance with complimenting music and a screenplay that will forever be a formula for success. To me, these among other qualities, make The Karate Kid a classic. And then some. |
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