The Karate Kid

What makes The Karate Kid kick above it's weight 23 years later is the complex and thoroughly unlikeable Daniel. He's a moaner, a whinger, and frankly at times-deserves to be bullied.
East Coast to West doesn't always travel well and this pint-sized Karateoutofabook punk must have forgotten his travel pills. He's Italian, plays soccer, and is a hothead. Daniel is different and somehow relishes his victim status at the hands of his WASP tormentors.
But people persist in liking him. His single mother is a delight, the kind of woman who lights up a room and who anyone else would love to have as a mum. Except Daniel. He dates the hotest girl in school who just happens to be the ex squeeze of his nemesis-not a smart move if you are trying to fit in. And of course his bikefixing, Karate teaching father-figure, who he frequently strops out on.
Not a nice picture.
But teenagers, even bullied ones, are not always nice. They are infuriating, lazy, explosive. In short they… more »

What makes The Karate Kid kick above it's weight 23 years later is the complex and thoroughly unlikeable Daniel. He's a moaner, a whinger, and frankly at times-deserves to be bullied.
East Coast to West doesn't always travel well and this pint-sized Karateoutofabook punk must have forgotten his travel pills. He's Italian, plays soccer, and is a hothead. Daniel is different and somehow relishes his victim status at the hands of his WASP tormentors.
But people persist in liking him. His single mother is a delight, the kind of woman who lights up a room and who anyone else would love to have as a mum. Except Daniel. He dates the hotest girl in school who just happens to be the ex squeeze of his nemesis-not a smart move if you are trying to fit in. And of course his bikefixing, Karate teaching father-figure, who he frequently strops out on.
Not a nice picture.
But teenagers, even bullied ones, are not always nice. They are infuriating, lazy, explosive. In short they are Daniel. And that's what makes this movie exceptional in teen drama. It's honest. We hate daniel as much as we want him to succeed-but he has his moments-just like all teenagers when for a split second we see the adult they will become shine through. Daniel has them but they are when others are usually not watching. The scene where Daniel puts his master to bed is one such moment-touching and human.