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Karate Kid, TheIf you're old enough to remember the 1980s, then it's possible that you were young enough to think that no other film could ever be as entertaining as The Karate Kid. What can now be seen as an attempt by Rocky helmer John Avildsen to re-heat a successful formula then simply seemed like the most impressive cavalcade of kick-ass action this side of 'The A-Team'. But with kids. Ralph Macchio plays East Coast boy Daniel who has trouble fitting in when his mom moves to California. Cue bullying and entrance of Pat Norita's enigmatic old karate master, who choses Daniel to be his prot?©g?©.
Of course, if you look at the movie now, there's clearly an awful lot wrong there. A stereotyped Oriental character, the biggest hair this side of Bon Jovi, clothing in colours that defy the spectrum: this is very obviously a product of its age. But this, ironically, is also a big part of the film's appeal for The Karate Kid belongs so irredemiably to its time that you can't feel anything other than affection toward it.
Avildsen's film would still possess a certain curiosity value even if it wasn't so much fun. Besides fine supporting work from Steve McQueen's son Chad, there's an early, puppy fat encased performance from Elisabeth Shue and an uncredited turn by her brother Andrew. The Karate Kid also features the fiendishly sadistic presence of Martin Kove, star of the very nasty The Last House On The Left.
There's nothing unpleasant on show here, though. A likeable leading man, a smidgen of soccer and enough martial arts to satisfy those not allowed to watch Bruce Lee: it's no wonder we were so excited about the sequel. Until we heard the theme song from Peter Cetera, that is.
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