Movie of the Day – The Karate Kid

Try to be best
‘Cause you’re only a man
And a man’s gotta learn to take it

Try to believe
Though the going gets rough
That you gotta hang tough to make it

History repeats itself
Try and you’ll succeed

Never doubt that you’re the one
And you can have your dreams!

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you dow-ow-ow-ow-own

Fight ‘til the end
Cause your life will depend
On the strength that you have inside you

Ah you gotta be proud
starin’ out in the cloud
When the odds in the game defy you

Try your best to win them all
and one day time will tell
when you’re the one that’s standing there
you’ll reach the final bell!

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you dow-ow-ow-ho-how-ho-own

INSPIRING GUITAR SOLO

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you dow-ow-ow-ow-own

Fight ‘til you drop
never stop
can’t give up
Til you reach the top (FIGHT!)
you’re the best in town (FIGHT!)
Listen to that sound
A little bit of all you got
Can never bring you down

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!

repeat to fade, occasional background shouts of “Oh Ye-eah!”

Newly arrived in California from New Jersey, teenager Daniel (Ralph Macchio) almost immediately runs afoul of karate-trained high school bullies. He is rescued by Japanese janitor Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita), who agrees to teach Daniel how to harness karate for good instead of brutality. The film culminates in a championship karate bout, pitting Daniel against his sworn enemy Johnny (William Zabka) — the cruel and thuggish boyfriend of Ali (Elisabeth Shue), with whom Daniel has fallen in love (and vice versa). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

If there is one thing that people will remember from this movie as the most iconic moment from the good version of The Karate Kid, it’s either “wax on, wax off”  and one of the best montage song in history.  I mean who doesn’t feel like kicking ass in the All Valley Karate Tournament once the Joe Esposito song comes on.  Crane Kicks MOTHERFUCKER!  But seriously, The Karate Kid is basically as warm as a bowl of miso soup, it’s predictable, safe, but a completely satisfying experience.  This is more due to Morita and Macchio’s very relaxed relationship in this movie and how pleasant it all comes off as.  What better student/teacher film relationship is there in film, other than Apollo Creed and Rocky?  None cause Morita is awesome and Macchio just does all his handy work.

I am curious as to how many kids started doing chores around the house, hoping that their years of waxing their father cars and shit will someday lead to them having karate like discipline.  I will tell you this, it doesn’t work.  It just makes you really good at waxing cars and sweeping the house.  What a load of crap man.  I guess maybe you needed your own japanese handyman to facilitate some life lessons.  Also lets talk about Mr. Miyagi in this movie.  How fucking badass is that dude.  In one scene he hops over a tall fence and kicks the shit out of a bunch of snot nosed punks without breaking a sweat.  I mean that’s awesome when given the fact that he could have snapped and recalled a memory from his time of fighting the Germans and just went on a murderous rampage, but he doesn’t cause years of clipping that Bonsai plant has given him inner peace.  Also he managed to manipulate some kid into doing a lot of his work that he should be doing.  Karate bitches, mind powers.

I do have a hang up about this movie that has bugged me for a while.  In the All Valley Tournament deal, Danny wins the final match with an extremely illegal kick to face!  He broke one of the rules of the tournament and still wins.  I guess if you beat up fucking Zabka it’s ok to break the rules.

The Karate Kid is a timeless classic, much like Ralph Macchio doesn’t seem to age.  It’s powered by fond memories of those victims of bullying hoping to one day crane kick someone in the face, but that is just me being snarky.  The movie is actually very touching, while a bit too sappy, but the relationship between Miyagi and Danny is heartfelt as Miyagi becomes the surrogate father to Danny and doles out life lessons to him.  It’s those touching moments that help build up the relationship and movie, leading to the predictable ending that feels complete.  Also we can’t forget about the kick montage soundtrack that blows the socks off every other montage out there.