The Karate Kid, from director John G. Avildsen and writer Robert Mark Kamen, features Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita—who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor—and Elisabeth Shue. Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) relocates with his mother (Randee Heller) from Newark, New Jersey to Reseda in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California. Almost immediately, Daniel feels like he doesn’t fit in and quickly draws the ire of Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), who is the former boyfriend of Ali Mills (Shue), the only person Daniel has managed to connect with. This isn't ideal because Johnny is a skilled karate student at the Cobra Kai dojo, where students are instructed that winning is all that matters by their strict sensei, John Kreese (Martin Kove). However, help and an end to the beatings from Lawrence and his friends who enjoy bullying might arrive in the form of Mr. Miyagi (Morita), the unusual but kind handyman at the apartment complex. Eleven years after directing Rocky, considered one of the most beloved underdog stories ever made, John G. Avildsen directed this film in 1984, revisiting similar territory but aimed at a younger crowd. The resulting movie became hugely successful—grossing over $90 million domestically alone—and led to three sequels, a remake, and a significant cultural impact; it also brought karate back into the public eye following Bruce Lee’s tragic death. Its popularity is easy to understand: a nerdy young man experiences bullying from suspiciously Aryan-looking bullies, develops a warm friendship with an elderly mentor, becomes a karate hero after receiving unconventional training from that same kindly mentor, and then defeats those Aryan bullies. What's not to appreciate? As young men, we even had the all-American looks of Shue (who was 21 at the time and Macchio 23) to admire while attempting the famous "Crane Kick" alongside Daniel, often falling on our faces in the process. Certainly, some aspects appear dated now, but that age shows through with an undeniable charm from the 80s that still holds up today. Let’s get waxing on and off and remember the moment we all celebrated at the film's conclusion—a simple yet completely captivating movie. 8/10

Source on TMDB