"The Karate Kid" A Perfect Movie From the 80s
Video version of blog here:
"The Karate Kid" (1984) is a perfect movie because of long takes, film composition, connectivity in story, real emotion, and it's not overwritten.
Long shots
One shot is 5 full minutes! (5m 18s)
Long takes are benefitial to a movie because you can’t “flimsy up the numbers” in the edit by using different takes and cutting them together. In essence, it captures a real moment in time. They were acting on a set, but they all worked together to make those words on a page real.
It doesn’t matter if every line or movement is perfect when it’s a long take because the actors and audience are all going through it together. It’s like a play in that way.
Start 30s in. This video illustrates the technical side long takes
Film Composition
Daniel and his Mom talk in the foreground, while the Cobra Kai-ers (antagonists) are presumably plotting to jump Daniel on his bike (which happens in the next scene) in the background. Great use of two different stories happening in frame with different tones.
Connections & Flow
Daniel and his Mom get into a verbal fight after Daniel throws his bike in the dumpster after being jumped. Daniel hates how they moved across the country and how he needs to take karate to defend himself. This all takes place in front of Mr. Miyagi’s door.
Mr. Miyagi fixes his bike and eventually teaches Daniel karate.
Another connection that leads to good flow of story is Daniel & Mr. Miyagi talk about the Halloween dance with the “ingredients” to his DIY costume in the background.
Real Emotion
The acting and directing are fantastic especially in the confrontational scenes. The long takes help the acting feel authentic. There is no “winking” to the camera.
Not Overwritten
Mr. Miyagi doesn’t speak perfect English so the writer(s) are very deliberate with what & how much he says.
Also an errant line from one of the Cobra Kai-ers to Daniel is “It must be take a worm for a walk week” which may be the best line in Cinema history.
Another savvy writing & directorial move is Daniel & Ali having a perfect first date and then something happens at the end where the Cobra Kai-ers drive past and make them feel bad for Daniel’s Mom driving them. That hiccup at the end leaves the characters & audience wondering if they’re still into each other. It’s a wonderful nuance for them to include for an added dynamic to this certified cinema classic.
Only Note
The only thing I don’t like is how Ali is cold to him after he sees her get kissed by her ex. If anything he should’ve been upset with him, but either way it was a classic case of not communicating.