The Karate Kid
Movie, 1984, Miyagi-Do, Set in 1984
The Karate Kid is #1 of 7 in release order and #1 of 7 in chronological order in the The Karate Kid.
The story
New Jersey teen Daniel LaRusso moves to Los Angeles with his mother, and soon strikes up a relationship with Ali. He quickly finds himself the target of bullying by a group of thugs, led by Ali's ex-boyfriend Johnny, who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo under ruthless sensei John Kreese. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi, an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate for self-defense and, later, preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.
The Karate Kid recap
Daniel LaRusso and his mother Lucille move from New Jersey to Reseda, California. Daniel falls for Ali Mills, which angers her ex-boyfriend Johnny Lawrence, the star of the Cobra Kai dojo, whose sensei John Kreese teaches his students to strike first and show no mercy. Johnny and his friends beat Daniel up repeatedly, until on Halloween they nearly kill him and the apartment building's quiet handyman, Mr. Miyagi, fights them all off. Miyagi goes to Cobra Kai to call a truce, and Kreese agrees to leave Daniel alone until the All Valley Karate Tournament, where Daniel must fight. Miyagi trains Daniel by making him wax cars, sand floors and paint fences, which turn out to be the basic blocks of karate. On the anniversary of his wife's death in an internment camp, Miyagi gets drunk, and Daniel learns of his past as a decorated soldier.
The Karate Kid ending explained
Daniel wins his way to the tournament semi-finals, where Kreese orders a Cobra Kai student to injure his leg. Miyagi uses a healing technique to dull the pain, and Daniel returns to face Johnny in the final. Kreese tells Johnny to sweep the leg, but Daniel, standing on one foot, wins with the crane kick. Johnny hands him the trophy himself.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid is streaming on Netflix and YouTube TV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes 81%
Where it fits
- Release order: first, before The Karate Kid Part II.
- Chronological order: first, before The Karate Kid Part II.
What to watch before The Karate Kid
Nothing. The Karate Kid is the first of the The Karate Kid essentials, so it's the place to start.
Cast
- Ralph Macchio as Daniel
- Pat Morita as Miyagi
- Elisabeth Shue as Ali
- William Zabka as Johnny
- Martin Kove as Kreese
- Randee Heller as Lucille
- Ron Thomas as Bobby
- Rob Garrison as Tommy
- Chad McQueen as Dutch
- Tony O'Dell as Jimmy
- Israel Juarbe as Freddy
- William Bassett as Mr. Mills
Directed by John G. Avildsen.