Karate Kid History

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Karate Kid

The Karate Kid is an American Martial Arts film production created by Robert Mark Kamen and directed by John G. Avildsen in 1984.

It is the initial installation of Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue and Billy Zabka in the Karate Kid franchise.

The karate kid follows Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who is an adolescent who learned Japanese Karate from Mr Miyagi (Pat Morita) originating in Okinawa to help defend himself against antagonist bullies and participate for the All Valley Karate competition.

Signing for a picture that aimed to resemble Avildsen's former hit, Rocky (1976), Kamen had contracted with Columbia Pictures.

When Kamen wrote the screenplay, he took inspiration from his own experiences.

 As a result, he held strong views about cast and actively requested Pat Morita's collaboration.  

Immediately after the final editing of the picture was completed, preparations for the film started and the casting took place between April and June 1983. Main photography and videography began in Los Angeles California on 31 October 1983 and filming ended on 16 December 1983.

On 22 June 1984, in the United States the Karate Kid was released to box offices.

The movie was largely given favorable critical reviews, many of which complimented action, screenplay, plot, acting and music making it a cult favorite.

The picture also was a box office achievement that amounted to more than $130 million worldwide sales and became one of the most iconic Hollywood films of 1984.

The film is particularly noteworthy for kicking off Macchio's life as an actor, and for revitalising Morita's acting career as a leading comedian.

Morita has been named to the Academy of Best Supporting Actor award. He gives credit to Fumio Demura of Santa Ana California for his role in creating the Character of Mr. Miyagi, and performing stunt work.

The Karate Kid established a media empire and was recognized as popularizing karate in the US.

Plot of Karate Kid 1

Daniel moves to Receda California with his mother from New Jersey.

She has a beautiful new job but Daniel soon learns that the local blonde surfing community does not match up for a dark-haired italian lad with Jersey accent.

Daniel tries to get away from a few battles, but at last he is trapped by a number of bullies from the local Cobra Kai Karate School.

When Daniel gets jumped, he discovers Mr. Miyagi, an old bonsai gardener who saves him by fending off a half-dozen adolescents with Karate.

Miyagi and Daniel eventually find out the local Cobra Kai Karate Teacher is the true reason for the aggressive behavior of the pupils.

Miyagi pledges to teach Daniel karate and organizes a tournament registration upcoming in a few months at the all-valley competition.

Daniel doesn't comprehend what he's shown when his unconventional training begins.

Miyagi looks more interested in Chores than teaching him Karate.

Daniel paints fences and wax vehicles which turns out to actually be training.

The Official Movie Summary Here:

"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 diffcult 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 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."

Karate Kid Cast

Ralph Macchio

Pat Morita

Elisabeth Shue

Martin Kove

Randee Heller

William Zabka

Ron Thomas

Rob Garrison

Chad McQueen

Tony O'Dell

Israel Juarbe

William Bassett

Larry B. Scott

Juli Fields

Dana Andersen

Frank Burt Avalon

Jeff Fishman

Ken Daly

Karate Kid 2

Karate Kid 2 (Officially titled The Karate Kid Part II) is an American martial-arts movie directed in 1986 by John G. Avildsen, written in 1986 by Robert Mark Kamen.

This will be the second entry in the Karate Kid franchise, made famous by Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita from the 1984 film The Karate Kid.

Karate Kid 2 is played by Daniel LaRusso (Macchio). He is accompanying his Karate Sensei, Mr. Miyagi (Morita), in order to see his dying father in Okinawa. Along the way they find more drama waiting for them in Japan, including an old Karate rivalry.

Preparation for a sequel quickly began following the success of the first Karate Kid movie.

Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita were re-signed upon completion of the final box office hit and further casting took place from May to July 1985.

Production started in Los Angeles in September 1985 and scenes were filmed in December 1985. Oahu, Hawaii represented Okinawa in the movie, was used to imitate the site.

Plot of Karate Kid 2

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Karate Kid 2 Cast

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