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 - John Avildsen's TriumphSome of you may know that director John Avildsen was fired from the legendary "Saturday Night Fever" (1977). Amongst other things, he found the content of it too disturbing. We must not write him off as a weak man because of this. The eventual director (John Badham whom I respect very much for his "Saturday Night Fever" 1977 and "Dracula" 1979) was to encounter his own problems. After the completion of "Saturday Night Fever" (1977), John Badham took another job and was fired. The reason was that some suits were horrified at the content of "Saturday Night Fever" and were frightened that he was going to make their movie just as disturbing. Well, that left the great John Badham free to direct the phenomenal "Dracula" (1979). All of that said, back to the subject at hand. Between the great acting, the beautiful scenery, and the profound messages, "Karate Kid" really proves that John Avildsen is a great director. The story starts plausible enough with the fatherless Daniel moving from New Jersey to California. (A potentially difficult situation for any young man.) At first, it looks like he will fit in. He later meets the mysterious Myagi. When we first meet Myagi, we will probably write him off as strange. To Dan's misfortune he runs across Johnny and his gang of Cobras. From this point, Daniel's situation has gone from difficult to dangerous. At one point, Daniel's situation grows so dangerous that Johnny's own friend Bobby is repulsed by the actions Johnny takes against Daniel. At this point, Myagi (whom we may have wrote off as strange) comes to Daniel's aid with very effective results. Daniel obviously wants revenge, but Myagi explains that revenge in the traditional sense does not lead to the desired results...Another interesting thing about this is that with a simple passage, Myagi expands the characters of Johnny and his fellow antagoniosts: "No such thing as bad student...Only bad teacher...Teacher say, student do." Myagi confronts the 'bad teacher' and finds himself in for yet another chore. He begins to teach Dan karate to prepare him for an upcoming tournament in hopes that the antagonists will come to respect Daniel or at least leave him alone. Another nice thing about this movie is that Myagi (partially through his unusual teachings) helps Daniel to see that karate is not a sport to injure or kill. Rather, it is a way of life. (Most viewers will probably be able to guess what is behind Myagi's teaching style before Daniel does.) One of the most beautiful things about this movie is that without blatantly stating it, Myagi becomes a surrogate father to Daniel. This is close to obvious when Myagi gives Daniel a birthday party and a car. As if this beautiful scene needed anything else Myagi gives him a gentle caution: "Just remember, a driver's license won't replace brain or eye." Finally, there is the climactic tournament. Interestingly, Myagi's theory of: "No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher" surfaces to a more prevalent level. Bobby is repulsed by a technique his 'bad instructor' wants him to use, but is too frightened to disobey the 'bad instructor.' Needless to say, Bobby is overcome with remorse when he sees what he has done. Johnny too becomes nervous about what his instructor wants him to do. (In the start of Part 2, the final falling out of Johnny and this 'bad instructor' will be seen.) Perhaps the best thing about this movie is that while violence was an element of how Daniel overcame his dilemma, it was far from the only element. (All those repulsive action movies that glorify in violence and people getting killed could probably learn several lessons from Mr. Myagi.) If you like this movie, be sure to see "Karate Kid II." I'll conclude by saying that I will always respect Director John Badham for his "Saturday Night Fever" (1977) and "Dracula" (1979). And I will always respect Director John Avildsen for his beautiful "Karate Kid" (1984). Rating:  - Your the Best Around!As a child of the 80's and a martial artist, this movie rings true to me on more than one level. Some people may grade this movie low because of the feel good tone of the movie, but that was the tone of the 80's - everything seemed to have so much promise. This is a film with very few flaws. The acting is top notch, from the main characters of Daniel and Miyagi, to supporting roles of Mrs. LaRussa and John Kreese, there isn't a weak charcter in the cast and all are acted superbly. The plot is farely simple, yet one that many people can identify with - Single mom moves away with son away for a job, son gets picked on, finds and friend and mentor in the apartment handyman, who happens to be an Okinawan Karate master. Where the film really succeeds is in the portrayal the martial arts spirit. I had a discussion with someone who insited the movie was flawed because Johnny would have beaten Daniel in real life. All I said to him was the movie was more about the spirit of Karate, not who would beat who. Daniel learns not only how to defend