Saturday 27 March 2021

The Karate Kid (1984 John G Avildsen)

Scored like a pop video and with its eye keenly on the teen market. Ralph Macchio is likeable as the New York punk who is straightened out by karate (and bonsai) guru Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita - in fact with his bicycle fixing abilities, beautiful house, collection of vintage cars, is there anything this guy can't do?

That reference to the Manzanar camp where his fictitious wife died was in fact where Morita and his family were interned during the war. He was Oscar nominated for this, had previously been a stand up comic, and appeared lots on TV in Happy Days and things.

Elisabeth Shue is the spunky girlfriend, Randee Heller mom, William Zabka the School Bully, Martin Kove the evil karate master.

Didn't know James Crabe on camera. Has the look that it's shot at one end of the day or other. Avildsen is co-editor. Columbia.

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