Rating: PG
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 06/22/1984(USA)
Release Date: 04/14/1998
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English/French/Espanol
Sound: DDS
Run Time: 127 Minutes
Flags: Mild Violence, Watch With Your Kids, Suitable for Teens
Distributor/Studio: Columbia TriStar
Newly arrived in California from New Jersey, teenager
Daniel (
Ralph Macchio) almost immediately runs afoul of karate-trained high school bullies. He is rescued by Japanese janitor
Miyagi (
Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), who agrees to teach
Daniel how to harness karate for good instead of brutality. The film culminates in a championship karate bout, pitting
Daniel against his sworn enemy
Johnny (
William Zabka) - the cruel and thuggish boyfriend of
Ali (
Elisabeth Shue) with whom
Daniel has fallen in love (and vice-versa). Real-life karate champ
Chuck Norris was offered the role of
Kreese, the sadistic coach who goads
Johnny into fighting dirty, but
Norris turned down the role, refusing to be shown utilizing his skills negatively on screen. Vastly popular,
The Karate Kid spawned three sequels of rapidly descending merit, as well as a Saturday morning cartoon series.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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