T. Rigney (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} filmfiend) wrote,@ 2006-05-15 16:14:00 |
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The Karate Kid
Ralph Macchio whines his way into cinematic history.
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When I was but a wee person with thick glasses and unruly hair, I would watch John G. Avildsen's classic tale of a scrawny youth's struggle to fit in with the California lifestyle every single day after school. Though the copy I had -- recorded from an airing on HBO -- was missing the first five to ten minutes, it didn't stop me from watching Daniel LaRusso lock horns with the sadistic members of John Kreese's Cobra Kai dojo with the help of the iconic Mr. Miyagi, portrayed with loving grace by Pat Morita. It's a movie that's actually aged quite well, and considering it's been roughly a dozen years or so since I've experienced its glory, my ability to enjoy it as an adult pushing 30 says something about its timeless qualities. And regardless of whether you're 8 or 28, the film's message still manages to come through loud and clear. I DARE you not to cheer when Daniel sends the vicious Johnny Lawrence crawling across the mat at the film's thrilling conclusion.
The film stars little Ralph Macchio -- who was actually in his early-20's at the movie was shot -- as Daniel LaRusso, a New Jersey boy forced to move with his single mom to Recita, California. After an invitation to a beach party finds him flirting with blonde beauty Ali Mills (Elizabeth Shue), Daniel comes face-to-face with his worst nightmare, also known as Ali's ex-boyfriend Johnny Lawrence and his karate cronies. In an attempt to be the hero he so desperately wishes to be, Daniel interrupts an argument between Ali and Johnny, only to wind up face down in the sand after a severe beating from the Cobra Kai dojo's star pupil. Daniel, sadly, isn't the brightest stain on the mattress, and a Halloween prank gone wrong finds him getting his booty beat once again by Lawrence, though this potentially fatal encounter is halted by the mysterious Mr. Miyagi, a reclusive handyman who just so happens to be a karate master. A trip to the Cobra Kai dojo to ask the sensei (Martin Kove) for a little mercy turns nasty, forcing Miyagi to enlist Daniel in the All-Valley Karate Championship. The catch? Johnny and his boys must leave Daniel alone so he can train for the tournament without the fear of getting stomped every single day of his life. So begins the historic training sequence, filled with all the waxing, painting, and sanding a growing karate master needs. Will Daniel be strong enough to overcome the impossible? More importantly, can he stop whining long enough to get the girl AND win the championship title?
Robert Mark Kamen's heartfelt script is handled perfectly by Avildsen, whose laid-back approach to what could have been an over-the-top martial arts picture keeps things grounded for the most part. The fight scenes, while brutal in their own way, are void of unnecessary style and showmanship; instead of spinning and flailing and defying the very laws of gravity, the karate sequences are very realistic, filmed in short energetic bursts. I don't think a single fight lasts longer than two minutes or so, and nobody executes a move you wouldn't see at the various karate tournaments held in your area every year. If helmed by anyone else, The Karate Kid could have been yet another failed American martial arts movie, which always seem to be stale, boring, and ultimately forgettable. Here, the action takes a backseat to the drama, giving you plenty of time to get to know the characters long before the hardcore karate scenes kick into overdrive. I must admit that the showdown between Daniel and the Cobra Kai's at the championship STILL gives me chills.
As far as the performances go, everyone simply dazzles. Ralph Macchio IS Daniel LaRusso. Elizabeth Shue IS Ali Mills. Martin Kove IS John Kreese. I can't imagine these roles handled by anyone else, and if the inevitable remake ever comes to fruition, I seriously doubt the idiots they get for these roles will come close to matching the chemistry the original cast had in spades. I really can't think of a single moment where I thought, "Gosh. THAT wasn't so good." The only problems I have with the movie come from the characters themselves. I mean, WHY does Daniel keep pushing the Cobra Kai's buttons when he knows they could kick his scrawny behind across the state without breaking a sweat? Why does he constantly whine when the consequences of his actions come flying at his face like so many well-executed karate kicks? Macchio manages to make you feel for Daniel despite the many mistakes he makes throughout the course of the movie. Why he never achieved success outside of this classic series is beyond me.
Of course, you can't talk about the performances without spending quite a bit of time on Pat Morita, who's Oscar-nominated performance as Mr. Kesuke Miyagi is the one the late actor will ALWAYS be remembered for. The former stand-up comedian worked in a number of television shows and low-rent motion pictures before becoming the legendary karate master Miyagi, the man who turns wimpy Daniel LaRusso into a lean, mean, crane-kicking machine. Surprisingly, it wasn't until I sat down to write this review that I discovered Morita had received kudos from the Academy for his performance in The Karate Kid. I'm really not surprised. He plays the part to perfection, so much so that you can't help but scream "Mr. Miyagi!" when you see him in other movies. Sadly, one of his final performances was in James Lew's abysmal 18 Fingers of Death, which just goes to show that even gifted actors have a hard time finding work in this WB-centric generation. I weep for the future of cinema.
The Karate Kid, however, is the very definition of movie magic. The story's just right, the action is brutal yet realistic, and the direction couldn't be smarter. It was one of my favorite movies as a kid, and though I have quite a few favorites as an adult, I'm not afraid to admit that I can still sit down with the likes of Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi without even a hint of guilt. That's because Avildsen's classic tale of overcoming impossible odds is one that could be viewed by the young and old alike. The first sequel is a worthy addition to the mythos, while parts three and four are downright pathetic. Word of advice to those looking to invest in this franchise: purchase the first two and ignore the rest. Don't get suckered into the buying the box set, as it's really not worth the money.
