bflynn
Final Approach
If you're a child of the 80s, you probably remember the Karate Kid movies. I recently discovered there's a Netflix series called "Cobra Kai" that picks up 30 years after the movies. Currently at 2 seasons with a third coming.
Somewhat review, somewhat because I want to vent a little. Minor spoilers ahead. Stop now if you don't want to read them - I'll leave it as a general recommendation that if you enjoyed the original movie, watch the series.
Overall, I'd give it a 7/10. Some of what they did is cringeworthy, but a lot is pretty good. I think they mostly captured the spirit of the original Karate Kid and have many of the original actors - regrettably, not Pat Morita who passed away several years ago. Ralph Macchio plays an older Daniel Rousseau and Billy Zabka is back as Johnny Lawrence. The characters for Daniel's mother and psycho sensei John Kreese are the original characters too. There's a short bit where Johnny's gang is back together, but all as "old guys". Teaser at the end that Ali might be showing back up in season 3.
Spoiler - Johnny isn't that bad of a guy and Daniel is a bit of a jerk. I think that's intentional in the scripting showing that people grow. Overall I believe a lot of characters have "acting out" written too much into their character traits.
Biggest gripe was the last episode of season 2. Without giving away too much, there's a gang fight (started because "you kissed my boyfriend"?!) at school between the two dojos that frankly should have resulted in everyone involved being in jail and headed to juvenile detention. Instead we see the next day, kids back in the dojo training. So not realistic at all, but I get they need to still have people around to have a story.
I won't go too much further right now, but do recommend the series.
Somewhat review, somewhat because I want to vent a little. Minor spoilers ahead. Stop now if you don't want to read them - I'll leave it as a general recommendation that if you enjoyed the original movie, watch the series.
Overall, I'd give it a 7/10. Some of what they did is cringeworthy, but a lot is pretty good. I think they mostly captured the spirit of the original Karate Kid and have many of the original actors - regrettably, not Pat Morita who passed away several years ago. Ralph Macchio plays an older Daniel Rousseau and Billy Zabka is back as Johnny Lawrence. The characters for Daniel's mother and psycho sensei John Kreese are the original characters too. There's a short bit where Johnny's gang is back together, but all as "old guys". Teaser at the end that Ali might be showing back up in season 3.
Spoiler - Johnny isn't that bad of a guy and Daniel is a bit of a jerk. I think that's intentional in the scripting showing that people grow. Overall I believe a lot of characters have "acting out" written too much into their character traits.
Biggest gripe was the last episode of season 2. Without giving away too much, there's a gang fight (started because "you kissed my boyfriend"?!) at school between the two dojos that frankly should have resulted in everyone involved being in jail and headed to juvenile detention. Instead we see the next day, kids back in the dojo training. So not realistic at all, but I get they need to still have people around to have a story.
I won't go too much further right now, but do recommend the series.
