Are You a Karate Kid Fan

Are You a Karate Kid Fan?

Are you a Karate Kid fan? How can you not be? Is there anything not to like about the iconic, American coming-of-age classic?

The Karate Kid movies singlehandedly raised the popularity of martial arts in this country. Also, this epic franchise is the series of movies that introduced Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, Julie Pierce, Dre Parker, and Mr. Han into the consciousness of American society. For that, America owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Robert Mark Kamen and John G. Avildsen, the writer and director of the original 1984 film.

From Daniel-San to Fresh Prince's Son

Addicted to the Karate Kid, are you? Then you're not alone. These movies are helping to define a generation of American youth, first in mid-eighties with the original movie and now in the present day with the 2010 release.

From Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita to Hilary Swank, Jaden Smith, and Jackie Chan, the Karate Kid franchise has featured some of the most likable characters in Hollywood cinema. The Karate Kid movies perfectly wed the elegance of martial arts with the exotic settings of the films.

From sunny Los Angeles to lush Okinawa to historic Boston to bustling Beijing, the varied venues of this legendary chain of films have complemented beautifully the heroic tales of valor and victory. The enduring quality of these movies is their ability to flood the lexicon of American pop culture with such memorable images as the crane kick, Cobra Kai, the bonzai tree, and "wax on, wax off."

The appeal of all five Karate Kid movies to the American public is simple enough to explain. They each embody timeless values and ideals that are woven into the fabric of what it means to be an American. You see individual determination to overcome adversity. You observe the underdog taking on the bully.

You witness the importance of the mentor-protege relationship. You behold courage, hard work, maturity, friendship, and forgiveness all on glorious display in all of these movies. Are you a fan of the Karate Kid franchise? Yes, you are, because within this series of martial arts movies, you see a little glimpse of yourself.