himself against those who would do him harm, but earns their respect as well. As the trilogy goes on, each film focuses on a different aspect of the martial spirit, whether it be respect, honor, or training for war to attain peace. These are the true messages of the Karate Kid, and this is why I guess some people don't get it. As a final note, I was deeply saddened by the recent passing of Pat Morita. Even though he didn't know a lick of karate, his portrayal of the Karate Master did more for martial arts than any other film role could. Those of us who saw this film in the theatre were always searching for our Mr. Miyagi, to teach us not only karate, but life. Some of us were lucky enough to find him.... Rating: - Mommy's not here to dress youThis is easily one of the top ten movies of all time. I've seen it at least 100 times and can recite any line from the movie (lived in Germany - no TV - many recorded movies). There is action; Daniel kicks and chops his way to victory. There is drama; the tension between Miyagi, Daniel, and Ali is thick enough to cut. There is love; Daniel inexplicably gets Elisabeth Shue. There is comedy; "Get him a body bag! YEAH!" Really, I've never met anyone that didn't like Karate Kid. And if I ever do meet someone who doesn't like the movie, I don't want to be their friend. It's that great. The movie has everything anyone could ever want. Wax on/wax off has become a part of pop culture, as has the "Crane Technique". Billy Zabka cemented his niche as the teenage/college-aged villian. Pat Morita was at his best. Things to look for when you watch it again: -At the end, when the announcer says, "The big event!", it sounds like he says, "Deep digger men!" -Daniel's mother moved across country for a job at a restaurant? -You're the best, around...greatest montage ever -The Asian guy in the final four is actually the person doing the "Crane technique" on the stump at the beach. -Revenge of the Nerds star Lamar, the gay one, gets hammered in twice. I'd write more, but I'm about to watch Karate Kid again; it never gets old to me. Rating: - Special Features Make This Great Movie Even BetterIt goes without saying that "The Karate Kid" is an awesome movie all by itself. Nevertheless, the extras on this DVD are just what "special features" should be -- windows into the heart and soul of the film, its characters, and its creators. They make this great movie even better. Mr. Miyagi was the sensei and mentor I always wished I'd had. So when I heard that Pat Morita had died, it broke my heart. Fortunately, just months before he passed away, Pat recorded a commentary track for this Special Edition DVD, along with Ralph Macchio and the film's writer and director. Just hearing his insights into Miyagi's character and the relationship between Daniel and Miyagi is well worth the price of admission. There are also a number of interesting and entertaining mini-documentaries, like "The Way of the Karate Kid," featuring William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence), Martin Cove (Kreese, the Cobra Kai sensei), and Pat E. Johnson, the film's martial arts choreographer (who also played the tournament referee for the final showdown between Johnny and Daniel). Buy this DVD. You'll love it. It's disposable income well spent. Rating: - Another staple of 80's movie magic... (Pt. 1 of 3)Between the hyjinx of `Ghostbusters' and the use of bananas to fight crime in `Beverly Hills Cop', there was `The Karate Kid'. It still amazes me that a 23 year old Ralph Macchio plays a 17 year old adolescent from Jersey, anyway what can be said about this film. `The Karate Kid' is a fun coming of age film with a huge heart to go with it. Daniel LaRusso arrives in California only to discover that it's not the same as the East Coast. He is labeled as an outcast by the powerful, rich elite of The Valley who comes down upon him at full force with a brutal and violent form of karate. Daniel sees that even learning karate is no the place for him, as he sees the local sensei (The Evil John Kreese) is just as cruel and merciless. Daniel is determined not to seek revenge, but to gain respect and acceptance as an equal in his new home. Befriending his apartments handyman Mr. Miyagi (The late Pat Morita), he learns that the true nature of karate comes from the will to be true to yourself and that if you are pure at heart you can accomplish anything. That also includes catching flies with chop sticks. This movie is a pleasure to watch from start to finish. The acting is amazing and the characters are unforgettable. It is one of those movies that stands the test of time and can be enjoyed by all ages. The last scene in this movie is probably one of the most memorable in movie history. It is when Daniel used the `Crane' technique to beat is nemesis Johnny Lawrence only to receive the trophy from the exact same person with a look of respect and a statement to match. I agree with that statement and that is what true movie magic is all about. As Johnny said..."You're alright LaRusso!"
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