| The Karate Kid | 
| List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $4.48
You Save: $15.47 (78%)
Buy New/Used from $3.90
Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 150 reviews)
Sales Rank: 22825
Category: DVD
Actors: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove, Randee Heller
Director: John G. Avildsen
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Studio: Sony Pictures
Brand: Sony
Label: Sony Pictures
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 127 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Pan & Scan
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: COLD04069D
ISBN: 0800179501
UPC: 043396040694
EAN: 9780800179502
ASIN: 0800179501
Release Date: April 14, 1998
Theatrical Release Date: June 22, 1984
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 What a great DVD! January 11, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This DVD has a lot of great extra features. I am glad that I own it.
The Classic Underdog Story August 31, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The Karate Kid" could have been 80s drivel, a nonsensical teen movie with very little redeeming qualities. Fortunately, "Kid" rises far above that, being not only an underdog story like "Rocky" (also from director John Avildsen)but also a companionship story and a bit of a love story. Rumor has it that the screenwriter wrote the script after seeing an article in the local paper about a teenage boy who defended himself against bullies by taking karate. A very simple concept, and yet one that works for several reasons. First, everyone can relate to the underdog story. Daniel's discomfort over moving away from home (New Jersey) to go across country to California, at a very crucial time in his life (high school) is not foreign to any of us. All of us have been in this position, in some form, at one time or another. Daniel is desperate to fit in, in a place where as a darkheaded Italian, he sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb around blonde Californians. A bit stereotypical, yes, but effective. The girl of his dreams is blonde and he meets her on the beach. His arch-nemesis is blonde, "hunky" in the teen sense, wealthy and does all the right things. The complete opposite of Daniel, who rides a bike and whose mom drives an old olive green station wagon with the embarrassing habit of stalling in wealthy neighborhoods. With so much stacked against him, we want Daniel to win.
Second, the casting makes it work. This was a relatively "little" film with a minor budget. No big names, no movie stars. Ralph Macchio gives a breakout performance as Daniel; Pat Morita is so perfect as his mentor and friend, Mr. Miyagi, could anyone else have ever played this part? Elisabeth Shue, as the girl of Daniel's dreams, gives Ali enough real qualities that she doesn't come across as a cardboard cutout that Daniel is pining for. William Zabka always seemed to play the bully in 80s movies and for good reason. His Johnny is cocky, smarmy and inflated with his own self-importance, not to mention a large amount of hostility toward outsiders.
Thirdly, and most importantly, this movie works so well and is such a classic because of the chemistry between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. This movie is really about more than just karate, although karate is a large part of it. It's really about the relationship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. Both are completely alien to the other in the beginning, they both eye each other warily, the boy from New Jersey and the older man from Japan. Soon, Mr. Miyagi becomes Daniel's savior, then his mentor and finally, his best friend. It's a sweet and touching metamorphosis and more of a "love story" than the storyline involving Ali, which seems to be more of an "opposites attract" thing.
Regardless, the conclusion of the film at the karate tournament is spectacular, akin to the final bout in "Rocky". Is there any question as to what the outcome is or should be? Of course not, but the journey of getting there is all the fun.
"Karate Kid" is more than worthy to adding to your home library and a feel-good film that benefits being watched again and again. Highly recommended.
Love this movie August 12, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one of my favorite movies ever. I saw this movie in the theater when I was ten and twenty years later I still love it. Great 80's music too.
 What Dubyac99 Said June 24, 2006
1 out of 7 found this review helpful
Looking for a family movie to add to the DVD collection, I recalled The Karate Kid. The young boy, the mentor, wax-on/wax-off and some Karate for excitement. Turns out our memory of this movie is 30 minutes of Pat Morita scenes.
Everything the above reviewer "Dubyac99 MC White" said is correct.
Dated and disappointing. Also, the video is grainy and the sound is just okay.
 A bit dated June 17, 2006
1 out of 9 found this review helpful
I just saw this yesterday for the first time in about 15 years. I was not terribly impressed. I like the idea, and the storyline. But after years it seems dated and unimpressive.
I was particulary thrown off by the fighting. I thought it seemed fake. I did not get captured up into the excitement of it. I know the first time I saw it was in the theater. I don't think we even had a VCR when this came out.
I really liked Elizabeth Shue, and it reminded me how many movies she plays the nice girl next door. Or the girlfriend. She really does well in this roll, as she does in many other movies.
I had forgotten about the "friend" that our "kid" meets when he moves into the new apartment building. He was so friendly to him helping him bring his bike upstairs. But where is he at school? This made no sense to me. I think the director should have had a few scenes where his new friends were with him at school. Suddenly, the kid is alone. Yet he has all this charisma and charm to be next to his new girl. And costantly at the irk of his new found nemesis.
Okay, so he's from the wrong side of the tracks, and this girl lives in a mansion? Why do they even go to the same highschool? Its not a private school, its a public school. And students go to public schools in their neighborhood. If he's from Reseda (spelling) and she's from the hills, than why are they even on the same planet?
None of this made sense to me. But ignoring this, I thought the final fight scene would be great. And everything would be well again. But it had totally lost its lustre in my eyes. No more excitement, just stupididty.
I didn't like this movie too much on DVD. Kind of corny. I meant to give it 3 stars.
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