So I binged the rest of the season over the last couple of nights, and I thought it was a blast. There are some fun call-backs to the original of course, but they do a pretty great job of keeping the story fresh and engaging, and not relying too much on nostalgia.
The two leads both do a terrific job reprising the roles that made them famous, but William Zabka absolutely steals the show as Johnny. They've made him a more sympathetic, fleshed-out character this time around, and he's got some of the best dialogue. He's basically the protagonist of the first few episodes.
The young actors playing the kids were also quite good.
Overall, a very entertaining series with just the right mix of humor and seriousness. I hope they get to make more of these.
Spoiler!
Loved the cliffhanger/cameo at the end. The way they set things up in that last episode, you'd have to think a 2nd season is definitely in the cards.
Last edited by direwolf; 05-04-2018 at 10:11 PM.
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Was expecting a money grab with lots of B movie karate fights between rival dojos but very pleasantly surprised. Focused more on the story than fighting which made it much more enjoyable to watch. Loved the music.
This show is great (I'm through 5 episodes). Everyone should watch it... or at least everyone who liked The Karate Kid. Macchio & Zabka are utterly charming in the roles that made them famous.
Oh man...I'm on the road working and intended to use the nights in a hotel, away from the wife and kids, to be productive but binge watched this thing last night and finished today. Oh well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Well worth the cost and I found myself laughing way more than I anticipated. I've watched the original Karate Kid more than any other movie, ever. I usually stream movies and stuff through Kodi or in whatever way is free but was actually ok throwing some money at this one and paid for all 8 episodes. It's given me dozens and dozens of hours and 30 years worth of memories, so I felt it was the right thing to do.
William Zabka stole the show for me on this one. Just a great character to root for and his unpolitical correctness had me in stitches.
The stuff they incorporate from old into new was super cool - The kids going for a date at Golf n Stuff, the skeleton costume, even the small stuff like the fist pump between Diaz and Hawk before the semi final match. As a hardcore fan, I loved all that stuff.
Super happy they brought back lots of the old music too from the original.
There was definitely some super cheesy stuff. I thought Daniel teaching the kids wax on wax off was dumb.
Was hoping for more guest appearances from the old cast though. Maybe next season.
When Johnny was at the Diaz house, I pissed myself at the "In English, we call them (plantains) bananas. Pure gold.
I dunno....I didn't absolutely love it, and am not sure if non-fans would actually enjoy it, but I'm a total sucker for the original.
I crushed through the series this weekend. Agree with all the positive comments, was a really charming show, thoroughly enjoyed it. Great blend of nostalgia and modernity. The way they structured the story and character arcs of the old characters and the new kids was really well done.
It does suck that the subscription service isn't available in Canada yet, but I went ahead and paid the $2.50 per episode. I figure its actually not much more than going to see a movie these days, no big deal.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
Apparently I'm one of the rare ones who though the original was bad, I like it right up until that stupid kick at the end, seriously the guy is the best at karate in the valley and he falls for that obvious kick?
That being said I thought this reboot was great, every time I thought they were going to go to the formula corny crap they kept the story good. Wasn't a huge fan of the last few minutes but it was okay in the big picture of things. Looking forward to season 2. Love how they reenacted the old story from the "bad guy" point of view and made you feel sympathy for him.
Have to say, the big networks are dead. Besides a couple of reality shows (survivor mainly) their is nothing worth paying a cable subscription for, the good shows are streaming now.