While it might be easy to dismiss "The Karate Kid" as essentially a retelling of "Rocky" for kids where boxing is replaced with karate, the film is nonetheless a simple happy tale of good triumphing over evil. The over-the-top caricatures of the villains is counter-balanced by the seemingly realistic humanity of Mr. Miagi and the paternalistic relationship that develops between himself and his young apprentice. Overall, a solid family film that deserves recognition as such.

Mr. Miagi is great! The movie not so much.

Elisabeth Shue was definitely hot here..