How can I review a film I’ve loved since I was a child? Simple answer: not critically! In my humble opinion, ‘The Karate Kid’ is an almost flawless film. It tells a timeless story very well, helping along by a heart-warming relationship between the two leads of Daniel-San and Mr. Miyagi. Daniel-San is the ultimate under-dog (yes, even more so than Rocky Balboa!), a foreigner in a foreign land. He’s bullied and beaten by the popular boys to the point where you can’t help but root for him (but if you’re not rooting for him from the very beginning, you have no soul).
Along for the ride are brilliant 80s tunes, an interesting and different love story, and, of course, the immortal Mr. Miyagi’s unorthodox karate lessons.
Is there anything negative to say about it? Not really!
Hammy’s Rating: 5/5
Memorable Scene
So many…
Mr. Miyagi saving Daniel-San from the bullies
Final tournament match
Memorable Quote
‘Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good, everything good’
‘Wax on, wax off’
Related Reviews
Click here for my (full!) Review of The Karate Kid Part 2 (1986)
Click here for my Quick Review of The Karate Kid Part 3 (1989)
Click here for my Quick Review of The Karate Kid (2010)
Hammy Reviews 
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