The Karate Kid is another movie that falls in the classic
David Vs. Goliath plot where new kid on the block is
Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is tormented by the school bully
Johnny (William Zabka) who just so happens to be "King Karate". Unlike
Three O'Clock High, this film is rich with small details that you don't think much of, but pay off in a big way later on. This is best exemplified by way of two pivotal scenes that take place.
The first being the
'Wax on, wax off' scene. Every newcomer to the film will not immediately pick up on how
Miyagi (Pat Morita) is teaching
Daniel. We all think that he is just using him to do hard labor to 'pay off' for the forthcoming lessons. It's only when in a fit of frustration that it comes out that he was being taught the basics all along. Even
Miyagi says "all is not what it seems". I thought it was revolutionary in how these smaller scenes paid off in such a profound and satisfying way when it's finally revealed to us.
The other scene that most people probably never catch onto, other than the heartbreaking revelation of
Miyagi's past regarding his wife and unborn child, is that the relationship between him and
Daniel is made all the more clearer and why he bonded with him as he did.
Daniel is more or less the son he never had, and he in turn was the father figure that he's been searching for ever since his own father passed away.. This is brilliant writing and why it's one of my all time favorite movies. It's in my
Top 10 and has been that way since the day I saw it opening day.
Awesome story, great characters and the actors were made for this. Also, it's got
Elizabeth Shue, who I had a major crush on as well. Still do to this day actually. She's the only reason why I have stuck with
CSI this year. Anyway, if your a fan of the High School genre, David Vs Goliath or martial arts, this is the one to get. Highly recommend this as a
Buy.