The Karate Kid (1984) Movie Review

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The Karate Kid is a 1984 American martial arts drama film written by Robert Mark Kamen and directed by John G. Avildsen. It is the first installment in The Karate Kid franchise, and stars Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, and Elisabeth Shue.The Karate Kid follows Daniel LaRusso (Macchio), a teenager taught Gōjū-ryū karate by Mr. Miyagi (Morita) to help defend himself and compete in a tournament against his bullies, one of which is the ex-boyfriend of his love interest Ali Mills (Shue).
Kamen was approached by Columbia Pictures to compose a film similar to Avildsen's previous success Rocky (1976), after signing the director. Kamen drew inspiration from his own life when writing the film. As a result, he maintained strong opinions regarding cast, and petitioned heavily for Morita's inclusion. Preparations for the film began immediately after the final edit of the script was complete, and casting took place between April and June 1983. Principal photography began on October 31, 1983 in Los Angeles, and filming was complete by December 16, 1983.
The Karate Kid was theatrically released in the United States on June 22, 1984. The film received universal acclaim from critics, many of whom praised the action sequences, writing, storyline, acting performances, and music. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $91 million worldwide, making it among the highest-grossing films of 1984.
The film is also notable for kickstarting the career of Macchio, as well as revitalizing the acting career of Morita, who was previously known mostly for comedic roles, and earned Morita a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The Karate Kid subsequently launched a media franchise, and is credited for popularizing karate in the United States.

[@dylanmorris7357]

RIP Pat Morita. A damn good childhood classic.

[@OcpCommunications]

Great job reviewing an absolute classic. And Daniel Larusso is not a bully. I absolutely hate that dumb video went viral and so many people buy that joke of a video as proof that Daniel was the bully the entire time. I hate that crap is associated with the film now. Cobra Kai also doesn't help since it was directly inspired by that video.

[@Johnlindsey289]

That video damaged this movie

[@jdogjohnson9038]

Ralph Macchio and pat Morita worked well together I like how Daniel wasn't just taught karate or whatever but he was taught other things helping muyagi hope I spelled that right and Daniel learning things through out it has Heart to it something films don't have now days!

[@princeofnohr8572]

Karate Kid 1&2 are the perfect one and done movies, part 2 is my favorite one as well even if they are both a bit long but great to rewatch every now and then, another great review Matt

[@mattsands161]

Thanks for reviewing my requested movie and thanks for shooting down that ridiculous argument that Daniel was the real bully. I don't even think the original video that started that theory was meant to be taken seriously. Daniel really isn't a bad guy in Cobra Kai either. I was worried he would be but I think the original trailer was misleading. I found both Daniel and Johnny to be very likable but flawed characters on the show. I also love Karate Kid 2, it's just as good as the original in my opinion.

[@cinemafan97.]

Yeah. Daniel wasn't, and still isn't, a villain. A more accurate description of Daniel would be that he's a flawed hero.

[@user-si9fx4xb6v]

I agree, Daniel really is a flawed hero. He makes mistakes just like many of the other chracters in the show. Johnny really is a flawed guy too, as we saw in season 1 of Cobra Kai. Training under Kreese only messed Johnny up even more. Also their is a comic book series from IDW, which retells the events of the first movie from Johnny's perspective which is worth reading. Like Cobra Kai, it shows that Johnny acts the way he does due to his abusive stepfather and Kreese magnifying his aggressive nature.

[@julieevans3426]

I haven't seen that video about Daniel being the real bully,but,I saw the one about Biff Tannon being the real hero and I was like WTF?Did they even watch the movies?Biff would not leave Loraine alone!He even tried to rape her once!If Marty had've taught George how to stand up for himself and the people he loved,Biff would've raped her and would've kept bullying George for the rest of his life!

[@fawkkyutuu8851]

They don't make em like this anymore. I'm envious everytime I watch movies of American life In the 80's , memories of a healthier society always come rushing back. 2020 quarantine living In the real "Cruel Summer" now.

[@joerazz91]

Classic movie. The Karate Kid is one of the first martial arts movies I’ve ever saw. That’s what led to me to go watch more movies from the genre. Now I’m a sucker for martial arts and tournament movies.

[@UltimateNinja-fe6yh]

Terry Silver from part 3 is the most underrated character of the series!!!

[@perrymehta6438]

agree. My fav villain of the series

[@FiftyShadesOfDave6603]

Amen brother

[@devinpaul9026]

He wouldn't be so funny if he'd appeared earlier in the series-- but yeah, in HIS movie he punches baseball sized holes in the scenery!

[@ryancannon4110]

They did say what happened to Daniel's dad, they explained it in "The Karate Kid Part 2." He died of some type of sickness and Daniel was sad and he felt like he was some type of asshole-ish son.

[@jimduggan8962]

Johnny was a high school kid. "No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher" - Miyagi Remember that? It's not like he was the worst guy ever that did something unforgivable when he was just a kid.

