Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Ralph Macchio | ... | Daniel | |
Pat Morita | ... | Miyagi (as Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita) | |
Elisabeth Shue | ... | Ali | |
Martin Kove | ... | Kreese | |
Randee Heller | ... | Lucille | |
William Zabka | ... | Johnny | |
Ron Thomas | ... | Bobby | |
Rob Garrison | ... | Tommy | |
Chad McQueen | ... | Dutch | |
Tony O'Dell | ... | Jimmy | |
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Israel Juarbe | ... | Freddy |
William Bassett | ... | Mr. Mills | |
Larry B. Scott | ... | Jerry | |
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Juli Fields | ... | Susan |
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Dana Andersen | ... | Barbara |
Daniel and his mother move from New Jersey to California. She has a wonderful new job, but Daniel quickly discovers that a dark haired Italian boy with a Jersey accent doesn't fit into the blond surfer crowd. Daniel manages to talk his way out of some fights, but he is finally cornered by several who belong to the same karate school. As Daniel is passing out from the beating he sees Miyagi, the elderly gardener leaps into the fray and save him by outfighting half a dozen teenagers. Miyagi and Daniel soon find out the real motivator behind the boys' violent attitude in the form of their karate teacher. Miyagi promises to teach Daniel karate and arranges a fight at the all-valley tournament some months off. When his training begins, Daniel doesn't understand what he is being shown. Miyagi seems more interested in having Daniel paint fences and wax cars than teaching him Karate. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
While John Hughs' films may be the standard for teen flicks in the 1980s, Hughs' films were just a few of the great and unique teen films to be released in that decade. Coupled with Back to the Future, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, the 80s was a rather unique time for teen movies. The Karate Kid just happened to be another one of those films. With the immortal Pat Morita leading the way, this film was not only touching, but put a whole new spin on the `zero-to-hero' story line which we have all seen too often. Ralph Macchio may have had no career after these film, but at least he proved to be comparable as Daniel (san). Sure, the ending and outcome proved to be a little predictable, but the film was still a winner.