“The Karate Kid,” starring Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio, is viewable but not embeddable from Hulu.
Teenager Daniel Larussa (Macchio) moves to California from New Jersey with his mother. He befriends a local handyman (Morita) who begins to teach him karate - in an unconventional fashion. The film holds up awfully well for its time, and it’s primarily a coming-of-age, rather than martial arts film. Formulaic and predictable? Sure. Completely charming and a pleasure to watch? Also true.
Comics-related note: DC Comics has a character named “The Karate Kid” — Columbia sought (and received) permission to name the film “The Karate Kid,” and DC Comics received acknowledgment in the credits. Elisabeth Shue stars as Ali Mills, Daniel’s love interest in”The Karate Kid.” It’s only her third role, and she’s completely lovable in it. (This film started an adolescent crush for me that only intensified with 1987’s “Adventures in Babysitting.”)
– Matt Price