MovieChat Forums > Cobra Kai (2018) Discussion > Did anyone NOT like this show?

Did anyone NOT like this show?

posted 6 years ago by Jehosaphet (1055)
20 replies | jump to latest

Like another poster was saying, I saw the original Karate Kid movie at about 10 years old, came out of the theaters with my friends and I judy chopping each other...only stopping for the sequel lol
It really grabbed us as kids, and I couldn't wait to see this new series...looked it up on IMDB, holy crap, a 9.2! YES! Called my buddy, "you GOTTA check this out, they really did it!! SWEEP THE LEG JOHNNY!!"

And I start watching it...and...I don't know, its pretty cheezy stuff, isn't it? I made it through the first episode, but not without first going back to IMDB, then here to Moviechat just looking for one single person that didn't like it...

There's nothing cool or edgy about not liking something everyone else does...I judy chop those pretentious bastards in the neck, but...really guys? Are we sure we're not swept up in some kind of nostalgia-induced trance here?
I wanted to like it, I'm glad it was made either way, and I don't think they're screwing it up, they're just...its like this is taking place back in the 80's too, somehow. Like it already dated. Maybe that's on purpose?

Nobody else thinks its a little corny, a little cheesy?

[–] howgamer (3644) 6 years ago

There is some cheesiness in it, but there was some in the original film as well which is why it's great. It plays so well on nostalgia while also ushering in the new kids without crapping on its original characters that it creates a great balance. I felt like i was in the 80's, but also in the present while watching. Disney should have hired these writers for the new Star Wars films.

[–] Alex (1478) 6 years ago

Really loved the writing and script. They fused the 80's and the present really well.
Also, I loved the how Daniel's wife character was written, she just starts talking and everyone comes to their senses, she's like that voice of reason that calms everyone down :D

[–] taeempy (83) 6 years ago

Some of it was cheesy, but they didn't overwhelm us with flashbacks or shout-outs to the movies. I loved how they delved into the back-story of Johnny and how he ended up the way he did. The fighting was ok. I thought the movie had much more realistic karate, but this wasn't bad.

[–] MyCousinMose (86) 6 years ago

I liked it, but sure I'll admit there were some cheesy moments. Unfortunately I think the worst part about the show was the karate lol. Most of it was way over the top, but it wasn't bad enough to make me not like it. Admittedly I probably have nostalgia goggles on but I can't figure out how to take them off.

[–] OhHeyBro (361) 6 years ago

Probably. There's lots of people with bad taste out there unfortunately.

[–] qwerty77 (3) 6 years ago

It's cheesy, but it also hits home. So many folks out there have unresolved issues from their teen years or college...seeing how the bully or jock or "other guy" ends up 30 years later is a bit like looking in the mirror at yourself and own life. It's really interesting that all of the characters in the show have flaws...no real villains, and no perfect heroes, either. Just people.

[–] weed (1) 6 years ago

i agree with you, i can see it for what it is.. but damn! nostalgia is powerful

[–] CoachGainz (453) 6 years ago

What are the cheesy parts you speak of?

This show is great! It has interesting characters, intriguing dialogue, ethical and moral debate, character exploration, layers of themes and undertones, oh and KARATE! This is the best show since breaking bad IMO.

I don't know how you could make a better show about Karate Kid. Considering the percentage of sequels and shows with promising premise have failed makes it that much better.

[–] Jehosaphet (1055) 6 years ago

Oh I couldn't say for sure what the cheezy parts were, I didn't make it past the first episode. Uh...he was out driving his car at one point, flashing back to stuff that happened in the first movie, there was some emotionally impactful-type score playing...it was just...

You know how films have smartened up over the years, for the most part, right? That scene stands out for me because it epitomizes what I was feeling watching the first episode...that it was just kind of dumbed down some.

The director painting such a direct line as to show exactly what a character is lamenting...via a flashback. We get it...he's had a tough life, he probably has some regrets, but do you sometimes drive around at night with your soul aching over some soccer goal you missed back in your Junior year at high school?

Let's say you do...then there's probably more wrong with you than having missed that damn goal. You're beating yourself up over the past, something you can't change...its tantamount to self-abuse, possibly derived from an inherent lack of self-worth or something. It was thirty years ago! Maybe your parents made you eat dog food, maybe your wife left you, whatever, but a soccer match?
And the director doesn't trust you to see that the guy's troubled, no, he's got to hold your hand to make sure you understand exactly why...which seems like dumbed-down story telling. Coupled with the "why" being such a shallow reason...it starts to look like this is some pretty simplified stuff...dumbed down some.

It just struck me as 'off'...and I really wanted to like it, had even been looking forward to it. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it was purposeful nostalgic stuff...maybe it gets better..?

[–] CoachGainz (453) 6 years ago

Yes, it's purposefully nostalgic as they wanted to grab the fans of the original. Give it another try the show builds as you go and all the character develop really well. I would say the first 2 episodes are the weakest.

[–] kenburke (2279) 6 years ago

I LOVED this show!!!

[–] Jehosaphet (1055) 6 years ago

Okay, so that's a "no" then, right? Did you really have to do all the gushing? Geesh lol

[–] kenburke (2279) 6 years ago

Don't be so serious. Relax, have fun, enjoy yourself while you can. Remember, 100 years from now you'll be rotting in a cemetery.

[–] Jehosaphet (1055) 6 years ago

Oh...I appreciate that. I was being facetious though..."all the gushing" was supposed to be an over-the-top response for you just saying you loved the show =]
I got ya, it's all good, thanks for being kind.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

This show has a power to surprise you, if you give it a fair chance.

I really didn't expect to laugh and to cry and to feel 'spiritually restless' because of a silly TV show, but this show surprised me so many times with all that.

And I usually don't like any modern stuff, or many TV shows or movies (I think all movies I even like are incredibly flawed).

But this show impressed the fjordenstein out of me.