[@FiftyShadesOfDave6603]

Good review and I do appreciate your thoughts on this and your criticisms. Personally I don't think this was overlong. I can't really see how they could have trimmed it down without losing integral scenes. I like how the film takes its time to develop the characters and it makes them more three dimensional. I typically dislike long movies especially if they are poorly paced and have too many unnecessary scene, but I don't think this film suffers from that. Agree on most of the other stuff you say except I actually have a soft spot for part 3 even if the reasons you don't like it are actually perfectly valid! I always like Thomas Ian Griffith as the villian.

[@emanuelespinoza9325]

The only thing the third film has going for it is the over-the-top performance of Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver. He was just so entertaining as the villain.

[@user-si9fx4xb6v]

@ramboraph4life: A big thank you for including the commercial for Remco toys Karate Kid action figures. It really reminds me of my childhood in the 1980's. April of last year, one of the cinemas near me screened The Karate Kid for its 35th anniversary. It was a one day only event, and since I could not find anyone to go with me, I went by myself. I had a ball, getting to watch it on the big screen at last since I missed out on seeing on the big screen in 1984. As a Karate student myself, I think that is great that many young people both when the film first came out and later after it was released on home video took up martial arts training because of this movie. Hope that it continues to inspire kids and teens , no matter how many years go by. This is defiantly one of my favorite dramatic movies and one of my favorite movies of 1984 behind Ghostbusters and The Terminator among others. I even had a replica of the headband Daniel wears in the movie and the Hot Wheels version of the 1948 Ford Super De Leuxe that Mr. Miyagi gifts Daniel on his birthday.

[@touchstonefan0348]

Classic, one of my favorites from the 80s for sure, so many great scenes and moments, great performances from Macchio, Morita, Zabka and Kove, you can tell it's the same director of the original Rocky with the cool montages EDIT: Imagine someone actually doing a video saying Biff is the hero of Back to the Future 😂😂

[@MattB2000]

Awesome review Matt! Even though I actually enjoy Cobra Kai I could understand where you coming from

[@aza1479]

One of the best movies of all time

[@devinpaul9026]

Yeah, I remember that big controversy back in the nineties when Maccio shot that store clerk over a can of tuna. That's the blow that ended his career right there.

[@Johnlindsey289]

Awesome movie, loved it since i was 4 for 34 years and saw 2 in theaters as well

[@MrEnergee1987]

Cobra Kai are ferocious like The Careers from District-2

[@brandon104627]

The karate kid is prey good

[@perryfan49]

27:30 you should make that video!

[@JohnFisherChoir]

Would love to see Cobra Kai review, have you seen it? I was suprised how good it is!

[@ramboraph4life]

I'm not a fan of it.

[@jackcraven2266]

You're right, first two Karate Kid films are only good ones. I think i would have to say i prefer this one over second, but that's only because ever since i first saw it, i watched the first film more times. Btw Matt, check out newest episode of "WTF happened to this movie" on Joblo videos, it's about Tango & Cash and they included lot of interesting info which i didn't see mentioned anywhere else about production of the movie, like for example how originally different actress played Sly's sister in the film or some more problems behind the scenes. Too bad we can't get special edition where all that and more should be included in some documentary, or anything about the film really.

[@anthonychobotdoespopcultur7762]

Awesome video buddy

[@migueldisla2332]

classic flick matt! i have to confess karate kid part 3 is my fave because i saw it in theatres as a kid lol! hope you ever get to watch cobra kai becuase its a continuation of this one and its crazy to see daniel and johnny still beefing lol!

[@primetimecollective]

Eh Personally i think Cobra Kai is a fire show and its very respectful to the first two films. But to each their own.

[@salliewagenblatt5188]

Isn't there a long forgotten cartoon series of karate kid that had little to do with the films and involved supernatural stuff.

[@user-si9fx4xb6v]

Yes, The Karate Kid animated series ran on Saturday Mornings on NBC for the 1989 season. Unlike The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991), it did not catch on with kids and it was canceled after airing 13 episodes. It has since appeared on streaming services, but it has never been given a DVD release by Colombia/ Sony Pictures.

[@jimduggan8962]

Best movie ever.

[@drumtum]

Great movie and actually Cobra Kai is one of very few new series that i like so kill me :-)

[@rharms_]

same here, usually EVERY !! show gets a hype these days and i already know i will find it boring ... was quite surprised it was an easy watch+ lighthearted show which is rare today btw they don't really switch daniel to be the villain, they are just portrayed as 2 very different guys, more of a buddy cop dynamic , no right and wrong, just different

[@blakecausey908]

I enjoy this movie

[@dannydundatta]

Classic.

[@rickykatchem4626]

Do you think that video ruined the first Karate Kid movie?

[@ramboraph4life]

No I can still watch the first film. so no don't think it ruined it.

[@cinemafan97.]

@@ramboraph4life The original Karate Kid is a timeless classic. No revisionist video will ever change that.

[@ADIDDY626]

My favorite

[@14yearsoldtraining49]

I agree with you that the 2nd film is better! Rarely hear this opinion.

