Nothing says the 80's like The Karate Kid

Everyone has watched the movie The Karate Kid at some point. I know I have watched it many times. It was actually why I wanted the Gi in the picture above. It reminded me of the Cobra Kia gi's from the movie. I just never realized the movie came out so long ago.

The Karate Kid came out June 22, 1984. That was eighteen years before I was born. At the time of filming Ralph Macchio who played Daniel was twenty two years old. Macchio has stared in many movies since The Karate Kid. Macchio is now fifty four years old.

Pat Morita who played Mr. Miyagi had never studied Martial Arts. He learned just enough to play the role in the movie. He also had to fake a Japanese accent. Morita was born and raised in California. Many of you may remember Morita as Arnold from Happy Days. Morita passed away in November 2005 at the age of seventy three.

One of the most memorable scenes from the movie was the Crane Kick. Mr Miyagi was shot standing atop a wooden pole on the beach in this pose. That in fact was not Morita at all. It was his stunt double Darryl Vidal. Vidal is a 10th degree black belt and highly respected in the martial arts.

If you have never watched The Karate Kid you have truly missed out on a piece of the 80's. Watching the one released in 2010 is not the same as watching the original. Sit down, fire up Netflix, grap some popcorn, and enjoy!