The year is 1984, and Ghostbusters and Gremlins had just terrified children everywhere a couple of weekends ago (what a double bill, by the way). On a late June weekend, however, audiences were lining up to see John G. Avildsen’s movie about the new kid from Reseda being taught the ways of karate by an elderly man from Okinawa, Japan. It’s called The Karate Kid, and it’s one of my favorite movies of all time. Admittedly, though, I actually didn’t see this movie for the first time until 2020 - whilst we were in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic - when I went through a ‘phase’ or a period of my life of just watching a movie every day because everywhere was pretty much closed.
It’s no surprise that I related to The Karate Kid so much because, growing up, I studied martial arts and learned the ways of self-defense for the better part of a decade during my childhood and into my teen years. So, the connection between my own life to this film is pretty easy to make. If anything, The Karate Kid is one of those movies I wish I had watched much earlier when I was younger and still going to my Taekwondo classes. But, I guess, better late than never.
The martial arts drama film follows Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), a teenager who has just recently moved from New Jersey to LA with his mother, as he encounters abuse from the school bullies. Fortunately, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) decides to train Daniel to boost his confidence levels and help him take down the bullies at a local karate tournament.
Of course, John G. Avildsen (who directed the film) is no stranger to the underdog tale. Before he made The Karate Kid, he helmed Rocky - a story about a small-time fighter defeating the heavyweight champion of the world - which became a massive success as it went on to become the highest-grossing movie of 1976 leading up to its Best Picture win at the Academy Awards the following year. Nevertheless, I think the move to re-use the “underdog” story template from Rocky and re-tell it to an ‘80s audience is a smart one. At that time, most of the big box-office draws at the movies were ones aimed at families and the younger moviegoing crowd. So, to have Avildsen return to the well to tell a Rocky-esque tale for teenagers is a pretty genius move. Those types of stories are timeless, they never age, and inspire millions of people around the world.
In the end, this decision to focus the “underdog” story on teenagers paid off massively. The Karate Kid went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of 1984, earning $90 million domestically ($290 million adjusted for inflation) on just an $8 million budget, and it made karate popular for a whole generation of kids as well. It spoke to people, it lit a fuse in the audience’s mind that made them go back to the movie theater again and again; which, ultimately, resulted in the film becoming a sleeper hit in the summer of ‘84. Whichever way you slice it, The Karate Kid was a crowdpleaser.
Unsurprisingly, much like in every other movie of the 1980s, The Karate Kid has a banging soundtrack. While the film does come equipped with a musical score, which was composed by Bill Conti (who does an excellent job, by the way), the martial arts drama is also infused with ‘80s synth-pop and adrenaline-fuelled rock. “The Moment of Truth” by Survivor is a solid pumped-up, angst-filled pick for the movie's theme song where the lyrics play parallel to what goes on in the film. “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama is a very fitting and memorable song that plays as the first day back at school kicks into gear, while “You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito provides some rousing and epic beats as we watch Daniel progress through the karate tournament in true montage-style fashion.
A personal favorite of mine, however, is “Young Hearts” by Commuter. The pop-rock song plays fairly late on in the movie when Daniel is trying to make things right with Ali (Elizabeth Shue) after he catches her making out with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) at the Country Club. First of all, this track has such a danceable beat to it that it’s incredibly difficult not to move your head to and sing along with. And secondly, the lyrics (“try to make it last, nothing you can do, in a photograph, the innocence you thought you lost, Is staring back at you”) fit surprisingly well with what we saw on their first date together and what’s happening on-screen in the scene as the song plays in the background. Seriously, though, the song and its lyrics will be stuck in your head until the end of time.
As awesome as the soundtrack is, I think The Karate Kid is also just a gorgeous movie to look at and sit through. Shot by James Crabe, who had worked with Avildsen before on 1976’s Rocky and also did the photography for Ron Howard’s Night Shift in 1982 (which starred a young Michel Keaton), the cinematography work he does here goes unnoticed for the most part. It’s not until subsequent viewings do you sit back and notice how effective some of the shots are, and how aesthetically pleasing some of the frames are to look at. I think it’s partly down to how caught up we are, as viewers, in the endearing friendship between Mr. Miyagi and Daniel and the investment we have in the underdog story that we miss how truly great the cinematography is in this movie. That shot of Miyagi from Daniel’s point-of-view looking like a mythical being as he takes down the so-called ‘bad guys’, the wonderful frames of Daniel training as the sun sets practicing the cobra move and balancing on the boat, and the sun-soaked and dreamy shots of Daniel and Ali by the beach are terrific angst-filled frames that fill the screen.