Miyagi would definitely not approve.
Ralph Macchio whines his way into cinematic history.
---
When I was but a wee person with thick glasses and unruly hair, I would watch John G. Avildsen's classic tale of a scrawny youth's struggle to fit in with the California lifestyle every single day after school. Though the copy I had -- recorded from an airing on HBO -- was missing the first five to ten minutes, it didn't stop me from watching Daniel LaRusso lock horns with the sadistic members of John Kreese's Cobra Kai dojo with the help of the iconic Mr. Miyagi, portrayed with loving grace by Pat Morita. It's a movie that's actually aged quite well, and considering it's been roughly a dozen years or so since I've experienced its glory, my ability to enjoy it as an adult pushing 30 says something about its timeless qualities. And regardless of whether you're 8 or 28, the film's message still manages to come through loud and clear. I DARE you not to cheer when Daniel sends the vicious Johnny Lawrence crawling across the mat at the film's thrilling conclusion.
The film stars little Ralph Macchio -- who was actually in his early-20's at the movie was shot -- as Daniel LaRusso, a New Jersey boy forced to move with his single mom to Recita, California. After an invitation to a beach party finds him flirting with blonde beauty Ali Mills (Elizabeth Shue), Daniel comes face-to-face with his worst nightmare, also known as Ali's ex-boyfriend Johnny Lawrence and his karate cronies. In an attempt to be the hero he so desperately wishes to be, Daniel interrupts an argument between Ali and Johnny, only to wind up face down in the sand after a severe beating from the Cobra Kai dojo's star pupil. Daniel, sadly, isn't the brightest stain on the mattress, and a Halloween prank gone wrong finds him getting his booty beat once again by Lawrence, though this potentially fatal encounter is halted by the mysterious Mr. Miyagi, a reclusive handyman who just so happens to be a karate master. A trip to the Cobra Kai dojo to ask the sensei (Martin Kove) for a little mercy turns nasty, forcing Miyagi to enlist Daniel in the All-Valley Karate Championship. The catch? Johnny and his boys must leave Daniel alone so he can train for the tournament without the fear of getting stomped every single day of his life. So begins the historic training sequence, filled with all the waxing, painting, and sanding a growing karate master needs. Will Daniel be strong enough to overcome the impossible? More importantly, can he stop whining long enough to get the girl AND win the championship title?
Robert Mark Kamen's heartfelt script is handled perfectly by Avildsen, whose laid-back approach to what could have been an over-the-top martial arts picture keeps things grounded for the most part. The fight scenes, while brutal in their own way, are void of unnecessary style and showmanship; instead of spinning and flailing and defying the very laws of gravity, the karate sequences are very realistic, filmed in short energetic bursts. I don't think a single fight lasts longer than two minutes or so, and nobody executes a move you wouldn't see at the various karate tournaments held in your area every year. If helmed by anyone else, The Karate Kid could have been yet another failed American martial arts movie, which always seem to be stale, boring, and ultimately forgettable. Here, the action takes a backseat to the drama, giving you plenty of time to get to know the characters long before the hardcore karate scenes kick into overdrive. I must admit that the showdown between Daniel and the Cobra Kai's at the championship STILL gives me chills.
As far as the performances go, everyone simply dazzles. Ralph Macchio IS Daniel LaRusso. Elizabeth Shue IS Ali Mills. Martin Kove IS John Kreese. I can't imagine these roles handled by anyone else, and if the inevitable remake ever comes to fruition, I seriously doubt the idiots they get for these roles will come close to matching the chemistry the original cast had in spades. I really can't think of a single moment where I thought, "Gosh. THAT wasn't so good." The only problems I have with the movie come from the characters themselves. I mean, WHY does Daniel keep pushing the Cobra Kai's buttons when he knows they could kick his scrawny behind across the state without breaking a sweat? Why does he constantly whine when the consequences of his actions come flying at his face like so many well-executed karate kicks? Macchio manages to make you feel for Daniel despite the many mistakes he makes throughout the course of the movie. Why he never achieved success outside of this classic series is beyond me.
Of course, you can't talk about the performances without spending quite a bit of time on Pat Morita, who's Oscar-nominated performance as Mr. Kesuke Miyagi is the one the late actor will ALWAYS be remembered for. The former stand-up comedian worked in a number of television shows and low-rent motion pictures before becoming the legendary karate master Miyagi, the man who turns wimpy Daniel LaRusso into a lean, mean, crane-kicking machine. Surprisingly, it wasn't until I sat down to write this review that I discovered Morita had received kudos from the Academy for his performance in The Karate Kid. I'm really not surprised. He plays the part to perfection, so much so that you can't help but scream "Mr. Miyagi!" when you see him in other movies. Sadly, one of his final performances was in James Lew's abysmal 18 Fingers of Death, which just goes to show that even gifted actors have a hard time finding work in this WB-centric generation. I weep for the future of cinema.
The Karate Kid, however, is the very definition of movie magic. The story's just right, the action is brutal yet realistic, and the direction couldn't be smarter. It was one of my favorite movies as a kid, and though I have quite a few favorites as an adult, I'm not afraid to admit that I can still sit down with the likes of Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi without even a hint of guilt. That's because Avildsen's classic tale of overcoming impossible odds is one that could be viewed by the young and old alike. The first sequel is a worthy addition to the mythos, while parts three and four are downright pathetic. Word of advice to those looking to invest in this franchise: purchase the first two and ignore the rest. Don't get suckered into the buying the box set, as it's really not worth the money.
Miyagi would definitely not approve.
