MovieChat Forums > Cobra Kai (2018) Discussion > The Crane Kick's legacy

The Crane Kick's legacy

posted 6 years ago by [deleted]
13 replies | jump to latest

In the first film we were told that the Crane kick was unstoppable if done right. The movie centered around that kick. In part II we see Chozen successfully block it. So was Daniel doing it wrong or was it really not as unstoppable as you might think?

Part III comes along and Terry Silver dismisses the kick as "That Crane crap," assuring Daniel that it won't work.

Now in Cobra Kai we're told that it was a borderline illegal move and probably shouldn't have been used in the tournament. However, it was easy enough for Johnny to teach it to Miguel, who then used it himself on some jobber in the first round of the tournament. Makes you think it can't be that great of a move.

So what is the deal with this kick? Is it unstoppable? A joke move? Easily duplicated? Illegal?

[–] strntz (10790) 6 years ago

The Crane Kick is a TV/Movie move.

But if we go by canon, Miyagi said "if done right, no can defense". So either Daniel didn't execute it perfectly against Chozen or Miyagi was wrong.

It's one or the other.

Terry Silver had his own agenda and his own style of martial arts. Either he believed the crane move was crap or he was worried that Daniel would ultimately defeat Barnes with it, so he wanted it out of the equation.

It's one or the other.

But, I LOVED the fact that Miguel used it in the first round. The look on both Johnny and Daniel's faces during that scene was priceless.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Now that I think about it, perhaps Terry Silver really did worry about that kick being effective against Barnes. If he really thought it was crap he should have just let Daniel use it. Barnes would have blocked it and it would be another point for the Cobra Kai team.

[–] strntz (10790) 6 years ago

...and just to add - Silver also dismissed the kota stuff Daniel-san was doing, and *that* ultimately led to Barnes' defeat.

[–] Juschill (779) 6 years ago

In Karate Kid canon it's unstoppable.

In the real world it's a jumping front snap kick. Hardly unprecedented.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Someone would have to be a complete idiot to try it in a real fight (though I'm sure it made its way into a few 1985 bar fights), but it just seems like the way it's treated by the movies and the show is incongruous.

[–] Sandman81 (1501) 6 years ago

The Crane Kick might be unstoppable against an opponent whose never seen it before and isn't expecting it. Chozen was trained by Sato who was trained by Myagi's father, so he probably knew that move and was ready for it. It's the perfect move against an impatient and overly aggressive opponent, like a Cobra Kai.

[–] whatwazdat (374) 6 years ago

Nice explanation for the movie universe. That was exactly my thoughts, Sato and Miyagi had the same teacher. In reality, I'm not even sure you can use it against a layman.. There is one knee in the air, if you're a layman, maybe you can be excused for not knowing a kick is coming. But if you're Johnny from Cobra Kai, who is a black belt, how the heck do you not know your foe wants to kick?

It's a kick for the movies. LOL!

[–] wearsalan (5554) 6 years ago

Maybe he did know he was going to kick but thought he could beat him to the punch so to say.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Comedian Gary Gulman has a pretty funny bit about the crane kick and Miyagi's claim that "no can defend." It's at about 4:40 of this link (whole bit is pretty funny but the crane kick part is around 4:40)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hUGNJu0_gnc

[–] kenburke (2279) 6 years ago

The simplest defense against the crane kick - duck.

[–] newguy33 (318) 6 years ago

Or just defend your face properly (like in boxing) - which most karate practicioners don't do by the way.

[–] wearsalan (5554) 6 years ago

Would also have helped if Johnny hadn't run on to it.

[–] liscarkat (16483) 3 years ago

The crane position, which is always accompanied by a dramatic swell in the music, is a joke. Just about any person who is athletic enough to be able to stand up without a walker can do that pose after three or four seconds of practice. Clever ones can accomplish it on the first try.