“The Karate Kid” is one of the most well-known films to come out of the 1980’s. Even though it’s over twenty years old, it still entertains and uplifts audiences today.
Daniel LaRusso’s father has recently died, and he and his mother decide to move from New England to California and start all over again. The apartment they find is rented out by an Okinawan man named Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita).
Daniel (Ralph Macchio) has a tough time getting settled in school. Everything is just so different from what he’s used to. When he spots Ali Mills, (Elisabeth Shue) he starts to think California won’t be so bad after all, but Ali has an ex-boyfriend named Johnny who’s determined to keep all the other guys away from her. When Johnny instigates a fight, Daniel pulls out some karate moves he learned from books, only to find that Johnny is a much better fighter. Daniel gets creamed.
Johnny and his friends all attend karate class at Cobra Kai. Their teacher is ruthless and has taught them to show no mercy. When Daniel pulls a prank on them at the school Halloween party, they exact their revenge, and Daniel is helpless to defend himself. Suddenly Mr. Miyagi appears and uses a unique form of martial art to defend Daniel and gets him out of there, but Daniel is so injured, he can barely make it home.
Daniel is amazed that Mr. Miyagi possesses such power and strength, and begs to be taught. Mr. Miyagi is hesitant at first, but Daniel persists, and the lessons begin. But they’re unlike any lessons Daniel has ever had before – they consist of washing and waxing a car, painting a fence, sanding a deck, and doing all Mr. Miyagi’s odd jobs for him. Finally, Daniel confronts the teacher, wanting to know why he’s been asked to do all this work with no actual lessons, and Mr. Miyagi shows him how each of the chores have taught Daniel a move that he would need to know in order to block kicks and blows. Cleverly, Mr. Miyagi has been training Daniel this whole time.
In sharp contrast to the Cobra’s methodology of “no mercy,” Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel to only strike when necessary, to use self-control at all times, and not to lose his temper. Focus, concentration, and self-mastery are the keys, and this teaching gives Daniel an advantage over the rage and cruelty that rules the other boys.
Karate was really becoming big as a means of self-defense at the time this movie came out, and it showed the audience the value of keeping yourself under control and not fighting just for the sake of it. Today it reminds us the importance of determination and self-mastery in all we do.
I do offer my usual caveat that there is a little language and violence in the film and you may wish to preview it before showing it to your children. However, for the lessons it teaches in how to deal with a bully and how to control your anger, I’d highly recommend it for anyone over the age of, say, ten.
This movie is rated PG.
Related blogs:
Family Traditions: Movie Nights