Karate Kid

This movie is so special to me for so many reasons, and only one of them is that I identify with much of it as a martial artist myself . Yet, I didn't become a martial artist until nearly twenty years after I first saw it, which happened to be on my first date with my husband, It was a great date movie, and lucky for us, it became an American classic.

Pat Morita teaches Ralph Macchio the art of karate, and does so in totally unique ways. As mentioned in the review previous to mine, everyone knows the "wax on, wax off" move, and the position of standing on one leg on the rock at the beach, but the funny thing is, we do it in our martial arts classes and still laugh about it. My son was outside our school washing the windows and mouthing to the rest of us, "Wax on, wax off." There's also sometimes we'll be learning something, not necessarily a technique, but sometimes a theory or thought, and it'll connect as I say, "Oh, just like in Karate Kid!"

It's not just the marital arts that makes Karate Kid special, though. Even though he's just a single guy and not a team, it's also somewhat of an underdog sports hero type of movie as he takes on an entire martial arts school that is bullying him, bringing up another classic line to us martial artists, when Daniel is asked what belt he is and Mr. Myagi replies, "JCPenney."

This is a great little movie that still holds up today! It's got a classic theme about becoming a man in the face of bullies, chaos, and disappointments. It really teaches that hard work and character pay off. Yes, it's a little fairy tale, but sometimes that's what you need to drive a point home. Share this with your kids and teenagers -- especially boys. Every boy can relate to a bully who tries to macho him into his place with bravado. It's also got a nice "respect your elders" because they're not as dumb as they look theme running through it. Rent this movie for a rainy day -- or purchase it. Your kids will thank you.

You know something is ingrained into the American culture when it shows up as a question in Cranium. Say the words "Wax on, wax off" or raise your hands in the air like King Tut while lifting one knee and anyone within earshot or sight will immediately know what you are talking about. Sure the story is not overly original and is your basic good-hearted-kid-meets-all-knowing-mentor-to-overcome-adversity-and-mature and delivers a moral countless Disney movies and fairy tales have conveyed (namely that the good of heart will win out over the win-at-all-costs mentality) but who cares? The story is well told, paced and is so highly entertaining that you forget all that stuff. Classic. Recommended for anyone and everyone.