This is a true classic from the 1980’s. If you have never seen The Karate Kid, then you surely you must have heard of it. It was a standout picture from this decade, and brought some remember able moments in cinematic history. John G. Avildsen directed this one, and it was written by Robert Mark Kamen.
The simple tagline was “Only the ‘Old One’ could teach him the secrets of the masters”
The basic story is about a boy who grows up trying to fit in. He is lost without his former friends from where he lived before. He fancy’s a girl at school who has had a better life than him in some ways. He wants to be popular and yet surprisingly tries many ways to find acceptance at the new school he is at. He has no father, and is raised by a single mother. The character Daniel Larusso played by Ralph Macchio is mentored by the late Pat Morita who plays the infamous Mr. Kesuke Miyagi. He teaches Daniel discipline through the ways of martial arts, particularly karate. Miyagi molds Daniel into growing up with his wits and using his fists as a last resort.
Daniel loves his mother dearly, and would willingly do anything he could to help her. There are moments of teen frustration and anguish throughout the story, which most people should identify with. He meets up with Elisabeth Shue who plays Ali Mills she helps to encourage him along the way while falling for him. The final showdown happens later between Daniel and Johnny Lawrence who is played by William Zabka who does an excellent job playing a real jerk. More appearances in this include Ron Thomas as Bobby Brown, Rob Garrison as Tommy, Chad McQueen as Dutch, Tony O’Dell as Jimmy, Martin Kove is John Kreese, Israel Juarbe is Freddy Fernandez, and William Bassett is Mr. Mills. Larry B. Scott is Jerry, Juli Fields is Susan, and Dana Andersen is Barbara.
I think the characters are interesting and you get to know them well in the story, this movie spawned a total of 3 more sequels, and the entire collection is available on DVD. You will appreciate seeing this one. I recommend everyone to watch this if you haven’t already. Peter Cetera’s “Glory of Love” would later be used as the theme song in the sequel “The Karate Kid, Part II (1986)”.
This is easily one of the best comedies that I’ve ever seen. I think you will enjoy this also, if you haven’t seen it yet. The concept, the cast and the pieces of the puzzle all come together seamlessly. Jonathan Lynn directed this who is a writer, director and actor which gives him an advantage working with the cast he had and he got marvelous performances from them. He directed other hits including The Whole Nine Yards (2000). It was written by Dale Launer and the tagline was: “Rambo. Terminator. Indiana Jones. Vinny Gambini.”
In this movie the story setup goes like this, two best friends from New York receive scholarships to UCLA in California, they decide to head through the south on their way west and stop along the way in Alabama for food. Little do they realize what a world of trouble they would find, when they are mistakenly identified as two robbers who killed and robbed a small convenience store. They are in dire need of help from what happened, as a last resort they turn to Vincent ‘Vinny’ Gambini played by Joe Pesci for legal assistance. The two friends are played by Ralph Macchio as William ‘Billy’ Gambini who is best known as Daniel Larusso from The Karate Kid (1984) and Mitchell Whitfield who plays Stan Rothenstein.
Marisa Tomei plays Mona Lisa Vito who is the fiancée of Vincent ‘Vinny’ Gambini. She won an Oscar for her performance as Best Actress in a Supporting Role. After seeing this you will see why, it was a fantastic portrayal alongside Pesci’s character. The late Fred Gwynne appears in this as Judge Chamberlain Haller it was his final appearance on screen. He played an excellent part, and will be remembered from his body of work on the small screen as well such as “Car 54, Where Are You?” as Officer Francis Muldoon and the loveable Herman Munster from the television series “The Munsters”.
You will also recognize the late Lane Smith who plays the prosecuting attorney for the state D.A. Jim Trotter, III. I happen to remember him from the comedy movie Son in Law (1993) with Pauly Shore and Carla Gugino playing the father Walter Warner. He has appeared in numerous television shows and films as well. Austin Pendleton plays John Gibbons who is the state defense attorney that gets appointed to defend the boys at one point in the film. Bruce McGill plays Sheriff Dean Farley and does an excellent job with the role. You will also recognize him from television as well. I remember him from the television series “MacGyver” as Jack Dalton. Maury Chaykin plays Sam Tipton, Paulene Myers is Constance Riley, Raynor Scheine plays Ernie Crane, James Rebhorn is George Wilbur, Michael Simpson plays Neckbrace , Lou Walker is the Grits Cook and Chris Ellis is J.T.
You are in for a real treat if you haven’t seen this one yet, I highly recommend this film it has style and a good sense of humor to it. I think it transcends stereotypes from the north and south and how people sometimes perceive each other. It will surely put a smile on your face and give you a few good laughs.
