March 5, 2010   Last weekend one of the networks ran all THREE of the Karate Kid movies – the ones with Ralph Macchio and “Mr. Miyagi”. This is how I found out that there is a new Karate Kid movie coming out. Ahhhh…. remakes. Can you really improve on a classic?

My children and I watched the first Karate Kid and I recalled how much I liked that movie, what a great message it had and how it presented the martial arts in a way that shows the practice of karate is more than a physical activity. It is also a way to shape your inner self. Watch it again and see how much this holds true.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from this movie:

“…why train?…So I won’t have to fight… ”

Daniel: Hey – you ever get into fights when you were a kid?
Miyagi: Huh – plenty.
Daniel: Yeah, but it wasn’t like the problem I have, right?
Miyagi: Why? Fighting fighting. Same same.
Daniel: Yeah, but you knew karate.
Miyagi: Someone always know more.
Daniel: You mean there were times when you were scared to fight?
Miyagi: Always scare. Miyagi hate fighting.
Daniel: Yeah, but you like karate.
Miyagi: So?
Daniel: So, karate’s fighting. You train to fight.
Miyagi: That what you think?
Daniel: [pondering] No.
Miyagi: Then why train?
Daniel: [thinks] So I won’t have to fight.
Miyagi: [laughs] Miyagi have hope for you.

~ The Karate Kid, 1984

~ Paula Aburto Zaragoza
March 5, 2010