The Karate Kid (1984)
Daniel moves with his mom from New Jersey to California. Daniel discovers quickly that his mother has an amazing new job. However, a dark-haired Italian boy accentuated with Jersey is not a good fit for the surfer community. Daniel is able to negotiate his way through some fights but is eventually surrounded by others who are from the same karate school. Daniel, who is suffering from the beatings, sees Miyagi. The elderly gardener jumps in to save Daniel by fighting half a dozen teens. Daniel and Miyagi soon discover the true motivation behind these boys’ violence. It is their karate instructor. Miyagi offers to teach Daniel Karate, and schedules a fight in the all-valley tournament a few months later. Daniel is unable to understand the lessons he’s being taught when karate training starts. Miyagi is more interested in Daniel painting fences and waxing cars than in teaching Karate. –John Vogel
Director: John G. Avildsen
Actors: Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove, Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio, Randee Heller, Ron Thomas, William Zabka
Country: United States