The Karate Kid
With its classic underdog plot line , brainy mold , and pump Peter Cetera soundtrack , The Karate Kidwas nothing brusk of a cultural phenomenon . This was the movie that made Ralph Macchio a home name , put Pat Morita on the mathematical function , and plunge Elizabeth Shue ’s career .
It also observe the ethnic zeitgeist of warlike art in the 1980s with a level inspired by the real - life experience of writer Robert Mark Kamen . Directed byRocky ’s John G. Avildsen , The Karate Kidspawned three sequel and a telly whirl - off . But if all that ’s not enough , here are 10 more flick fans should seek out .
The Outsiders
The Outsidersis essential viewing for any fans ofThe Karate Kid , not least for the fact it ’s the pic that landed Macchio the part of Daniel LaRusso . He plays Johnny Cade , a tumultuous workings - form adolescent growing up in 1960s Tulsa , Oklahoma , who stop up embroiled in a deadly gang war with a rival group of boys from the rich side of town .
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola , The Outsidersboasts an unbelievable array of gift destined for big affair including Patrick Swayze , Rob Lowe , Matt Dillon and Tom Cruise , but it ’s Macchio who slip the show as the unsaved Johnny .
3 Ninjas
It ’s not vainglorious and it ’s certainly not clever , but there ’s something endearingly nostalgic about thisKarate Kidrip - off , all these years later . go by the notion that three is good than one , this kid - friendly warlike arts effort focalize on a trio of untested brothers trained in the way of ninjutsu by their Nipponese grandfather Mori Tanaka .
Things take an interesting go after Tanaka ’s former student , Hugo Snyder , hatches a program to abduct the three son . Directed by Jon Turteltaub , who go on to makeCool RunningsandNational Treasure , the first3 Ninjasmovie is an enjoyable retro - fest . Just channelize clear of the subsequence .
Best of the Best
This underrated blend ofRockyandThe Karate Kidbombed at the boxful office but enjoyed a second life story on VHS , spawning two lineal - to - video sequels . Best of the Bestcenters on a team of American martial artist opt to represent the US at an international tournament against Team Korea .
It ’s packed with star names , include Eric Roberts as a single Fatherhood hoping to make a better life for his Logos through soldierly art , and James Earl Jones as the team ’s obligatory coach . The independent nidus , however , is on Philip Rhee ’s Tommy Lee , a fighter out for payback after losing his brother in a old tournament .
Over The Top
There ’s something gloriously silly aboutOver The Top . critic and hearing hated it upon release , but it ’s far from Sylvester Stallone ’s bad celluloid . In fact , it ’s quite endearing in places and certainly make up for an entertaining watch .
It centers on Stallone ’s Lincoln Hawk , a trucker set about to heal his broken relationship with his alienated boy , Michael , following the death of his wife . It ’s no comfortable feat , specially as Hawk is en route to an arm - wrestling championship , where the prize for the winner happen to be a bad rig hand truck . episodic wooden performing and plot holes apart , it ’s a fun lookout .
Showdown
ShowdownisThe Karate Kidin everything but name . It tells the story of Ken , a teenager who just move over from Kansas with his mother . After taking a liking to local lady friend Julie , Ken ends up on the incorrect end of a beatdown from her possessive swain Tom .
Eager to fend up to him , Ken takes up karate with the assistance of his school ’s janitor Billy . Here ’s where thing get interesting . foremost , Billy is play by warlike arts caption Billy Blanks . Secondly , Billy has a score to settle with bully Tom ’s sensei , Lee . Showdownmay want finesse but it ’s fun and features some great competitiveness scenes .
Surf Ninjas
Do n’t let the presence of Rob Schneider and a dodgy hair dyestuff job put you off;Surf Ninjasis nifty . lightheaded , but cracking . This colourful martial arts clowning center on a pair of teenager surfers from LA who come upon they are the heirs to the Asian kingdom of Patusan .
All that stand between them and their throne is the nefarious Colonel Chi ( toy by Leslie Nielsen in top scenery - chewing form ) and an regular army of ninjas . One filed under the so - bad - its - good category , the fact a Sega Game Gear work a pivotal function in the plot only tot to the nostalgic fun .
Sidekicks
This sweet martial graphics funniness feature pull ahead turns from Chuck Norris and the late Jonathan Brandis . A unused whirl onThe Karate Kidformat , Sidekickscenters of Brandis ’s Barry , an wheezy kid struggling with life at school day . Tormented by bullies and often unwell , he regularly escapes into a illusion public where he guess himself as an action sensation boot coffin nail alongside Norris . finally , however , Barry decides to stand up for himself and fight back .
blend imaginative fantasy set piece with an uplifting story about a immature boy overcome life ’s obstacles , the fact Norris appears felicitous to send up his action persona only adds to the merriment .
A Dangerous Place
A severe Placeis barn - score adolescent activity at its best , and a film often below the belt miss when hash out the early 90s heyday of soldierly arts movies . When stripling Ethan ’s older brother , Greg , pass along away in unusual circumstances , the police determine he took his own animation . But Ethan suspect something more sinister is underway .
After study Greg was heavily involved in a local martial art squad called the Scorpions , he decides to join up in the hope of find out what really occur to him . A unanimous blend of action and machination is bolstered by the comportment of Corey Feldman in a back up role .
The Sensei
Diana Lee Inosanto made her name as a martial artist and stuntwoman on the the like ofBuffy the Vampire Slayerprior to writing , directing and starring in this critically - lauded but for the most part overlooked warriorlike nontextual matter effort . Set in Colorado , in 1985 during the rise of the AIDS panic , it centers on teenager McClain Evans , a gay high school bookman who frequently finds himself a target for violent bullies .
After one potentially violent tone-beginning , McClain ’s female parent need Karen ( Inosanto ) , a martial arts teacher haunted by the loss of her pro - boxer fiancé , for help . A fresh and serious-minded take onThe Karate Kidformat .
Bloodsport
Bloodsportfamously purported to be found on the experience of Frank Dux , a genuine - life martial arts expert who claims to have been invite to take part in a secret underground fight tournament hump as the Kumite . disregarding of whether it ’s true or not , the resulting pic based on those experiences makes for thrilling , from time to time cartoonish see .
The film that help found the vocation of Jean - Claude Van Damme , who stars as Dux , Bloodsportmay be direct at an older audience but it plays more like a veridical - life version ofStreet Fighter , complete with colorful paladin and some very special moves .
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