Yet, for me, the shot that stands out the most is when Daniel and his mother are eating lunch while Johnny Lawrence and his band of goons (known as ‘Cobra Kai’) are outside. First and foremost, it is such a lovely interaction between Lucille (Randee Heller) and her son Daniel and how much she cares about him. Asking questions about karate classes, how he is settling into school, and whether he has met any girls yet is a nice reminder of the relationship between the two as we're caught up in the karate of it all. Secondly, though, the way the camera is positioned is so effective in what it is trying to get across in terms of the driving wedge between Daniel and his mother.
At the forefront, you have Lucille - ecstatic to learn that her new job will make her training manager - and her son (who is infatuated with the girl he has been talking with). But, lurking in the background is Johnny and his group of goons; the root source of why Daniel has struggled to adapt to the move and has struggled to settle in at a new school. They are positioned centrally, in the middle of the two to visually show how these bullies are implicitly causing him to drift away from his mother, and to further highlight how there is always danger and trouble lurking behind Daniel. It is simple, yet very effective and the reason why I find myself impressed by the mechanics of the camerawork in The Karate Kid.
“Wax on, wax off” - Mr. Miyagi
In the same way Yoda teaches Luke the ways of the force in The Empire Strikes Back, Miyagi is also teaching Daniel the ways of karate…in his own unorthodox way. Cleaning cars, painting garden fences, and sanding the decking in the backyard may all sound like menial chores that eventually frustrate Daniel. But, through repetition, Miyagi shows him how these tasks Daniel has been doing are moves that teach him how to defend himself. It’s in that moment of realization when things click and Daniel learns self-defense through the chores he has repeatedly been doing, where it feels like the kind of magic only The Movies can capture.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Miyagi’s backstory is revealed, which, in my opinion, is one of the film’s best scenes. After he’s had one too many alcoholic drinks, Miyagi drunkenly reveals how his wife and unborn son sadly died while he was serving in the Army. The heartbreak, vulnerability, and sympathy on display only strengthen the love and affection we have for this character. It’s a terrific performance from Pat Morita (who, by the way, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards for his portrayal of Mr. Miyagi) and only serves to make his character a much more cherished part of the story. When Daniel bows to him as well, following the reveal that Miygi was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the Infantry, is a moment filled with respect and appreciation for the person Miyagi represents; the support and help he has shown Daniel. It’s quietly powerful and speaks far louder than any words could’ve done. I’m so glad that Avildsen and the creative team fought the studio to keep that scene in because it further deepens their friendship and the bond they have created. In a way, that scene is the emotional centre of the movie.
At its core, the heart and soul of The Karate Kid is the wonderful friendship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. The bond that is forged and developed, the sweet gestures of kindness and gratitude that are shared along the way make for one of the most endearing and heart-warming cinematic friendships of the 1980s.
“Hey, you got a name?” - Daniel
“Ali with an I. Hey, what’s your name?” - Ali
“Daniel…with an L.” - Daniel
Outside of his wonderful friendship with Mr. Miyagi, Daniel also forms and develops a charming romantic connection with Ali - the rose between two thorns, if you will - throughout the film. Here, Shue (in her feature film debut) plays the love interest in Ali with so much loving energy carrying a very likable aura to her scenes and the film overall. She’s incredibly sweet and caring as she welcomes Daniel into her life with open arms, she’s also very supportive considering Ali attends the karate tournament that Daniel is participating in and attempts to offer her help in resolving the troubles he’s going through too. In general, there’s a pleasantness to her that further fuels and influences the tone of the film.