[@perrymehta6438]

This is my fav of the trilogy and the best. I like III waaaaaay more than II. you should watch cobra kai. It's awesome. Can't wait for season 3 this year. The part where myagi saves daniel after the halloween dance was a crowd pleasing moment. I think III is underrated. The one with the chick is easily the worst. I like the bowling part, the fight and the song at the end. TNKK. The guy who did the choeography was done by pat johnson. he was also the ref at the tournament

[@user-si9fx4xb6v]

@Perry Mehta, Pat Johnson got his Black Belt in Tang Soo Do under Chuck Norris. For many years he worked as a stuntman and fight choreographer in film and television. In addition to The Karate Kid, he also work on all three live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies and Mortal Kombat (1995) among others.

[@JoeDredd2012]

1:06-1:30 I remember those toys LOL 2:16 That's mine as well 2:32 Found it go to the 13:26 spot kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ6Vo2SDar-Fm5Y 3:21 YES!! I can't wait brother give the ''Crane Kick'' to that bullshit 16:25 Pat Johnson he had a small part in ''Enter The Dragon'' he's one of the guys who attack John Saxon at the golf course the one who says''Its the dough Roper or we have to break something! you got it?''' Wonderful job on reviewing a classic and ripping apart the whole ''Daniel is a bully'' horseshit and fuck 'the 'Cobra Kai'' tv series as well its very overrated IMHO!

[@ADIDDY626]

👍🏻

[@jackko21]

Bonsai Danielson bonsai

[@DJDonnelly]

I think I found the interview you were talking about at around the 25:00 mark someone asks him about the sequel m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ6Vo2SDar-Fm5Y

[@ramboraph4life]

That's not the one but thanks.

[@DJDonnelly]

@@ramboraph4life Ah right okay

[@TimfromMKE]

Daniel was a jerk in part 3 but like you said that movie sucks

[@ramboraph4life]

To me part 3 doesn't exist in this dojo.

[@jimduggan8962]

Dude you didn't even watch Cobra Kai. How are you going to rant like you know what the show is about? The show isn't about Daniel being bad and Johnny being good. The fan theory video was also hilarious and it did make valid points.

[@ShadowMan64572]

Uh, pretty sure that theory video was meant to be a joke lol. Hilarious how so many people preach it as if it were serious.

[@jimduggan8962]

@@ShadowMan64572 Uh, did you read what I said? The theory video is satire... and like I said it was hilarious. I'm not taking it so serious, not sure what you're talking about.

[@ramboraph4life]

That fan theory video in my opinion was absolutely garbage. To each their own Jim Duggan, glad you enjoyed it.. To me it was irritating with bogus statements, bullshit theories and it was as witty as Rob Schneider. There was nothing valid about it. I just watched the movie again...Johnny consistently bullies/berates/almost kills Daniel and Daniel didn't do anything wrong but either defend himself or get back at Johnny for the BS he pulled. Fuck Johnny, lol. Again to each their own.

[@jimduggan8962]

@@ramboraph4life I agree that Daniel is definitely not the bully. But the theory video was just satire and I found it hilarious.

[@ramboraph4life]

We agree to disagree.

[@KingRichard1013]

Duse you really need to check out the cobra Kai TV series it’s really good it does a good job of telling the story through Johnny’s perspective and honestly I’ve always like Johnny more than I like Daniel I mean I’m not saying he’s a bad person but let’s be honest he is very cocky, and very whiny and stubborn up the ass. And he is a bit of a rotten little prick for example at the Halloween dance first of all Daniel got what he deserved because he for no reason provoked Johnny and got him all wet with fucking water while he was in the toilet ready to smoke a J, I mean basically Johnny was just in the bathroom doing his thing and minding his own business, and as soon as school started months go by and Johnny doesn’t even bother Danielle for a while and it wasn’t until Daniel provoking johnny for absolutely no reason at the Halloween dance I mean why do you think he was about to get his ass kicked.

[@ramboraph4life]

" got him all wet with fucking water while he was in the toilet" because Johnny and his cronies literally ran him off the road, almost to his death, while all Daniel was doing was riding his bike. And what does Johnny do just cause he got some water on him? Almost breaks Daniel's neck/killed him (but Miyagi saves the day). So what do you mean 'No Reason'?

[@jdogjohnson9038]

I never watched that series it just sounds stupid Daniel the villain I call bullshit!

[@primetimecollective]

Hes not tho.

[@ADIDDY626]

They took a online theory /video and made that god awful youtube series

[@ramboraph4life]

I complain about that in the second half of this video, funny enough.

[@jimduggan8962]

God awful? Not at all. Cobra Kai is excellent and it has little to do with that theory video. I can tell you didn't even watch more than the free first episode.

[@ShadowMan64572]

@@jimduggan8962 You must be trolling or something cause I watched both seasons and they made Johnny a protagonist.

[@jimduggan8962]

@@ShadowMan64572 "You must be trolling" In other words you can't prove a point. Do you even know the meaning of protagonist? Him being the protagonist means absolutely nothing. Johnny and Daniel both have many flaws.

[@MattB2000]

ADIDDY626 Are you serious? its one of the best shows I’ve seen especially from this generation