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Features: Special Edition, DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Dolby Surround Sound, English, Spanish, Subtitled
A fatherless teenager faces his moment of truth in The Karate Kid. Daniel (Ralph Macchio) arrives in Los Angeles from the east coast and faces the difficult task of making new friends. However, he becomes the object of bullying by the Cobras, a menacing gang of karate students, when he strikes up a relationship with Ali (Elisabeth Shue), the Cobra leader's ex-girlfriend. Eager to fight back and impress his new girlfriend but afraid to confront the dangerous gang, Daniel asks his handyman Miyagi (Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita), whom he learns is a master of the martial arts, to teach him karate. Miyagi teaches Daniel that karate is a mastery over the self, mind, and body and that fighting is always the last answer to a problem. Under Miyagi's guidance, Daniel develops not only physical skills but also the faith and self-confidence to compete despite tremendous odds as he encounters the fight of his life in the exciting finale to this entertaining film.
Editor's Note
In John G. Avildsen's THE KARATE KID, Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and his mother (Randee Heller) move from New Jersey to Southern California, where he's not too keen about his new home--until he meets Ali (Elizabeth Shue), an attractive girl who seems to like him. But trouble looms when Ali's ex-boyfriend (William Zabka) and his gang of ruffians start tormenting Daniel. One day, as Daniel is suffering a beating at the hands of these louts, Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), an elderly Japanese handyman, comes to his rescue. To Daniel's amazement, Miyagi manages to take down the whole group all by himself using karate. Daniel begs to learn this ancient martial art, and soon Miyagi begins the boy's training, teaching Daniel that there is more to karate than fighting. Through a series of lessons, the wise mentor instills a sense of honor and nobility in his young pupil while preparing him for the ultimate karate showdown. However, as Daniel studies the discipline and art of karate, his enemies are learning a dirtier kind of fighting from Kreese (Martin Kove), a cold-blooded ex-marine. Ultimately, the boys will fight to the finish in the All Valley Karate Championship in a rousing and triumphant finale. Morita is a gem as the elderly father figure Miyagi, giving the character warmth, wisdom, and comic charm. Macchio's underdog character inspired an entire generation to run out and join the nearest karate school while chanting "wax on, wax off."
Plot Summary
When a New Jersey teenager relocates to sunny southern California, he finds trouble in the form of bullies and a friend in the form of Mr. Miyagi, the local handyman who teaches him karate.
| Features | Audio: English Dolby Digital Stereo | | Director Commentary | | Featurettes | | Interactive Menus | | Making Of The Karate Kid | | Original Theatrical Trailer | | Scene Selection | | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Chinese And Thai |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Sony Pictures |
| Release Date: 4/1/2008 |
| Running Time: 127 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1984 | | Catalog ID: 10130 | | UPC: 00043396101302 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: French, Spanish, Thai, Chinese | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1985) | | | Pat Morita, Nominee, Best Supporting Actor | |
Golden Globe (1985) | | | Pat Morita, Nominee, Best Supporting Actor |
| Memorable Quotes| "Now use head for something other than target."----Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) to Daniel (Ralph Macchio) | | "How did you do that?!"----Daniel, after Miyagi chops the head off of three bottles with his hand|"Don't know. First time."----Miyagi | | "Wax on, wax off."----Miyagi, teaching Daniel karates moves |
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...THE KARATE KID exhibits warmth and friendly, predictable humor, its greatest assets..." 06/22/1984 p.C16Variety
"...[Morita] is simply terrific, bringing the appropriate authority and wisdom to the part. His timing and understated humor are also impeccable..." 05/23/1984 Chicago Sun-Times 10 of 10
The Karate Kid was one of the nice surprises of 1984 -- an exciting, sweet-tempered, heart-wa - Roger Ebert
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