<*dv_3*> For the last 25 years the word "creative" has been a bit of a misnomer in Tinseltown. Rather then encourage new talent and off the wall ideas, major film studios play it safe and use the same tired formula ad infinitum. As sure as night follows day if a certain idea is succesful (lets say Big) , the following year will see a slew of identical films attempting to tap into the zeitgeist.(Like Father Like Son, Vice Versa ect..). The law of diminishing returns usually applies.
Following the incredible success of Rocky the studios were looking to film a low budget teen version of that franchise, but with a twist. By tapping into the martial arts boom of the time and roping in Rocky director Avildsen they managed to buck the trend of producing underperforming facsimiles.
<*dv_0*> Filmed on a shoestring, Karate Kid is the story of out-of-towner Daniel Larusso (Macchio) who moves to a new school and gets picked on by the local martial arts gang (The Kobrai Kai). Odd-job man (Morita) witnesses a beating oustide his apartment and decides to intervene. But oh no, he's no ordinary janitor, no sir, he is a high-kicking pensioner who despatches the young upstarts with a few defts moves of his own. Miyagi feels sorry for the boy and goes down to the local dojo to have a word with their Sensei, psychopathic vietnam vet Kreese (Kove) in an effort to stop the beatings. He agrees to call his charges off as long as Miyagi trains his protege for the All Valley Karate tournament. Surely he is going to get the sh*t kicked out of him you say. Don't be silly this is the 80's.
Cue traditional Rocky fare; training scenes, self-doubt, a love interest (a rather plump but gorgeous Shue) and the against-all-odds grand finale all topped off with Miyagi's now legendary cod mysticism. For generic ideas to stand the test of time theyhave to be carried off with a great deal of panache. A memorable script, well-rounded characters and the directors ability to instill light and shade in the subject matter ensure audience empathy with whether Larusso gets pulped or not.
Morita is the star of the show and his clipped philosphising can best be described as "Confucius-lite". His love-hate relationship with "Danielsan" is central to the story and it is that which generates most of the stand out moments. Few will forget his "wax on, wax off" training regime as he devises increasingly back breaking menial tasks in order to get Larusso's karate skills/Miyagi's house up to scratch before the big day. Macchio is great as the wise-cracking, if slightly whiney wiseguy from New Jersey but never really managed to break free from the shadow of this film and his last notable role was in My Cousin Vinny playing a, yes, you've guessed it wise-cracking wiseguy.
<*dv_2*> The Kobrai-Kai ham up their roles in typical over the top 80's fashion and their attempts to taunt Larusso are straight out of the "Bad Guys for Beginners" handbook. Kove revels in his role as it's unhinged leader (Chuck Norris turned down the part). He extols the virtues of mercy being for the weak and pain not existing in his dojo. It's not oscar-winning stuff but it's great character acting.
The piece-de-resistance is the final All Valley Tournament. The montage of fight highlights on the road to the final (backed by Joe Esposito's "You're the Best around") is probably one of the high points in cinema history. I defy anyone not to feel a wave of cheesy euphoria when Larusso delivers his tournament winning crane kick to dramatic effect.
Sadly, although not without merit, the subsequent fims that made up the trilogy (I purposely don't include the abomination that is the Next Karate Kid which starred a pre-oscar winning Hilary Swank) failed to match the impact, drama and excitement of the original.
<*dv_1*> I guess Miyagi would sum it up us thus:
"Studio make boxing themed rag-to-riches story; fame await. Studio make martial arts inspired teen copy; fortune await. Studio try trick third time with female lead, get squish. Just like grape."
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