#250 - The Karate Kid (1984)

·1 hr 21 min·5 clips

Raul describes a Japanese horror film where a mother may be collecting life insurance on dead family members.

The episode begins with Raul describing a Japanese horror mockumentary called 'Saiko the Large Family', part of the 'Banned from Broadcast' series, which features a hidden story about a mother potentially killing family members for insurance. Dan then shifts the discussion to 'The Karate Kid', prompted by his sister watching 'Cobra Kai' without having seen the original. They note the film's 40th anniversary and its setting in the San Fernando Valley, listing other 80s films set there like 'Valley Girl' and 'Weird Science'. The hosts debate a popular internet theory that Daniel LaRusso was actually the bully, analyzing the beach scene where Johnny breaks Ali's radio. They praise the film's efficient storytelling and iconic moments like the skeleton crew fight and Mr. Miyagi's training montage. The conversation covers Pat Morita's performance, including the scene where Mr. Miyagi reveals his wife and unborn child died in a WWII internment camp. They discuss the film's soundtrack, including songs like 'Cruel Summer' and 'You're the Best Around'. The hosts also explore the legacy of 'The Karate Kid', its sequels, and the new film 'Karate Kid Legends' starring Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. They mention Elizabeth Shue's soccer skills and her brother Andrew Shue's MLS career. The episode concludes with trivia about the film's budget, box office, and the yellow car given to Daniel.

As heard by us

A warmly argumentative Karate Kid revisit that challenges Johnny-as-victim readings while savoring the film's analog charm.

Raul and Dan give The Karate Kid a lively revisit just after its 40th anniversary, letting the conversation bounce from a soundtrack detour, including a Kokomo correction, into a firmer argument about Daniel LaRusso, Johnny, and the old claim that the movie has its sympathies…

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Why you'd press play

You get a lively Karate Kid conversation that settles hard on Johnny, not Daniel, as the bully.

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