Did you ever get emotional watching the ending of the original 1984 ‘Karate Kid’ or are you a robot? Or worse, were you deprived of the heartfelt coming of age film in your youth?
My breath still catches anytime I watch the iconic crane kick moment; like it’s going to end differently. I am still moved by the triumphant musical score as Johnny Lawrence hands the trophy to Daniel LaRusso and the camera focuses in on Mr. Miyagi’s faithful, grinning face. I must have been about eight or nine years old when I first saw the ‘Karate Kid’ on TV, so ‘Cobra Kai’ was immediately added to my Netflix watch list ever since it joined the platform. Before that I had seen some advertisements for it on YouTube, but didn’t realize it was a full-on show. I assumed it was some kind of reunion or a prank, considering how frequently William Zabka and Ralph Macchio have poked fun at themselves and the film over the years.
Finally, after making my way through several others shows and films on my lineup, I got to this gem. I am so glad that I did because it is a whole lot of fun and I zipped through the three seasons in about two weeks.
‘Cobra Kai’ has high approval ratings (90% and up for all three seasons on Rotten Tomatoes) and for good reason. Unlike most shows and films trying to reboot the same plot, making for a cheap and often over the top goofy/embarrassing/desperate rendition of itself, ‘Cobra Kai’ respects the passage of time. 30+ years of these characters’ lives have past and the show does an excellent job of introducing Johnny and Daniel as “new” characters who have been living lives since we last saw them take it to the mat. Information is not crammed down audiences’ throats, but gradually weaved into the storyline as the seasons progress.
The show’s approach to the feud between the two nemeses works for both “old” fans and newcomers. It even kicks off the series with a new Daniel-esque character entering the storyline. At first, I was a bit worried, because on several counts Miguel Diaz IS the gen Z version of Daniel LaRusso. I for one didn’t want a rehashed version of the ‘Karate Kid’. For a good portion of the first season you can predict every step Miguel is going to take. Until you can’t anymore, because the writers “flip the script”.
This show can be a bit over dramatic at times (what teen show isn’t?). However, it finds a balance between old and new. It includes the right amount of cheesy flashbacks, nostalgia for fans of the 80’s classic(s) and introduces new characters that will throw the older generation into their place. I don’t know about you, but I am here for all the moments Johnny is educated by his students because his lack of knowledge surfaces. Moments like when Miguel shows his concern over Johnny’s reluctance to allow a female to join the dojo, quickly followed by Aisha absolutely obliterating any preconceptions Johnny has about a girl’s capability in the practice. Or when he had no idea what Eli meant by “on the spectrum” and told him to “get off it, pronto”. These moments don’t cause too much offence, because Johnny is not ill-intentioned, but uneducated. Headstrong, but not entirely unwilling to change. The writers seem to know and understand what their audience wants to see. Something I think shows like ‘Fuller House’ didn’t quite land.
I found Daniel more difficult to like than Johnny, which shocked me, because who didn’t love Daniel in the ‘Karate Kid’ movies? Then again, I personally tend to root for the underdog and Daniel is no longer the underdog. He enters the series with a pretty cocky attitude as the CEO of a successful car dealership. This newfound unlikability continues on for majority of the first season until he approaches his anger toward Johnny and the Cobra Kai in a different light by starting his own dojo.
I love how many actors from the original film(s) have returned to the show, either as a guest appearance or as a focal point to the plot. Each returned character helps to drive the story forward in one way or another and serves a greater purpose than spiking views for an episode. Kreese is once more a main antagonist to stir up all the major trouble. Ali returns to teach Johnny how to let the past stay in the past. Kumiko and Chozen (from The ‘Karate Kid Part II’) make an appearance to show Daniel that you can move forward and change, etc.
This show works so well because of how it has balanced an older generation and newer generation. No one overpowers the other. I am as engaged with the storylines of all the new characters as I am with the existing characters. Considering how much Mr. Miyagi stressed balance in his teachings, I think this show nailed it.
Season 4 is confirmed to hit Netflix later this year and I am definitely looking forward to some more laughs, cheesy nostalgia and badass karate fights.
“You ready?”
“Let’s begin!”
Were you a fan of the original 1984 ‘Karate Kid’? Are you a fan of ‘Cobra Kai’? What were some of the highlights of the first three seasons for you? What are you hoping for in the next season?