The Karate Kid

Synopsis

After moving to LA, Daniel becomes the target of the local bully after a confrontation at the beach. After multiple beat downs, the building manager helps him to learn Karate and fight in the local tournament.

Review

So I am watching this and hearing the language and thinking to myself? Holy crap there is a lot of language for a PG movie. Then I remembered that this was before the creation of PG-13. So heads up everyone.

So having not watched this movie since I was probably 10 or so, I didn't realize that while Daniel isn't in the wrong, he sucker punches Johnny. Now, I know that there is a growing theory that Daniel is the bad guy and he won using an illegal move, I am not sure that I can agree with that. Much like First Blood where Rambo isn't really the good guy, Daniel isn't the bad guy. Everyone is wrong, including the girl. Also, there is no rule about no head kicks. You see them throughout the entire tournament and Johnny uses one earlier in the fight. So everyone is wrong.

The story itself is in line with what you expected. Guy likes girl, girl likes guy, ex-boyfriend is a tool. I really am not sure what else could have or would have to be changed to make it a different movie, but this did come out in 1984, so we get the benefit of it being less common of a story.

My Rating

I am not really sure how I feel about this movie. I mean, the lessons from Mr. Miyagi and the story he represents is by far the heaviest and most profound portion of the movie. However, that is glossed over so quickly that it feels like it was inserted to give a 1984 checkmark rather than anything of true value to the story. The fight is terrible in 2025, and the part people play seems to be over the top for me. I really want to give it a 6, but I think that is being unfair since I was expecting something so much more since there is such a large following now with Cobra Kai coming out and it being mentioned in How I Met Your Mother, but it just doesn't live up to that hype for me. I am going to give it a 7 though since it was my expectations that are playing are larger role of my displeasure.

Parental Rating

I told you in the very beginning that this movie was before PG-13 existed and it shows. Lots of language throughout the movie to a point that I am amazed that my dad let me and my brothers watch this. Now, he would be so upset about it for sure. There is of course violence, but it is very tame. There is no sexual content, with the exception of an aggressive unwanted kiss. Rejected by both mainly due to the language.

Want to get a hold of me?
Email | reviews@epicscreentime.com

None of the link provided are sponsored or affiliate links, unless otherwise notated.