Also, it’s with her relationship with Daniel where The Karate Kid briefly explores and examines class division. She’s from the Hills (home to rich, upper-class families in big and lavish houses), and he’s from Reseda (an area in town populated by apartment complexes and lower-class families). They are from two opposite sides of the tracks, who come from different backgrounds, and their romance is, ultimately, frowned upon by Ali’s wealthy parents - who clearly prefer she date someone of a similar social class, like Johnny. In the end, though, this short trip down class division is merely just an afterthought in the film’s plot.
Her lovely smile, the natural chemistry she shares with Daniel LaRusso, and the fierceness she displays by punching Johnny Lawrence right in the face are just parts of what makes Ali one of my favorite characters in the movie. It’s in her character, I think, where The Karate Kid earns the tag of being a “sweet-tempered” movie and presents a certain youthful innocence to the story.
Speaking of Elizabeth Shue, her run in the 1980s deserves more recognition and appreciation. She was in a relatively popular Disney family-comedy (Adventures in Babysitting), she was in a movie with Tom Cruise (Cocktail), and she was in the sequel to one of the most beloved and commercially successful science-fiction films of all time (Back to the Future Part II). Her work across the ‘80s is pretty impressive, regardless of whether those films were actually any good, and is further proof of how talented she is as an actress.
“Sweep the leg” - Kreese
There can be no rousing, heartfelt “underdog beats the reigning champion” story without the youthful rage and angst of Johnny Lawrence, who starts Daniel’s journey and path to an inspirational, if unlikely, victory. Johnny, along with his group of friends, torments Daniel throughout the film beating him up and messing with him. They rule the school with an iron fist, seemingly getting the pick of the girls all whilst committing crimes that (by today's standards) call for some police action.
Look, I know that Johnny has been revised and reevaluated as a misunderstood character in the years after this film was released. He was heartbroken over his break-up with Ali who believed their relationship was not over, that Daniel may have ignited some of their fights (the Halloween party, for example), that he arguably lost to an illegal kick in the final of the All-Valley karate tournament, and that he was only doing what his ‘sensei’ - John Kreese (Martin Kove) - told and taught him. Indeed, this is a popular fan theory that Cobra Kai (which is a TV show streaming on Netflix) explores. But, as much as I would like to come around to the idea of Johnny as this misunderstood protagonist and the real hero of The Karate Kid, I can't. For all intents and purposes, Daniel was just trying to be friendly and nice and he had no idea the history between Ali and Johnny. Plus, call it lazy analysis, but the cobra kick is genuinely really cool and a true crowd-pleasing climax to the film.
Regardless, William/Billy Zabka is terrific as the film’s antagonist (or, for some fans, the ‘flawed hero’). The moment when Kreese orders him to take Daniel “out of commission”, the pure horror in Johnny's eyes as he sees Kreese for the person he truly is: a merciless man who will stop at nothing to maintain his intimidating presence and reputation, to validate his attacking ways of karate that “show no mercy”, and continue the success of his controversial teachings. It is such a great overlooked moment in the film; the mask has come off and the veil has been lifted as Johnny comes to respect Daniel in the process. Generally, just a really good performance from William Zabka.
To me, The Karate Kid perfectly captures the importance of perseverance and the determination and motivation to triumph when all the odds are stacked against you. In the years after its release in 1984, the martial arts film about karate has had an enduring legacy with its impact still being felt today. Following its commercial and box office success, The Karate Kid Part II and The Karate Kid Part III were born in the late ‘80s. A reboot would come soon after in 1994 (ten years after the original) with The Next Karate Kid, starring Hillary Swank in the lead role. Since the turn of the millennium, a remake would be made and released titled The Karate Kid in 2010 that saw Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith play the main characters. More recently, though, Netflix’s Cobra Kai - a show that tracks the continued evolution of characters from the first three Karate Kid films - would introduce the story to a new generation.
It resonates with me, reminding me why I appreciated and respected Taekwondo in the first place - honoring others and respecting people are the fruits of a better life. The same applies here, the discipline and humbleness Miyagi instills in Daniel is why this movie will never grow tiresome for me.
1984’s The Karate Kid fills me with so much joy, it’s an inspiring crowdpleaser and one of my favorite films of all time. It’s, in so many ways, a timeless classic!
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