THE KARATE KID

US, 1984, 121 minutes, Colour.
Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elizabeth Shue.
Directed by John G.Avildsen.

The Karate Kid caught the imagination of filmgoers during the mid-'80s. The film was directed by John G. Avildsen, who had won an Oscar for making Rocky (and a number of the sequels). This time, the sport's focus is on martial arts with its training and its discipline. Pat Morita appears as Mr Miyagi, the old Japanese- American coach who trains Ralph Macchio to become the champion against all comers, especially those who are ambitious and those who double-deal in order to win competitions. The film was so popular that there were two sequels as well as a fourth film, directed by Avildsen, which focused on a young girl being a karate champion. She was played by later Oscar winner Hilary Swank, The Next Karate Kid.

This film has a lyrical and idealistic tone to it, whereas the next films played more to expected conventions. The romantic lead in this film is played by Elizabeth Shue, who was to go on to a successful career in the '90s and beyond.

1. An entertaining and popular film of the '80s? Enjoyment and message? American optimism?

2. The work of John G. Avildsen - especially his direction of Rocky? Rocky as a model for this genre of film?

3. The background of Newark, New Jersey and its crowdedness, industry? The travel through the United States? The arrival in California - a land of dreams? Television Land? The difference from west coast to east coast? Class differences, school?

4. The musical score, the contribution of the songs - especially 'The Moment of Truth' and 'You're the Best'?

5. The old story of the underdog making good? A variation on the Cinderella theme, the Rocky theme? For adolescents and parents? Impact? Audience familiarity with the story and consequent expectations, delight?

6. The film's comment on American cities, American city life? The hopes for California? The range of people living in California, racial backgrounds? The Japanese-Americans? The appeal of the film for the American public? universal?

7. California dreaming? Daniel's mother and her hopes, the description of the home and the pool, the job? The disillusionment of the pool? The promotion in her job? Wanting Daniel's support? Her bringing him up, concern about his injuries? Her taking him by car for the date - with the humour of their having to push it? The taunts by the bullies that Daniel was a mother's boy? The importance of the focus on this single parent and her bringing up the child? (The absent father - the need for father-figure?)

8. Daniel as hero - in Newark, the trip across America, his consenting to go to California but not being willing? His exasperation towards his mother after he had been bullied? The arrival, the pool, the friendship with Freddie (but the fickle touch after the fight on the beach)? The eccentric old lady? The invitation to the party, enjoyment on the beach, meeting Ali and the girls? His bouncing the ball on his knee and his soccer skills? The encounter with Johnny and the group on the bike? His defending Ali and her radio? His being pushed around, hurt and humiliated? The further bashings - at the soccer practice, with the bike? His decision to train again in karate - and the irony that Johnny was at the school?

9. Mr. Miyagi: the introduction to him as caretaker, fixing things, coming to fix the tap? First impressions? His graciousness in fixing the bike? His background: Okinawa, his fisherman father and passing on the skills of fishing, designing Bonsai trees, karate? The experience, of the war, his enlisting, the internment of Japanese-Americans?, the telegram about the death of his wife and child? His keeping the anniversary, drinking, sharing it with Daniel, the photo and the telegram? A pleasant wise old man (with the visual impact, for example, of the Yoda from the Star Wars trilogy)? His working on the Bonsai trees, concentration, helping Daniel to work on the trees, the gift to his mother? His saving Daniel with karate and the sudden change in relationship?

10. The discussion about karate? His amateur status - but his knowledge and experience? Mr. Miyagi taking Daniel to the school and making the bargain to the director? Daniel testing out Johnny at school e.g. about the history lesson? Telling Ali that he was immune until the contest? Daniel's pledge to Mr. Miyagi to obey him for training, the gift of the headband? Mr. Miyagi's Japanese house - produced almost as if by magic? The job of waxing the cars, painting the fence, sanding the floor? His wanting to give up - and then realising the meaning of the strength by the exercises? Gaining his balance in the waves, standing on the podium?

11. The quality of the bond between the two? Mr. Miyagi and his age, wisdom, dignity? His not having a son? Daniel as friend, as son? The ease between the two, their easy talk. mutual appreciation? Daniel's courtesy to Mr. Miyagi? The humorous episode of the Halloween disguise as the shower? Mr. Miyagi taking Daniel to the tournament - and not being exactly prepared but relying on wits?

12. Ali as pleasant heroine? On the beach. attracted towards Daniel. the clash with Johnny? Her friendship with Daniel at school? The outing (her wealthy home and the embarrassment of having to push the car? Daniel standing on the brick and loosening it?), the clashes - Daniel at the Country Club, seeing her dance with Johnny, falling with the spaghetti? Ali's hitting Johnny? The reconciliation? The various outings, the car? Her support at the tournament? Ali and Daniel acting like young teenagers - with ease? The background of school. Ali's friends etc.?

13. Johnny as wealthy, arrogant? Breaking off with Ali? Pushing her round at the beach? leader of the pack? The bikes? The clash at school, at the soccer practice? The group bashing Daniel with his bike? Their work at the karate school? Agreeing to the deal not to touch Johnny until the championship? The skeleton clothes for the Halloween - and Johnny being wet by the hose? The Country Club and his kissing Ali, her hitting him? His vindictiveness in the competition?

14. The presentation of teenage groups, peer pressure, the brutal touch?

15. The background of the club - Mr. Miyagi's theory about bad teachers? The ex-soldier and his vindictive training? Bad attitude, no mercy etc.?

16. The atmosphere of the tournament after the training? The heats. Daniel's ignorance, his strength and its paying off? The various bouts and the defeat of the bullies? Daniel's being hurt deliberately, Mr. Miyagi's healing power and the decision to go on?

17. The final confrontation against Johnny? Excitement? The karate theory - Daniel not having to fight but being able to defend himself? The karate philosophy of courage, balance?

18. An optimistic picture of American society, relationships, needs and hopes? A teenage hero?