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■>*n At the movies
Film focuses on comradeship
There’s something about
“underdog” films that in
gratiate themselves with the
public. I suppose that deep
down all of us feel like the
underdog sometime, and we
can sympathize with characters
like Rocky Balboa; we feel their
pain and share in their
triumphs.
“The Karate Kid” works on
the same principle. The main
character, Daniel (Ralph Mac
chio), is the quintessential
underdog — small, dislocated
(an East Coaster in California),
and in love with the ex
girlfriend of the school tough
guy.
The tough and his buddies
are members of a brass-balls
karate school, led by a sadistic
instructor who drills his pupils
like marines, teaching them to
strike first and show no mercy.
Daniel, who also has an interest
in karate, is effectively driven
away from that facility.
Shunned at school, Daniel
finds friendship in Mr. Miyagi
(Noriyuki “Pat” Morita), the
maintenance man at his apart
ment building. Miyagi acts as a
surrogate father to the fatherless
Daniel and agrees to teach him
karate. But Miyagi teaches
Daniel karate for defense, and
with it Daniel learns the
philosophy and spirit behind
true karate.
Saddled with an atrocious ti
tle, “The Karate Kid” comes
under ridicule from people who
have never seen it for aspects
they assume are in the film.
This isn’t a Chuck Norris action
film; it is the story of a relation
Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures
Noriyuki “Pat" Morita teaches Ralph Macchio that true karate
involves more than kicks, jabs and chops in Columbia Pictures'
“The Karate Kid. ”
ship between two displaced
outsiders.
It’s this relationship that
gives the film its spark because
of the rapport between Daniel
and Miyagi. More than just
believable, the scenes between
these two are outstanding in
their low-key, subtle approach.
Morita in particular is
outstanding here, but Macchio
too shows the courage
underneath his character’s
vulnerability without overdoing
it. The two create characters
that are likable, believable and,
most importantly, real.
The film is somewhat predic
table, but not annoyingly so.
This film is constantly and cor
rectly being compared to direc
tor John G. Avildsen’s earlier
success, “Rocky.” Like
“Rocky,” “The Karate Kid” is
all about stretching oneself
mentally, spiritually and emo
tionally, as well as physically.
Avildsen and writer Robert
Mark Kamen do stack the sym
pathy deck a little heavily in
favor of Daniel at times. When
Daniel is first beaten up by the
bruiser, Johnny, his newly
made chums practically desert
him. Whenever the school
toughs even spot him they con
tinue their rampage of terror.
The worst of the lot is the drill
sergeant instructor, who forces
his students to win at all costs,
even dishonor and cheating.
In the end, though, the
viewer is left with the light,
triumphant feeling we’re sup
posed to experience. This is a
simple story, but it’s that
simplicity that makes it so
good. Avildsen has another
winner with “The Karate Kid,”
a superb study in the relation
ship between two wonderful
characters.
The “Karate Kid” is playing
at Cinema World.
By Sean Axmaker
SAN JUAN BIKE TOUR
August 31 - September 8
Lopez • Orcas
San Juan Island • Victoria
$295 includes:
Transportation, Ferries,
Food, Camping Fees, But
chart Gardens, Victoria
Restaurant and Professional
Leadership.
$50 Deposit holds space
686-1775
6th & High
r—emu
Cash
For Textbooks
Mon. - Fri.
Smith Family
Bookstore
768 E. 13th
1 Block From Campus
345-1651
et at.
RACQIJETBALL SINGLES
competition will be held Wednes
day at 3:30 p.m. on the outdoor
racquet ball courts. Entries must
be made by noon Wednesday in
Room 103 Gerlinger.
CHEESE AND BUTTER will be
distributed from 10 a.m. until 4
p.m. today in Room 101 EMU.
CAMPUS INTERVIEWS: Sign
up immediately at the Career
Planning and Placement Service
if interested in the following
recruiters:
)uly 11 Livingston school
districts No. 4 and No. 1 (for
special education resource and
half-time preschool special
education teacher).
July 20 Massachusetts Mutual
Life Insurance (for courier, agent
trainee and internship).
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(next to Heaven’s Records)
485-8597
Tues. - Sat. 9-6
Offer good through 7/31/84
Coupon honored by
Shirla and Christine only
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