While the legendary 1984 film helped revive the martial arts genre in the 80s, it also sparked many copycats. The most evident copycat, as well as the best, is this funny 1992 movie with Chuck Norris added to the mix. Chuck Norris isn't really a good actor, but his star power is used properly so that it elevates this film.
The late Jonathan Brandis may be best known for his tv appearances, but this may well be his best feature film. He plays asthmatic teenager, Barry Gabrewski with no friends who always daydreams about being Chuck Norris' right-hand man. These days, he would easily have been diagnosed with ADD. Barry can get so deep into his own little world that he ends up embarrassing himself. He is an easy target to bullies.
His widowed father (Beau Bridges) is a computer programmer who will do anything for his son. At first, he talks to crazy sensei, Kelly Stone (Joe Piscapo) about Barry attending his dojo, but Stone is even wilder than his "Karate Kid" counterpart, John Kreese.
Barry's favourite teacher, Noreen Chan enlists her uncle to be Barry's private sensei, Mr. Lee, played by Mako, who played Chuck Norris' mentor in the film "An Eye For An Eye," so casting him as the Mr. Miyagi counterpart was a good choice. Lee is a restauranteur whose chemistry with Barry is great, nearly as good as Daniel and Miyagi. He helps Barry overcome his fears and asthma, and control his daydreams.
Eventually, Barry gets good enough to enrol in a major tournament. And who should make a guest appearance at the tournament? None other than Barry's idol in the flesh. Noreen actually talks him into competing in their team. Chuck Norris stepping out of Barry's dreams and into his corner is actually better than you would think. Norris and Kelly Stone actually know each other, so them fighting is pretty fun too. There isn't a major final fight like Daniel and Johnny Lawrence, but we don't seem to mind what is presented.
Everybody is so over-the-top that you can't help but laugh at everything. I mentioned Stone, but Barry's peer bully plus his gym teacher (Richard Moll) are funnily crazy too. The thing that made "The Karate Kid" so good was that everything seemed legit. The only things in this that seem normal are Barry's dad and Noreen.
So this movie isn't truly good, but not very bad either. It takes serious skill to make a bad movie with so much heart and enjoyment. Okay, maybe that's a little far-fetched, but the movie is good. If Chuck Norris and a cast of well-known stars weren't in this, then it would have sucked. Only people of this talent could pull their own weight and make this silly Karate Kid rip-off watchable and enjoyable.
3/4
The late Jonathan Brandis may be best known for his tv appearances, but this may well be his best feature film. He plays asthmatic teenager, Barry Gabrewski with no friends who always daydreams about being Chuck Norris' right-hand man. These days, he would easily have been diagnosed with ADD. Barry can get so deep into his own little world that he ends up embarrassing himself. He is an easy target to bullies.
His widowed father (Beau Bridges) is a computer programmer who will do anything for his son. At first, he talks to crazy sensei, Kelly Stone (Joe Piscapo) about Barry attending his dojo, but Stone is even wilder than his "Karate Kid" counterpart, John Kreese.
Barry's favourite teacher, Noreen Chan enlists her uncle to be Barry's private sensei, Mr. Lee, played by Mako, who played Chuck Norris' mentor in the film "An Eye For An Eye," so casting him as the Mr. Miyagi counterpart was a good choice. Lee is a restauranteur whose chemistry with Barry is great, nearly as good as Daniel and Miyagi. He helps Barry overcome his fears and asthma, and control his daydreams.
Eventually, Barry gets good enough to enrol in a major tournament. And who should make a guest appearance at the tournament? None other than Barry's idol in the flesh. Noreen actually talks him into competing in their team. Chuck Norris stepping out of Barry's dreams and into his corner is actually better than you would think. Norris and Kelly Stone actually know each other, so them fighting is pretty fun too. There isn't a major final fight like Daniel and Johnny Lawrence, but we don't seem to mind what is presented.
Everybody is so over-the-top that you can't help but laugh at everything. I mentioned Stone, but Barry's peer bully plus his gym teacher (Richard Moll) are funnily crazy too. The thing that made "The Karate Kid" so good was that everything seemed legit. The only things in this that seem normal are Barry's dad and Noreen.
So this movie isn't truly good, but not very bad either. It takes serious skill to make a bad movie with so much heart and enjoyment. Okay, maybe that's a little far-fetched, but the movie is good. If Chuck Norris and a cast of well-known stars weren't in this, then it would have sucked. Only people of this talent could pull their own weight and make this silly Karate Kid rip-off watchable and enjoyable.
3/4